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 every time 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?
Learn how to save even more money with these Money Saving Tips.
The EPA link in your article does not seem to be correct. When I click it I get PAGE NOT FOUND. Searching EPA website for topping off and similar phrases I couldn’t find it either. Could you please correct the link, thank you.
I stopped topping off several years ago. When the pump shuts off, I’m done.
What do you mean by top of the gas, I wait for it to click them top the hose so I get all the gas or of it.
Top it off is when you keep adding gas after it clicks the first time… like when you keep going to round the number.
I live in Oregon, where we aren’t allowed to pump our own gas. It’s illegal for attendants to top off gas here. Now I know why. Thanks!
I don’t top off. Once it clicks I go to an even amount and stop. My husband fills the tank until you can see the gas.
I agree. I wrote a post about this on my blog, http://frugalfunandfifty.com, along with some other money-saving tips for the gas station. It does harm your car to try to add enough gas to round up the dollar amount spent, so don’t do it!
http://frugalfunandfifty.com/2013/10/26/get-the-most-out-of-your-gas-station-visits/
I always misunderstood topping off and thought it had to do with refueling when you only needed a tiny bit of gas, but apparently it includes pushing the pump beyond that automatic stopping point (the click). My husband is notorious for this — to get it to the next even dollar amount! I had a problem with my otherwise wonderful 10+ year old Honda and the service advisor asked if I topped off and said DON’T!!! I don’t think I’ll ever be so close to empty that those few squirts of gasoline will make a difference. It isn’t worth doing damage to your vehicle!
I don’t top off either, but I do press the stop button before removing the nozzle from my tank and then make sure every drop I pay for goes in my car.
Nope I do not top off. I read that you are really not getting the gas so as soon as it clicks I stop.