Refueling sounds simple, but foreign guests renting a car in mainland China often run into questions: which fuel grade do I use? How do I pay at a gas station? Do I return the car full? Today I will explain the fuel rules, how gas stations work, and what to watch for, so you do not get caught out on the road.

Which fuel our cars use

Both the Volkswagen Lavida/Jetta and the Tank 300 run on petrol, using 92-octane fuel. You do not need to add 95; 92 is the correct grade and is available at every Sinopec and PetroChina station. The fuel grade is also marked on the inside of the fuel cap if you forget.

We do not rent diesel cars, so you should not pick up a diesel nozzle. If you ever fill the wrong fuel, do not start the engine; call us immediately and we will arrange to have it handled. Starting the car can damage the engine and make the repair far more expensive.

How mainland gas stations work

Most gas stations in mainland China are full-service or semi-self-service. You park, switch off the engine, and tell the attendant the grade and amount, for example 92, fill it up. The attendant operates the pump, and you pay at the kiosk or through the attendant afterward.

Payment is mainly by mobile payment such as WeChat Pay or Alipay, and major stations also accept bank cards. In remote counties it is worth carrying a few hundred RMB in cash in case a small station does not support cards. Keep the receipt; it shows the time and location, which can help confirm you refueled before returning the car.

Do not smoke or use your phone while fueling

Do not smoke anywhere near the pumps, and avoid using your phone while refueling. Switch off the engine and do not leave the car unattended with the pump running. These are basic safety rules, but they are worth repeating because fuel vapor is flammable.

The full-to-full return rule

You pick up the car with a full tank, and you return it with a full tank. Before handing the car back, fill up at a station near the return point. If you return it below full, we charge you for the missing fuel plus a service fee, which costs more than filling it yourself.

When you pick up the car, confirm the fuel gauge reads full before you sign. If it is not full, point it out at the time so it is recorded. Also photograph the gauge at both pickup and return.

Planning gas stations along your route

On main roads and highways, stations are frequent, but in remote mountain areas the gaps between them can be long. A useful rule is to refill whenever the tank drops to half full rather than waiting for the warning light. Petrol cars can run 500 to 600 kilometers on a tank, but in remote regions you should not test that limit.

Use navigation to mark stations along the route, and keep some cash for small stations. Do not rely on there being a station in every tiny village.

Fuel planning for common routes

Lijiang to Dali: about 200 kilometers on the highway. With a full tank at pickup you will not need to refuel on the way; simply fill up in Dali before returning.

Lijiang to Shangri-La: about 180 kilometers on the national road. A full tank gets you there, and with a round trip to Pudacuo of around 100 kilometers, refuel once in Shangri-La.

Dali to Tengchong: about 300 kilometers. Fill up in Dali and you will reach Tengchong; refill before returning.

Long routes such as Chengdu to Lhasa: check the gauge every 200 kilometers and fill up whenever you see a station, because gaps can exceed 100 kilometers on parts of the route.

My advice

First, check the gauge at pickup and confirm it is full. Second, use 92-octane petrol and never pick up the diesel nozzle. Third, plan stations ahead and refill at half a tank in remote areas. Fourth, carry some cash for small stations. Fifth, return the car full and keep your receipts. Sixth, if you ever fill the wrong fuel, do not start the engine; call us.

Refueling is not a big deal, but a little attention keeps you out of trouble. If you are unsure where the nearest station is, ask us and we will point you to it.

Zara
Yunnan Province International Travel Agency (Group) Co., Ltd.
WeChat/WhatsApp: +86 13759155671
WeChat ID: qxzj7557
Email: [email protected]