I was having an interesting discussion today with a friend. She said she never tops off her gas tank because it just causes the extra gas you are paying for to go back into the pump. And she might be right. Almost everytime I pick up the gas pump to start pumping, some gas leaks out on the ground.
I decided to Google the topic and found that the EPA agrees with her. They stated that the gas station pumps are equipped with vapor recovery systems that feed back gas vapors into their tanks to prevent vapors from escaping into the air and contributing to air pollution. Any additional gas you try to pump into your tank may be drawn into the vapor line and fed back into the station’s storage tanks.
They also added that if you top off your tank, the extra gas may evaporate into your vehicle’s vapor collection system. That system may become fouled and will not work properly causing your vehicle to run poorly and have high gas emissions.
So I want to know what you all do! Do you top off your gas tank?
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(Thanks to The EPA for the above content!)
Holly says
I put anywhere from 20-30.00 each time because lately it seems like the prices have been going down a tad (10c a gallon is something! LOL)
RK says
Does everyone else not have signs that say “DO NOT TOP OFF” at the pump? I just assumed it was the known thing that you’re not supposed to do that because of those messages.
Kristin of Couponing to Disney says
I’ve never seen a sign saying that.
Debra says
Only have $10 at a time to put in the tank :( It makes you decide what’s important to go to and what’s not.
Julie Isbell says
i never let my truck get below 1/4 tank! expecially in the winter! hubby likes to drive on fumes and check the “range” gage to see how far he can go on those fumes! well, when he called me one night while coming home from a road trip and informed me that i get the last laugh, i did just that! he was standing on the side of the road waiting on gas to be brought to him! they passed a station, and the gage said they had 50 miles to go! they made it less than half of that! he still will push it to the limit in his car. fine by me. just don’t call me for the gas!! now my question – what is a good stopping point when filling up my truck? i usually wait until the pump “clicks” or shuts off telling me it is done. should i stop the pump around $5.00 before the end? or watch the numbers – i’ve heard they tend to slow down as the tank fills up. any help is appreciated! would love to stop being a filler upper!!
Linds says
That’s a really cute picture! I fill up about $50 at a time and just keep it over half tank. Sadly, that doesn’t even get close to topping off in our suburban.
janie says
Yes I do ,or I did I will not be doing this anymore though ! Gas is high enough and to think I am paying for something I am not getting well thats just wrong !! Thanks so much for sharing this !!
HUGS,JANIE
Jeanette R says
I always fill it right up. Thanks for sharing this. I’ll stop.
LOVE your blog!!!
Cindy says
I have been told too to get the “extra” out of the line to turn it a quarter turn and tip it down. Don’t know if it works but since I have been doing that I haven’t had any extra splat on the ground.
I also try to keep my car over half full, just becasue it costs a fortune to fill all the way up!! ANd i use my app on my phone to find the cheapest gas, it varies up to a quarter around here.
Anna says
I learned this tip a few summers ago on the local news when gas was getting so high… I always yell at my husband for doing it, and I think he’s finally stopped :)
Brynna says
We top off, but not for gas purposes…just to get it up to the nearest 1/4 dollar. LOL
Another gas tip we learned from our mechanic…always keep your tank over half full. This extends the life (and optimal performance) of your fuel pump.
Cori says
Some other gas related money saving tips…
Fill up in the morning during the summer. The gas molecules are closer together when cool so you get more gas for your money. As the sun heats the ground, the molecules expand.
Never fill up when the gas truck is there. As they refill the underground tanks, gunk mixes with the gas. You’ll pay for this “gunk” and it’ll also dirty your car’s tank. It’ll settle again to the bottom of the tank when finished (think of Italian salad dressing).
Never go to empty. Just like the big underground tanks, your car’s tank also has some gunk in it and that gunk will come up when your gas lights come on. Also, your car works harder to get the gas up from the bottom of the tank (think of a straw getting the last bit of soda from a cup).
Good luck!
Dana says
Who can afford to fill their tank all the way anymore? Not a problem for me now a days!
Barbie says
Until last year I have lived near full-service stations and so I didn’t know how to pump my gas. When we moved I had to learn how to do it myself because there isn’t a full-service station in our town. I actually had to pull out the owners manual to learn how to do it. The manual said not to top off and since I was pretty sure I was going to blow the car up anyway, I haven’t done it. It’s good to know why it’s a bad idea. Thanks!
Jayne @ Mimi to Tee and Bee says
Maybe I can show this to Poppa and he’ll stop. :)
Bethany says
They discussed this several years ago on The Today Show and I haven’t topped it off since then.