Pemex is the state-owned gas company. For years they were the only gas stations, but now there are many brands. Fuel prices are set by the government and so price is uniform.

• Gasoline (gasolina) comes in 2 grades - Magna (Green handle, 87 AKI octane, regular unleaded) and Premium (Red handle, 92 AKI octane, premium). Ask for verde (green) or rojo (red).

• Diesel has a black handle. Ultra low-sulfer (UBA diesel - Ultra Baja Azufre) is available, but not at all stations yet.

• Fuel is sold by the liter. Expect to pay more than US prices per gallon.

• If needed, add fuel additives to your tank before you pull up to the pump. Pumps are a very busy place and you want to be ready. Recommended Gas additive. Recommended Diesel additive.

• Gas attendants pump your fuel, but will allow motorcyclists to fill their own tank. If you want a full tank, say full “lleno” (yay-no).

• Scams and shortages can happen occasionally, so you must pay attention the whole time. Most attendants are honest and hard working. I will have my wallet with me before I get out of the vehicle, so I’m ready.

• Start by watching the pump to verify the attendant zeros the pump. The attendant will know you are watching and often points and says zeros. A scam happens where the pump is not zeroed out.

• Some attendants at this point will start to clean your windshield or will offer to clean it. I stay with the pump watching the whole time, I’m here to pump gas and nothing more.

• Attendants will top your tank to the brim and attempt to get to a 0 or 5 final $ number so change is easier.

• You can pay with Pesos or a credit card.

• Pay with close to exact amount or count your bills out slowly to verify it’s correct. Don’t be distracted. Count your change back, while holding your hand out. Incorrect change scams can happen. Sometimes you are handed back too much change, be honest and help with the math. Be square with your deals - “quadra”.

• If you pay by credit card, look at the pump and then the credit card machine and verify the same amount. Watch the credit card machine the whole time to make sure the attendant is not touching extra buttons or anything funny. If the credit card machine is mounted in place, walk over with the attendant and watch. Repeat the amount again to verify.

• Another scam is for the attendant to say the card was declined (and it was not) and then ask for cash or worse another card. The machine always prints a failed charge receipt, so ask for it. Asap, I check to verify it was not actually charged (with my Telcel connected phone and banking app). Then if the charge went thru and you also payed cash, don’t leave the business and talk to the manager. Show them the card transaction. At times, machines say it failed and but the charge did go thru. This is a network error. If I use my card and it is declined, I most always pay with cash as a rule…and check my account asap.

• Some station owners scam by pumping less than a full liter. These seem to be Pemex stations more than other brands. If there are two stations and one is full of cars and the other is not, there is a reason the locals go there. PROFECO is where you report any sort of scam or shortage. This is a consumer protection agency.

• Given the choice, I’m choosing the newer non-Pemex stations as they are modern and clean with nice restrooms.

• It’s customary to tip the attendant; 20 pesos if my windshield was cleaned, 10 if it was not.

• When you are finished getting fuel and you’ve got a good attendant…now is a good time to make change with larger Peso bills. Attendants always carry a lot of Pesos and thus you can easily break a 500p bill into smaller change. Once again, count out slowly and confirm.

• In remote places like Baja, always top up when you see a station! Sometimes stations can be out of fuel.