Let’s face it, we’ve all been at the gas pump eager to fill it up with every drop of “go-go juice”! Those of us with OCD might be tempted to overfill our gas tank when we’re just shy of an even number; like rounding $48.33 up to an even $50.00. 😂 Don’t do it! Topping off your tank IS NOT good for your car!
Let’s get into why you should avoid topping off your tank and why doing so may bring you to our auto repair shop in Fort Worth or Ridgmar.
How Modern Gas Pumps Work
You may think that you’re in total control at the gas pump, but you’d be wrong. Modern pumps are actually quite complex and capable of controlling just how much petrol you add to your vehicle.
Modern pumps consist of two key components, and electronic head that controls the pump’s action (knows when to stop), displays pump progress on the monitor, and signals to inside workers just how much you’re using up.
There is also a mechanical motor that physically pumps the gas into your tank. In short, the pump knows when to stop and topping off is just an excessive bad driving habit.
Topping Off Your Gas Tank Wastes Money
The gas nozzle on most cars is designed to automatically click off for a reason—to alert you that your tank is full.
Getting that extra squeeze in after the click doesn’t even add that fuel to your system and causes gas reverse, why flows gasoline directly into its tank. It could even result in a messy, smelly splash.
The worst part is, your gas tank won’t be fuller, and your wallet is guaranteed to be emptier.
Overfilling Gas Can Damage Your Car
Gas needs room to expand in the fuel tank. If you top off your tank, you leave little to no room for expansion, causing the gas to collect in your car’s vapor collection system.
Also known as the Evaporative Emissions Control system (EVAP), this system essentially serves as a defense line between the atmosphere and harmful gasoline fumes.
If your EVAP system collects gas in its gears, you’re bound for system failure.
If the vapor collection system fails, it yields higher gas emissions that damage your car like flooding the carbon filter, which is only meant for vapor.
This can cause your check engine light to come on, indicating a problem with your vehicle’s major operating systems.
If this sounds like a pricey fix, you’re right, it is! On average EVAP repairs can cost up to $600, with full on parts replacements “topping off” at $2,000!
Topping Off Your Tank Actually Harms the Environment
Modern gas station pumps are equipped with vapor recovery systems designed to prevent gas vapors from escaping and polluting the air. Simply put when you top off your gas tank, these systems can malfunction or fail, increasing pollution and negating the benefits of these preventative measures.
Whether you’ve caused a malfunction at the gas station or within your EVAP system, the effects aren’t minimal. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), standard vehicle gasoline is a toxic substance that contains carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and unburned hydrocarbons; all of which contribute to the mass air pollution we all deal with on a daily basis.
It may seem like a longshot, but gasoline spilled from the pump after topping off can bleed into groundwater, causing chemicals to settle into private drinking wells.
Fill Your Gas Tank Properly for Optimal Performance
Even if your OCD is flying off the hinges every time you hit the gas pump, topping off your gas is a big “no no.” From being a drain on your finances through waste and repairs to the mass impact the act has on the environment, it’s something we discourage.
If you want to make the most of a gas station trip, plan out a set stopping point below a full tank or pre-paying inside to stave off temptation.
So, if you think you’ve damaged your EVAP system or are curious about the recent “check engine” light flashing on your dash, stop in at a Kwik Kar near you.
