Your first gas station experience could be a bit confusing if it is your first time driving in Mexico.  Here are some pointers for having a successful gas station fueling experience.

1: All gas stations in Mexico have the brand name Pemex.  This is the government owned petroleum company.  When you need gas, look for these signs.

2: In Baja and many areas of Mexico, the stations are all full service.  So you are not allowed to pump your gas.  A gas attendant will approach you as you pull into the gas pump.  Do not attempt to tell him you want to pump your own gas, they will not let you.  All gas prices are the same, so you are not being charged a fee for the attendant’s help.

3: Always try to keep your gas tank level above ¾ of a tank.  There are many stretches in Baja and Mexico where gas is not available for well over 100 miles.

4: There are 3 types of gas at most Pemex stations.  Magana (regular unleaded), Premium (higher octane unleaded), and Diesel Sin (Diesel).  Not all stations carry diesel, and many remote gas stations may not carry Premium either.

5: Gas is measured in liters in Mexico, so be familiar with your 1 gallon = 3.785 liters conversion formula

6: Make sure the gas attendant sets the pump back to $0 before filling up.  Most pumps in Baja are now digital and reset to $0 automatically, but in the past you had to keep an eye on the pump because some shady attendants could try to start the pump at a few pesos worth of gas before they even started filling your tank!

7: “Lleno por favor” – means fill it up please.  Lleno is Spanish word for full.

8: If you have a diesel truck – make sure the attendant is filling your truck with diesel.  The diesel pump is colored BLACK in Mexico.  Do not expect the attendant to know you have a diesel truck.  We have actually heard of customers who did not watch the attendant, and then had their diesel truck filled with regular unleaded gas!

9: If you want the attendant to wash your windows, (they often will do this without asking), say “Lava el parabrisas por favor”  Lava is wash or clean, and parabrisas is the word for windshield.

10: Expect to pay in pesos.  Gas stations in Baja may accept dollars, but the conversions could be confusing.  Make sure to bring pesos for buying gas.  Some gas station in Baja, and many in mainland Mexico accept credit cards as well.  In Baja this may take a few minutes for the attendant to run the card, but in mainland Mexico you may find pumps that allow you to run your card directly at the pump.

11: Make sure to tip the attendant if they do any services beyond simply pumping your gas.  I also tip the attendant even if my windshield didn’t need to be washed.  I just enjoy the positive vibes generated by tipping – especially while visiting a foreign country.  $10 - $20 pesos, around 1 -2 US dollars will make most attendants happy.