Four ways you can use petrol-pumps apart from refilling fuel
What's the story
For most, 'petrol-pump' means just a fuel-refilling station. But do you know it can serve us in many more ways?
It can help us when we have roadside emergencies, facilitate urgent calls, and provide advanced first-aid and washrooms.
Most notable point? All these are for free!
Here's some ways petrol-pumps can help you that you probably don't know about.
Guideline-1
Doubt fuel tampering? Get quality and quantity check of fuel
These are part of 'Marketing Discipline Guidelines' that were made mandatory in 2016 by The Oil Marketing Companies.
The first one is a real relief: 'Quality and quantity check'. This allows us to ask for a filter-paper test for quality-check. For quantity-check too, services are available.
This will quash doubts about fuel-tampering, an ongoing trend that was pointed out by social worker Jinsha Basheer.
Guideline 2
Have a flat tire? Visit nearby petrol pump immediately
The next one is also important for your vehicles: filling air in vehicle tires.
In almost every petrol pump, there are tire-filling stations, but you either pay for its services or those are defunct. But now you know it's for free.
So next time, if the petrol pump staff asks for even Rs. 10 for filling air into tires, lodge a complaint immediately.
Guideline 3
Urgent phone-call? Medical emergency? Accident? Petrol pumps can help
As mentioned earlier, petrol pumps also come handy during medical or other types of emergencies.
First, they should have an updated, full first-aid kit for tending to an accident victim.
Also, in exigencies, any fuel station should allow you to make a phone call for free, like when you have to call up an accident victim's friend or want some help.
Guideline 4
Fellow women, traveling with heavy bladder? Go to nearby petrol-pump
Talking of emergencies, in case nature calls suddenly, you can visit petrol pumps.
Availability of toilets should come as a huge relief to women travelers, who often struggle to find clean, hygienic washrooms.
Petrol pumps are also rule-bound to have filtered water available for free. So head to the nearest pump when your bottle goes empty!
Information
What to do if you're charged for these services?
Do you know what to do if you're charged or if the toilets are filthy? You can (a) call the toll-free numbers of IOCL (1800-2333-555), HPCL (1800-2333-555) and BPCL (1800-22-4344), depending on the dealer, and (b) lodge a complaint on their websites.
Details
Dealers are mandated to check if all facilities are fine
Dealers are mandated to ensure all facilities are available.
In case a petrol-pump defaults for the first time, their sales and supplies will be suspended for 15 days, which extends to 30 days in case of second violation.
For third violation, dealership will be terminated.
For unsatisfactory toilets, petrol pumps are fined Rs. 10,000 (first-time), which keeps going up in case of repeated violations.