A BIZARRE gas pump malfunction left one driver confused and out of gas money.
Johnika Smyre, 32, went to her trusted gas station one day to find that the pump price was going up, but no gas was coming out.
WSOCJohnika Smyre lost $10 after a bizarre gas pump maulfunction[/caption] WSOCThe pump continued to charge the driver although no gas was being dispensed[/caption] WSOCThe owner said the malfunction is a computer issue[/caption]Smyre and her husband go to the station “just about every day” and have never experienced an issue like this before, local ABC affiliate WSOC reported.
The woman said her husband went inside the gas station and paid $10, but when he returned to the pump, the price went up before he could even begin pumping gas.
In a video of the unusual incident, Smyre’s husband can be seen holding the gas pump out of his car as the pump’s price continues to rise.
“He’s got a gas pump in his hand with no gas coming out of it,” Smyre said in the video.
The numbers on the pump slowly rose to $9.77 without any gas being pumped.
“In my 32 years of living, I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said.
Smyre said she complained to the manager of the gas station but got no resolution.
“I’m angry,” she told the outlet.
As Smyre talked to WSOC, a man who said he owned the gas station in North Carolina blamed the issue on a computer malfunction.
“That is a computer problem,” he said.
“So we can’t fix it.”
Smyre asked why no one from the gas station called her to fix the situation and demanded a refund.
The owner apologized and instantly agreed to refund the $10 she paid for gas.
“It don’t matter how much it was. It was my money,” she said.
“Money is money to me. I work hard for my money just like he would.”
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture, the agency responsible for inspecting gas stations, told WSOC it would send an agent to inspect the malfunctioning pump.
How To Pump Gas
There are several steps you can take to safely pump gas.
Find Your Pump
Drive up to a pump, aligning your car’s fuel tank with the nozzle. Look for the fuel indicator arrow on your dashboard or the manual to know which side your gas tank is on.
Pay for Your Gas
You can either pay at the pump with a credit/debit card or pay inside. If paying inside, give the attendant your pump number and the amount you want to spend.
Open Your Fuel Lid
Use the lever or button inside your car to open the gas tank lid, or open it manually if your car doesn’t have a lever. Unscrew the gas cap.
Pick the Right Nozzle
Grab the correct nozzle from the pump (regular, premium, or diesel). Insert it securely into your gas tank.
Select Fuel Grade
Choose the fuel grade (usually regular, mid-grade, or premium). Check your car’s manual for the recommended fuel type.
Start Pumping
Pull the trigger to begin pumping. Most nozzles have a lever that locks in place so you don’t have to hold it.
Wait for Automatic Shutoff
Keep an eye on the pump. It will automatically stop when your tank is full. You’ll hear a click when this happens.
Remove the Nozzle and Close the Tank
Carefully remove the nozzle, return it to the pump, and make sure the gas cap is tightly secured.
Get Your Receipt
If you paid at the pump, decide if you want a receipt. If you do, print it; if not, finish the transaction.
Reset Your Odometer
Inside your car, reset the fuel odometer to track your mileage. Usually, turning your car back on will reset it.
Source: AAA
The agency didn’t give a definitive answer as to why the pump wasn’t working, but said that the system may be losing pressure, causing the price and gallons to rise on its own.
Drivers who come across any faulty gas pumps should take a certain set of precautions, according to Fuel Logic.
To start, drivers should do what Smyre did and document the issue.
The site advises customers to take photos and videos of any malfunction and note the pump number as well as gas station name.
Drivers should immediately report the issue to the station manager or regulatory bodies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
If any damage was done to the vehicle, drivers should immediately seek compensation.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Driver issues PSA after she paid for gas but left station with empty tank – she was helpless as her total went up )
Also on site :