| A mistake that many drivers make when filling | | | | gas expands it requires more room in your gas |
| their gas tank is to overfill it. In other | | | | tank. |
| words when the gas pump nozzle clicks off | | | | |
| automatically,do you keep pumping trying to | | | | If you top off your tank, then there is no |
| add as much more gas as you can? Do you add | | | | extra room for the gas to expand. Where does |
| more gas after the shutoff to round out the | | | | the expanding gas go? It may find it's way |
| dollar amount of the total. In either case | | | | into your vehicle's vapor collection system. |
| this habit is most likely costing you money | | | | That could easily foul this system causing it |
| and is bad for the environment. | | | | to malfunction. If this happens your vehicle |
| | | | will run poorly and have high gas emissions. |
| In most areas, gas station pumps are equipped | | | | |
| with vapor recovery systems that draw gas | | | | The gas that expands and is lost is gas that |
| vapors back into their tanks to prevent those | | | | you have paid for. Again that means that you |
| vapors from getting into the air and thus | | | | are paying for gas that you can't use. Your |
| contributing to air pollution. If you top off | | | | cost of gas is increased again. But that's |
| your gas tank it can result in your paying | | | | not all that will happen. If the expanding |
| for fuel that is fed back into the gas | | | | gas fouls up the vapor collection system your |
| station's tanks because that vapor recovery | | | | car will operate less efficiently. |
| system is drawing gas back into the station | | | | |
| system. | | | | A less efficient car means less fuel |
| | | | efficiency which means you will use more gas |
| The extra gas you are trying to pump into | | | | which means it will cost you more money. The |
| your tank may just be drawn into the vapor | | | | result is you are hit double in the wallet, |
| line and back into the station's tanks. That | | | | once for the gas that is lost directly and |
| means that you will be paying for gas that is | | | | second for the extra gas your car starts to |
| not going into your car but is going back | | | | burn because it is running inefficiently. |
| into the gas station's storage tanks. Of | | | | Double ouch!! |
| course the effect of this is to raise your | | | | |
| cost of gas. | | | | Gasoline vapors are a source of toxic air |
| | | | pollutants such as benzene and contribute to |
| When you top off your tank there is a good | | | | bad ozone days. Gasoline vapors are harmful |
| chance that gas will evaporate or will be | | | | to breathe. When you overfill your tank you |
| spilled on the ground. Both of these things | | | | will inevitably get some vapors released into |
| will cost you money for gas that is not | | | | the air. When this happens not only are you |
| getting into your tank. That is it bad for | | | | breathing in toxic fumes but you are also |
| your wallet. | | | | contributing to the air pollution problem. |
| | | | |
| There are more problems you may encounter | | | | The next time you fill your car or truck, |
| when topping off your gas tank. Gas expands | | | | when the pump automatically stops your tank |
| as it gets warmer. This is certainly a big | | | | should be full enough. Do not top it off. |
| factor in the summer or in warm weather | | | | Not only will you be saving yourself money, |
| climates. Gas from underground tanks will | | | | you will you be protecting your own health |
| generally be cooler than the air. As it | | | | and you will also be helping the environment! |
| warms up in your gas tank it expands. As the | | | | |