adventures in refueling

It's been nasty cold the last couple of days. And since wally and I work in the same place, I've been riding with him every morning. Nola the red corolla has been left safe and warm in the garage and I've enjoyed the "sweet ride" the Infiniti G37 sedan has to offer - namely "HEATED SEATS". Now that's luxurious....

Wally needed to go over to the clinic at the university today, and I have been putting off going to the bank, post office and paint store because it was too dang cold to walk the two blocks from the office. And considering he would be at the clinic all afternoon, he suggested I drive him over, drop him off and then go do the few errands on my list. ( I have been carrying my paycheck in my purse since the 15th...I really had to go to the bank!) It sounded like a great idea.

As we were headed over to the university, Wally said, " If you're driving around, you should fill up with gas. It's getting low."

That was a reasonable request. Confident that I possessed the skill set necessary to "fill 'er up" I dropped him at the curb and set off to run a few errands.

The Infiniti (affectionately named "Buzz") is a special car at our house. The access to the gas tank is on the opposite side of the car when compared to all the other cars at our place and every car we've ever owned. But we've had Buzz long enough now to remember we have to pull in differently when going to fill up. I thought that was the trickiest part of the operation.

I pulled into the Costco gas bar correctly (best price in town for premium) and produced my Costco card and my credit card in preparation for the refueling. Then I put on my gloves and zipped up my coat. ( the temperature had risen to -21C but it was still nippy) Then I reached down to release the latch for the gas tank cover before stepping out of the car, into the cold, to do the deed.

Except there was no latch where I expected it to be - right down there to the left of the driver's seat on the floor where every other release latch is situated in every other car I've ever driven! I looked down to see if I was actually just missing it. But no, there was nothing there! Then I kinda started fishing around on the side panel of the door... Button to adjust the mirrors, controls for the locks and windows. Another button or two that DID NOT open the tank cover. (who knows what I jimmied by pushing those buttons...) So then I actually opened the door, stepped out and started looking around from the outside of the car because I was sure there had to be something there that would open the cover. I got down on my knees and looked UNDER the seat. I moved the seat frontwards and backwards to see if maybe the seat was camouflaging the release. Then I walked around to the other side of the car and pushed and pulled on the cover, thinking perhaps it might open magically with my touch. I went back to the front of the car and started pushing every button I could see. I opened the trunk, popped the hood, adjusted the steering wheel.....

Then I scanned the cars filling up and those lining up behind me. Surely somebody in an Infiniti would come to my rescue! No luck. A Ford Explorer, Mazda 3, a couple of mini vans and a variety of small sedans but nothing that even looked a little bit like my car.

Finally the gas bar attendant came over, convinced I was some demented old lady in a new (or stolen) car and said, "It should be right here." Pointing to the spot on the floor where there was NOTHING. "Or in the door. Isn't it in the door?" Then he just walked away and left me there, perplexed. One more quick scan of the surrounding vehicles and I did the only thing I could do.

I got in the car and drove away.

I parked, considered phoning Wally to ask him how to fill the car if I couldn't access the tank!?! and then I opened the glove box (regular latch) and hauled out the owner's manual. That stupid manual is as thick as a phone book! After a few minutes of intense study, I started the car, rejoined my place in the queue and proceeded to fill the car with gas.

As I was finishing up, the attendant wandered over again grinning from ear to frozen ear and asked, "How did you get the cover open?"

I replied as confidently as I could,"It's pretty high tech. You should read up on it sometime."