There tend to be corners in the fill tube which makes getting the hose into the tank difficult on its own. And there is usually a device in the line, like a spring, that allows fuel to flow into the tank, but not a hose.
This wasn’t always the case. Cars older than about the mid 1980’s (depending on brand) won’t always have such features.
Recovering mechanic here. You’re correct.
There tend to be corners in the fill tube which makes getting the hose into the tank difficult on its own. And there is usually a device in the line, like a spring, that allows fuel to flow into the tank, but not a hose.
This wasn’t always the case. Cars older than about the mid 1980’s (depending on brand) won’t always have such features.
That tracks with what I recall from this gas thief telling me. Which would have been in the early 2000s.
Some people were still driving 80s cars but not many.