3D Printing Canada/FacebookAs a driver, one of my biggest unfounded paranoias has always been worrying that I will drive away from the gas station with the fuel pump still firmly attached to my car. Fortunately, that hasn't ever happened in all of the years since I've started driving, but I've heard horror stories from others it's happened to.However, one creative driver must not be as worried about these things as I am — or else he's figured out a creative way to deal with that anxiety — since he's decided to use his 3D printer to joke about this nightmare situation. And apparently his print job is getting him noticed, since a video featuring his creation has gone viral after he shared it to his 3D Printing Canada Facebook page.What's he doing to raise eyebrows (and my blood pressure)? He's printed a 3D gas cap that looks suspiciously like a broken fuel pump.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt looks like he's having the last laugh, too, since he says that people are now giving his boring old car the attention he someday hoped he would get while driving a higher end model. A Canadian DIYer Has Printed the Perfect Practical Joke"I 3D Printed the Most Confusing Gas Cap — I designed and 3D printed a fake gas cap that makes it look like I drove away with the fuel pump still attached — Model adapted from Pax Prints on Makerworld," he captioned the video that features a very realistic looking gas pump hanging off the side of his car.In the video, he joked about how he had always hoped people would look at him as he drove down the street. While he revealed what he originally had in mind was a bit of envy from onlookers as he rolled by in his Porsche, this seems to be scratching the itch all the same. The Post Went Viral as People Shared Their OpinionsCommenters were quick to share their thoughts on this 3D print, with a lot of people initially posting that the 3D print wasn't a great gag.AdvertisementAdvertisement"Way to get pulled over for nothing. Smart," one person wrote."Asking for a ticket because it's sticking too much out of the car," another person added.People Had Additional Suggestions for the DIYerThose who found the whole idea (and purpose) of the gag funny came up with some additional options to try. "You want real attention, glue a coffee mug to the roof," one person suggested. "People will do just about anything to get your attention."Meanwhile, another person suggested adding a printed 3D car seat to the roof. However. that idea fell flatter than some others, perhaps because of the potential for people to get hurt or in trouble while racing to warn the driver about the potential danger. Drivers Actually Do This More Often Than You'd ThinkWondering how believable this prank actually is? According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Americans use 374.05 millions of gallons of gas per day. That means that people are hitting the pumps pretty frequently. AdvertisementAdvertisementWith those kinds of numbers, odds are that a number of people across the country are going to drive off with the fuel pump still attached each day. While I couldn't find an exact number, I did find a 2012 story from Business Insider where a Maryland gas station owner said it happened "at least once a month."It really makes you think about whether or not a 3D gas pump cap would make you more or less likely to actually make this mistake. If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
