TOPPING off your gas tank might seem harmless, but it could leave you with a costly repair.
One woman is urging drivers to stop the habit after spotting a warning most people overlook.
TikTok creator @thatgirlpilotcar is warning drivers to stop topping offTikTok/thatgirlpilotca GettyThe habit can damage a charcoal filter in your car’s vapor system (stock image)[/caption] In the video, the TikToker shows the gas pump’s “Do not top off” warningTikTok/thatgirlpilotcaThe viral PSA was filmed at a gas station, where the content creator showed the tiny sticker many drivers don’t notice which clearly states: “Do not top off.”
TikTok creator @thatgirlpilotcar, a blue-collar worker, shared the tip with her audience.
The video garnered over 500,000 views and over 44,000 likes, and more than 800 comments.
“There’s a charcoal filter in the filler neck,” she warned in the video.
“And every time you try to squeeze more gas in there, it backs up into that and turns the filter into a non-breathing solid lump of charcoal.”
She said once that happens, refueling becomes a nightmare.
“It’ll kick off constantly ‘cause it’ll wanna back up, spit back at you, and you’re gonna have to spend some money to have somebody replace that little breather,” she explained.
The woman said she was speaking from experience.
According to ThatGirlPilotCar, her mom had the habit of squeezing in extra fuel, which wound up causing problems for the car.
She also had a van that took up to 15 minutes to refuel because the vapor system was clogged.
The repair eventually cost her several hundred dollars.
Auto experts have previously given the same warning.
According to Consumer Reports, topping off your gas tank can damage the charcoal canister in your car’s vapor recovery system, or the ORVR.
How To Pump Gas
There are several steps you can take to safely pump gas.
Find Your Pump
Drive up to a pump, aligning your car’s fuel tank with the nozzle. Look for the fuel indicator arrow on your dashboard or the manual to know which side your gas tank is on.
Pay for Your Gas
You can either pay at the pump with a credit/debit card or pay inside. If paying inside, give the attendant your pump number and the amount you want to spend.
Open Your Fuel Lid
Use the lever or button inside your car to open the gas tank lid, or open it manually if your car doesn’t have a lever. Unscrew the gas cap.
Pick the Right Nozzle
Grab the correct nozzle from the pump (regular, premium, or diesel). Insert it securely into your gas tank.
Select Fuel Grade
Choose the fuel grade (usually regular, mid-grade, or premium). Check your car’s manual for the recommended fuel type.
Start Pumping
Pull the trigger to begin pumping. Most nozzles have a lever that locks in place so you don’t have to hold it.
Wait for Automatic Shutoff
Keep an eye on the pump. It will automatically stop when your tank is full. You’ll hear a click when this happens.
Remove the Nozzle and Close the Tank
Carefully remove the nozzle, return it to the pump, and make sure the gas cap is tightly secured.
Get Your Receipt
If you paid at the pump, decide if you want a receipt. If you do, print it; if not, finish the transaction.
Reset Your Odometer
Inside your car, reset the fuel odometer to track your mileage. Usually, turning your car back on will reset it.
Source: AAA
The canister absorbs harmful fuel vapors using activated carbon, and it’s not meant to get wet with fuel.
If it does, the system may stop working entirely.
The extra fuel could actually reverse back into the pump, even while the price keeps rising on the screen, per KwikKar.
Fuel can also spill onto the ground, creating a fire and environmental risk.
AT THE PUMP
Normally, a gas pump will click off after a certain point in filling the tank.
However, this warning is for those still trying to shake those last bits of gas from the nozzle.
Adding more fuel to your car after the pump automatically shuts off can saturate the charcoal canister with fuel, damaging it.
It can also cause the check engine light to go on.
While the system usually lasts as long as the car itself, topping off damage could lead to an avoidable repair that costs hundreds of dollars.
Other TikTok users flooded to the comment section to weigh in.
“I’m not topping off. I’m trying to stop on an even number of dollars,” said one.
“I shake it because it’s dripping gas still,” added another.
“I’m not topping off. I can’t stop on odd numbers,” one more added.
“They should teach this in drivers ed.”
“Yep, I stopped doing that when I learned that it’s an expensive repair,” another agreed.
“Who has enough money for a full tank of gas these days???” another asked.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Woman spots the fine print on her gas station pump about filling your tank to the top – now she’s warning other drivers )
Also on site :