NEVER TOP OFF YOUR TANK!

NEVER TOP OFF YOUR TANK!
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This clip will demonstrate why you should not "top off" your fuel tank at the pump.
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HowToCarGuy was created out of a necessity to have relaxed, easy-to-follow, and instantly usable videos for anyone that has questions about how their vehicle works. This channel is dedicated to answering questions about the complicated features in today’s cars, trucks, and SUV’s. You will find a wide variety videos on HowToCarGuy ranging from short how-to videos to full feature reviews. As a life-long automotive enthusiast, I tailor my videos to those who want to maximize the investment they have made in their vehicle. I draw from 15 years of automotive experience in Sales and Service to make each video. I am very grateful that you are here and if you would like to learn more about your vehicle then hit that subscribe button - I think you’ll learn something and have fun at the same time!
Brock Frady
HowToCarGuy

[@SgtJoeSmith]

After I top off my truck I pump the bed full of gas too. Never had any problems.

[@HowToCarGuy]

+Joe Smith I'll bet you don't really do that.

[@flux_time]

wow poker genius here you bet on lots of things? i would if i were that smart

[@NightWolf-vv5me]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@toddprater14]

Joe Smith Haha. That's great 😁

[@tonybrowns649]

Joe Smith 😂😂😂

[@myjizzureye]

After I top off I also squirt a little over the windows and the bumper to help clean the bugs off. Works great. Sometimes I pump a gallon or so into the bin next to the gas pump also because its how I roll.

[@HowToCarGuy]

MyJizz UrEye THAT'S the spirit!!! Love it!

[@myjizzureye]

HowToCarGuy I had heard you love it :)

[@mazdaneo1]

I've topping off my fuel tank since i got my driving licence (30yrs ago) and i never encountered any single problem... at the matters of fact.. my car can travel further vs the 1st click. When you want to fill up to the brim.. pls becareful and avoid spilling ... usually third clicks will fill up abt 95 %

[@frankbiz]

Well, this is news to me. I have a 2008 Toyota Highlander with 165,000 miles, and every time I have filled it up I have added at least a gallon and a half more after it has clicked off. I keep filling it very slowly until it fills all the way up the neck and haven’t had any problems so far. I guess I’m very fortunate.

[@JRDNGIXX]

Same with my cars for years no issues, however I had a friend mess up his brand new Audi A4 years ago when he topped it off on his first fill and the gas leveler broke off inside the tank giving wrong readouts of fuel level. I guess German cars mainly get issues with doing that?

[@mctonyjr4387]

I accidentally it to my Hyundai gls accent I accidentally filled but I filled to the point where gas was leaking out of the tank so if anyone if I just messed my car or not please let me know

[@frankbiz]

Mctony Jr it's probably ok. I think if you do it every time it might cause a problem. Like I mentioned I fill it all the way but not to the very top so as not go into the vent holes at the top.

[@rodpanhard]

The real reason cars have the "do not top off" warning is because models with evap cansiters can end up flooded with fuel if you fill right up to the neck as it flows down the evap system breather pipework. This can lead to engine lights and poor running and idle.

[@alagogo]

On a 98 Ford Ranger been topping the tank off since I bought it in 98 never had a problem and I will continue to do so .

[@jnic2003]

Why your literally paying to pump gas back into the gas station

[@smokeykelly4788]

Not if you hold the nozzle out of the tank and pump it slowly until its topped off

[@TheSteves75]

I get it close then pull it out and spray it on the truck to the round off the price.

[@garybrinker4522]

firefeem Now you just need a lighter

[@rmick66]

That's also how porn stars fill up their vehicles.

[@robstirling3173]

There is a contradiction here, either the nozzle collects the excess fuel or it spills on the ground, not both. Here in the UK the nozzles only recover fuel vapour, not liquid as far as I understand it. I tend to top off to avoid leaving airspace in the tank, where condensation of water could happen on a cold day/night

[@KOOLITUS]

I always pull out!

[@HowToCarGuy]

Nice!

