[ellincali]

Has anyone had problems pumping gas into their car? I've filled up twice now, two different gas stations (two different companies) but have had the same problem--the automatic shut-off kicks in constantly, numerous times and well before the tank is full.

I thought for sure it was just a faulty vapor-lock on the pump, but since it happened at a second station that's highly unlikely. We also fill our X3 at both these stations all the time without a problem.

I tried moving the nozzle to different angles--nothing seems to work.

Any idea what might cause this?

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by elincali

Has anyone had problems pumping gas into their car? I've filled up twice now, two different gas stations (two different companies) but have had the same problem--the automatic shut-off kicks in constantly, numerous times and well before the tank is full.

I thought for sure it was just a faulty vapor-lock on the pump, but since it happened at a second station that's highly unlikely. We also fill our X3 at both these stations all the time without a problem.

I tried moving the nozzle to different angles--nothing seems to work.

Any idea what might cause this?

Can't say for sure on this car, but on a friend's MB, the same thing happened and it turned out to be some pinched plumbing in the venting or fill behind the rear seat....somehow caused restricted flow...not sure of details. Suggest a dealer take a look.

[Ramos]

Happens to me intermittently, very annoying but it seems to get better after you have filled up half way. Also happens more if you are running very low on gas

[2msport]

Yes I've run into this as well. It's got to be pushed all the way in and held at a certain angle. Think.. Handle straight down. That seems to work pretty well. It's definitely more picky than any other car I've driven. I will say with a little work I've always been able to fill the whole tank.

[kd0t]

Wow! Thought I was the only one..

Happened to me more than 5 times on my fill-up yesterday. Pretty damn frustrating lol

[Iceman51sn]

This happened on my '09 328i all the time so I began holding the handle at an angle. I've done the same thing with this car and haven't run into the issue once. I'll try the handle straight down just to see if it happens.

[tnk210]

Happens to me about 1 in 5 fill-ups.

[2yo]

In NJ, we aren't allowed to pump our own gas. I hope this isn't a problem on mine (sitting at the port waiting to be trucked to my dealer) so I wind up asking for a fill up, the attendant thinks it's done cause it shuts off, and I wind up only getting a half of a tank. If anybody find out what it is, please let me know.

[Jeff231]

Happened to me all the time. You have to manually hold the pump sideways (gangster style) while filling up...should fix your problem.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Jeff231

Happened to me all the time. You have to manually hold the pump sideways (gangster style) while filling up...should fix your problem.

I set the handle to the highest speed at Costco and it fills completely the first time, and always has since new. I pull it after the first click with no topping-off, and the tank is full, and none has spilled or splashed. Those having this problem may still wish to have their cars examined, as it's not an inherent design characteristic with this kind of variation.

[ellincali]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I set the handle to the highest speed at Costco and it fills completely the first time, and always has since new. I pull it after the first click with no topping-off, and the tank is full, and none has spilled or splashed. Those having this problem may still wish to have their cars examined, as it's not an inherent design characteristic with this kind of variation.

Thanks to everyone for responding. I wondered if maybe it's more prevalent in CA--at least at one time our pumps were different from other parts of the country (specifically the vapor lock thing), but I imagine all states have similar pollution requirements now.

Still, it's interesting that all of you who reported having the problem are in California, while Sportstick is in Michigan and isn't having the problem. I think there'd be a lot more talk about it if everyone were in the same boat though (even in California).

I'm going to report the problem to the service department; it's more than just a little annoying.

[ellincali]

Originally Posted by Jeff231

Happened to me all the time. You have to manually hold the pump sideways (gangster style) while filling up...should fix your problem.

"Gangster style"

[pdubb]

Originally Posted by elincali

Thanks to everyone for responding. I wondered if maybe it's more prevalent in CA--at least at one time our pumps were different from other parts of the country (specifically the vapor lock thing), but I imagine all states have similar pollution requirements now.

Still, it's interesting that all of you who reported having the problem are in California, while Sportstick is in Michigan and isn't having the problem. I think there'd be a lot more talk about it if everyone were in the same boat though (even in California).

I'm going to report the problem to the service department; it's more than just a little annoying.

I have the same problem, but has gotten better over the 5 months I've had the car.
For my solution, I've found it's worse when I shove it all the way in, if I just put it in the hole and lightly press it in until it just fits in (not pushing), it works best.

When I try to shove it in and find a sweet spot for it, it shuts off, so I just lay it in there ever so slightly, push it in so its barely in there all the way, and it works great now.

Definitely a quark about this car in CA.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by pdubb

For my solution, I've found it's worse when I shove it all the way in, if I just put it in the hole and lightly press it in until it just fits in (not pushing), it works best.

When I try to shove it in and find a sweet spot for it, it shuts off, so I just lay it in there ever so slightly, push it in so its barely in there all the way, and it works great now.

We're going to have to be careful or this thread is going to get shut down for being porn!

[ciwhamc]

It happens to me at specific pumps. I am in California and it does appear to be the vapor recovery spring pushing it out of the neck a little bit. If I hold it in it works. I now know what pumps not to pull up to.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I set the handle to the highest speed at Costco and it fills completely the first time, and always has since new. I pull it after the first click with no topping-off, and the tank is full, and none has spilled or splashed. Those having this problem may still wish to have their cars examined, as it's not an inherent design characteristic with this kind of variation.

I also have never had a problem. I run full speed at ARCO and shuts off when full.

[MichaelL]

I have only filled up once as my car is new and I am also in California but I didn't have any issues pumping the gas. The auto shut off didn't trigger until it was full.... We will see maybe I got lucky?

[bacampbe]

I have had some minor problems with this. Not as bad as I had in my Miata. OTOH, my wife drove the car the other day, bought gas, and only got it 3/4 full.

I've heard this complaint on a lot of late model cars. I suspect the gas pump designers do not envision all the fill geometries used by car companies.

[HarmOG]

I noticed it when I first bought my car because I was pulling up past the pump and it seems to not like the angle that is created. Recently, I've been shorting it a little bit so that the gas camp is to the left of the pump (from pump's perspective) and now it seems to work fine for some reason.

[stroids88]

I'm in So Cal. Happens all the time. Gangster style sometimes appears to help. Haven't totally figured it out yet.

I've also had a problem 4 times with the nozzle being stuck in. Feels like I'm ripping the guts out when unsticking it.
Anyone else have nozzle stick?

[Bimmer86]

I haven't had any issues at the pump here in VA. Really does sound like a CA thing.

[ellincali]

I guess I'll rethink talking to the dealer, then. Definitely seems to be a pump/nozzle problem here in California only. Looks like I'll be exploring all possible local gas stations!