Two things everybody’s missing.
First, the pump in that promotional video seems to have a metal stay-on catch on the lever. The Gas Nozzle Widget is unnecessary for that pump.
Second, I think the OP is a little worried about a scenario like this one.
Wait, what? You get a cold beer with your unleaded?
If the auto shutoff fails you have two potential outcomes - the person squeezing the trigger sees the gas pouring out and lets go, or the person who went to get a soda while filling the tank comes back to a spewing nozzle and 30 gallons of gas on the ground.
I agree with yoyodyne. I used a faulty pump last winter. If I had used the latch instead my hand, a lot more than my shoes would have been soaked in gasoline.
If you watch the link, the Gas Widget people have that covered as it tells you at least 2 or 3 times not to get back in your car while pumping gas.
Been filling cars & airplanes for 54 years & a failed auto shut down has happened once.
I have spilled 10 times as much because of improper & misuse of the dispenser. All my fault because I am a better dummy type. :rolleyes:
Sure. It’s happened to me too (although I was cleaning my windshield at the time, and stopped it after only a couple of quarts had spilled).
The point being made by myself and others is that the widget functions no differently than the propping lever that’s already built into most gasoline dispensers in the US. Either of those devices leaves you equally reliant on the auto-shutoff system; users of either device would be well-advised to stay nearby (as depicted in Earl Snake-Hips Tucker’s video) until fueling is complete.
This thread has me surprised. The only time I’ve ever used a gas pump that didn’t have a hold latch was because it was broke! I’m stunned at the idea of them actually being illegal some places.
Given that there are legal questions involved, moved from GQ to IMHO.
samclem, moderator
Just wanted to add that 20 years ago or so, in Houston, you couldn’t find a pump that didn’t have the latch removed. That got many people to just put a bic lighter in there instead :eek:
That became rather popular, and they started having the keeper latch, again. I know there are several Houston Dopers on the board, anyone else remember this? It would have been 1986 or so.
Now, I don’t know if there was a cause and effect thing going on, but the use of a bic lighter was rather common.
Well, then what’s the point?! The only time I wedge the gas cap is if it’s beastly hot or freezing cold and I don’t feel like waiting outside (which means yes, I will also leave my vehicle running while filling, another thing that isn’t dangerous!)
No, it doesn’t. Not on any pump I have ever been at.
For the record, I usually hold the handle myself, and guess what? When the valve kicks off, I’m still holding the handle, and I guarantee you it didn’t release through my fingers.
For some reason, some people hate having to hold down the lever. I have personally, literally, never used the latch to auto-dispense gas just because I don’t care enough to do it. I suspect it’d be handy to allow you to stuff freezing-cold hands into pockets during winter, or to take a moment to clean your windshield while the gas is pumping.
So this gas thing to you is like pitbulls are to cougar58?
With a SPARKLY! If I buy a Gas Widget, does it also equip my fueling points with a SPARKLY! Because that would make filling up much more pleasant. Everything is better with a SPARKLY.
I must admit that I find it charming just how concerned Mr Gasman is with protecting us all from the danger of unregulated hold-open latches.
It’s tedious, especially with slow pumps and big tanks, and I usually use the time to clean my rear window or something else useful.
I use that time to wash the windshield and kick the tires. I never go back in the car, even when it’s cold.