WTF? That idea (rightfully) died a while back.

[wolfie]

According to the Consumerist, hands-free gas pumps are being tried again. Back when the idea was first proposed, I had wanted to test them out to see if they could handle a '93 Excel (flap over fuel door has a latch - not lock - intended to be turned by the ignition key) - would the robot be able to overcome this? I've now got a '96 Elantra, where the fuel door is released by a lever beside the drivers' seat. These pumps are BEGGING for SCs - "The robot is supposed to do everything - why do you expect ME to unlock the fuel door?".

Bonus from the Consumerist: That Damn Singing Fish (thread title on a long-dead board) finally proves to have some value.

[csquared]

I wonder if they figured out a way to make sure you have turned off your car and put out your cigarette?

[wolfie]

There aren't too many still on the road, but in the '60s and '70s it was common to have the filler behind the license plate. Also, one model (can't recall - was mentioned in a car mag around 20 years ago) had the filler on the rearmost pillar behind what looked like a (fixed) decorative louver. According to the article, that one left a number of service station attendants confused, unable to find it.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

I wonder if they figured out a way to make sure you have turned off your car and put out your cigarette?

That and put down that ever loving cell phone.

Now that's a trick I'd like to see. You'd be surprised at the number of nimrods we see either smoking or on the phone while pumping gas.

[Ophbalance]

Neither of which is likely to start a fire. Static shock, however, is a valid concern.