There is one more preventative protocol to recall next time people stop at the gas station. When the pump shuts off, it’s meant to be a clear indicator to motorists that the tank is filled, and adding any additional fuel is simply unnecessary. Despite being given a clear sign that the task has been completed successfully, some can’t help but take things too far. Many people tend to top off their tank, and even though it doesn’t need it, they continue to squeeze as much gas as possible out of the nozzle, not realizing the damage they are actually doing. “By topping your fuel tank off, it can either overwhelm your evaporative system and break something or cause a hazardous leak by the excess pressure in the system,” Ed Nemphos, owner of Brentwood Automotive in Baltimore, said, according to the Detroit Free Press. In addition, Caruso’s Auto Repair Owner, Joel Caruso, is also an advocate against topping off, saying, “When we overfill the tank, it sends all of the excessive fuel to the evaporation/charcoal canister and kills the life of that canister.” The repairs could cost a consumer up to $1,500.
It isn’t just the vehicle or a person’s bank account at risk. Topping off the tank can cause gasoline to spill onto a person, which isn’t known to react well when it comes in contact with the skin. If an individual is lucky enough not to get any on them, the chances are it ended up on the ground and is now taking its toll on the environment, proving that when it comes to pumping gas, enough is really enough.
