Originally Posted By: jaj
Despite the great posts from theorists on this, I was at a Chevron in WA last summer where the person before me had set the pump to deliver a fixed $ amount, then locked the handle with the clip to fill their tank. Once the pump stopped at the $ amount, they put the handle back in the holder with the clip still set. When I came along, the still-locked handle started gushing gasoline as soon as the pump started running after I pulled the handle out of the holder after completing the credit card ceremony at the pump. Gas went everywhere on the side of my car and the ground.
So, no, the pumps aren't smart enough to prevent this. Take care.
I'll try it next time I fill up except I'll make sure the nozzle is in the tank first. This may differ from station to station though. Yesterday, this was at a fairly new/ recently renovated BP.