Guide to Refueling Your Rental Car at Malaga Airport: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Drivers in Spain

If you’ve rented a car for the first time in Spain and are unfamiliar with how gas stations work, don’t worry! Refueling your vehicle, especially near Malaga Airport or other popular tourist destinations, is straightforward once you know the steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to refuel, where to find the closest BP petrol stations near Malaga, and what to expect in terms of fuel types and pricing.

1. Locate the Nearest Petrol Stations

Before returning your rent car at Malaga airport, it’s crucial to fill up the tank. The closest BP petrol stations to Malaga Airport are:

• BP Petrol Station – Av. Velázquez, 384, 29004 Málaga
  This is the nearest BP station, only a few minutes away from the airport. It’s conveniently located on the way back from the city center or Costa del Sol.
• BP Petrol Station – Carretera de Cádiz, km 232, Torremolinos
  A little further along the coast, ideal if you’re driving back from places like Torremolinos or Benalmádena.

Both stations are open 24/7, so you don’t need to worry about fuel at any time of day. Fuel prices in Spain vary but expect to pay around €1.60-€1.80 per liter for unleaded petrol, and slightly more for premium fuel.

2. Fuel Types in Spain

When refueling your Malaga airport car rental, make sure you’re using the correct fuel type. Most rental cars in Spain run on either "Gasolina 95" (unleaded petrol) or "Gasóleo" (diesel). Check the rental agreement or the inside of the fuel flap to confirm the correct type of fuel for your vehicle.

3. How to Refuel: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to refuel your rental car at a self-service station, which is the most common type in Spain:

Step 1: Park at the pump Drive your Malaga airport rent a car next to the pump with the correct fuel type (Gasolina or Gasóleo). Park with the fuel cap closest to the pump.

Step 2: Open the fuel cap Turn off your engine and open the fuel cap. Some cars require pressing a button inside the car to release the fuel flap, while others just need you to twist off the cap manually.

Step 3: Choose your fuel At the pump, select your fuel type by picking the corresponding nozzle:

• Green nozzle – Unleaded Gasolina (typically 95 or 98)
• Black nozzle – Diesel Gasóleo

Step 4: Pay for your fuel In Spain, you usually have two options for paying:

• Prepay at the pump: Some stations allow you to pay directly at the pump using a credit card. Simply insert your card, select the fuel type, and start pumping.
• Pay inside the station: If the pump does not have a card reader, you’ll need to go inside the station. Let the cashier know your pump number, pay either a specific amount or authorize an open amount (meaning you can fill up as much as needed).

Step 5: Pump the fuel Once you’ve selected the amount or paid, squeeze the handle to begin refueling. The pump will automatically stop when your tank is full. Don’t try to overfill it.

Step 6: Close the fuel cap After the pump stops, put the nozzle back in its place, securely close the fuel cap, and return to the cashier (if necessary) to finalize your payment.

4. Additional Tips for Stress-Free Refueling

• Plan ahead: If you’re returning your car hire at Malaga airport, always fill up near the airport to avoid last-minute stress.
• Know the fuel policy: If you opted for the full-to-full fuel policy with SOLO rent a car, make sure to return the car with a full tank to avoid any refueling charges.
• Keep a receipt: Always ask for a receipt after refueling, especially if it’s your first time, as proof of compliance with your rental terms.

5. Explore Stress-Free

Once you’ve refueled, you’re ready to enjoy your trip. With your Malaga airport car hire, you can explore beautiful destinations like Nerja, Marbella, or Ronda without the hassle of relying on public transport.

Conclusion

By following this simple guide, refueling your rental car from Malaga airport will be a breeze. With multiple fuel stations nearby, a clear understanding of the fuel types, and easy-to-use self-service pumps, you can return your car stress-free and get back to enjoying your vacation. At SOLO rent a car, we’re here to make every aspect of your trip easy and convenient—from booking your Malaga airport car rental to refueling before heading home. Safe travels!