stefanamer/Getty ImagesMost drivers have experienced this situation (unless you live in New Jersey). You pull into the gas station, turn off your car, look at the various handles and need to figure out which one is right for your vehicle.Gas pump handle colors help stations distinguish between fuel choices, but there's no single color system used at every gas station in the United States. With stations offering different grades and fuel blends, checking the pump matters more than remembering a color.Learn why gas pump handles come in different colors, what they can mean, and how you can make sure you're choosing the right fuel when you're at the gas station.What Do Different Gas Pump Handle Colors Mean?It would be really convenient if there was one standardized coloring system for gas pump handle colors. Unfortunately, that's not the case.AdvertisementAdvertisementAmerican drivers typically associate a green handle with diesel and a black handle with gasoline. But that's not always true. Many fuel handle stations have diesel dispensing nozzles in green, black, red, blue, yellow, and several other colors. Unleaded gasoline nozzles come in many of those same options.However, there are additional indicators and ways to ensure you're using the right fuel.The Federal Trade Commission's Fuel Rating Rule focuses on the information displayed on the pump instead of the nozzle color, requiring retailers to post the fuel rating on the dispenser. Alternative fuels have their own labeling requirements.How to Make Sure You're Choosing the Right Fuel?You can't simply rely on the color of the handle to make sure you're using the right fuel. In some states, like Oregon, a service member should be available to assist you. However, in rural areas or at unoccupied gas stations, you could be on your own to figure it out.AdvertisementAdvertisementStart by looking at the label on the pump handle, fuel selection button, or dispenser display to identify which nozzle supplies gasoline, diesel, or another fuel. Your vehicle— on the gas cap, inside the fuel door, on a nearby label, or even your owner's manual will say which fuel or gasoline grade your vehicle requires.Using the wrong fuel can do extensive damage to your vehicle's engine or fuel system. If you inadvertently use the wrong fuel, the safest move is to leave the engine off and have the vehicle checked before driving it.Gas pump handle colors can make fueling up easier to understand, but knowing what each label and fuel designation means is the best way to keep your vehicle safe and running smoothly.SourcesFederal Trade Commission, "Automotive Fuel Ratings, Certification and Posting"Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, "16 CFR Part 306, fuel label specifications"
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