[@petrosspetrosgali]

That sucks. My car cant get pregnant so I NEVER pull out😎

[@paulmoffat9306]

The nozzle has a back-pressure trip that causes the flow to stop when it sees it. It does not know that the tank is full - one of my cars would trip the nozzle even when empty, and I had to find the 'sweet spot' so it would fill the tank. The 'back flow' is the air trapped in the tank that pushes the fuel in the filler back up to relieve the internal pressure, consequently overflowing the filler. (like a baby's burp). Topping is not a problem if you are going to drive any distance, as 20-30 miles will use up a gallon or so anyway.

[@ebuzek3648]

I have a 05 corolla with over 300,000 miles on it. I always fill it to the point where it will not take another drop. This car has a 12 gallon tank and 90% of my fill ups are over 14 gallons. When the pumps shuts off I can still get another 2.5 to 3 gallons extra in the tank. At 30 miles to the gallon, this get me an additional 75 to 90 extra miles per tank. The only evaporative system problem I have ever had is a bad fuel cap at 295,000. So your claim is bogus. Im 53 and have done this with every vehicle I have owned.

[@hunterhelms4514]

Rich people problems I can't even get half a tank

[@recoveringnewyorker2243]

Hunter Helms Boo hoo! They have $1 more than me and that's not fair!

[@camarokurt]

People who WORK problems.

[@stephenmwyatt2]

Your level of fuel has nothing to do with money

[@Gruxxan]

you dont need to be rich to fill your tank

[@paulk5311]

jeff you seem to think broke people will keep their needle in the top half of the gauge if given good advice. that is about as dumb as a box of rocks. maybe you have never been there but for those that have they will spend their money on something needed first and if they have half a tank of gas guess where they are not spending that money.

[@mediastarguest]

I remember back in the day filling up a full tank for the following day's trip. It was a warm afternoon, the sun shone on the side of the car, which was parked, heated up the panel and the warmed up petrol started leaking out of the tank and cap. Gas nozzles click when the tank is ALMOST full - in medium-sized european cars with a standard 55-56 litre tank the click will cut in at about 52-53 litres.

[@moist_potato2837]

I usually dont put the nozzle in all the way, after it clicks i pull it out and pour it in until the fuel is at the edge and tada. I have a full full tank. Never an issue

[@occckid123]

If I can put two extra gallons in the tank after the first click then usually I can drive an extra 80 miles if I'm averaging close to 40 miles per gallon that's a big difference

[@Masterstrange879]

I find that sometimes the froth from diesel triggers the cut off

[@Macsk8ing]

I topped it off with almost a dollar today because I was too lazy to go inside for my change, which is the reason I always use debit so once it stops it stops. I already knew it was a terrible idea, but once in over two years won't hurt anything (I hope )

[@BoStErO1905]

You resemble a villain from an Indiana Jones movie. Subbed

[@petergriffin383]

I used the nozzle as a flamethrower one time. I was being robbed while filling up so I pulled the nozzle out, pointed it at the guy with my lighter in front of it and let it rip. He looked like burnt charcoal afterwards.

[@SlipKnotRicky]

I really don't believe you, but that would make a great movie scene!

[@isaiah2536]

@@SlipKnotRicky His name is “Peter Griffin” obviously kidding lol

[@yodawg526]

Not sure if this applies to all autos but i get 500 miles when fuel is to the top vs 420 when i just stop when the handle clicks. I like that extra 80 miles!

[@ke4rcf]

To point one. In the US / North Carolina we do not have the fume / vacuum systems on our gas dispensers, so point one is incorrect for us. So the over fuel does not get drawn back to the dispenser. I have seen those in the mid-west. Point two on the evaporative system, I can see where that one could be valid. Point three on overflowing the tank onto the ground. Yes, I have done that before...

[@HowToCarGuy]

Thanks for contributing to the conversation!!

[@VB-bk1lh]

The warning should be "Don't overfill" not top off. I can see where some vehicles could have an issue with an overfilled tank if fuel got into the evap system through the canister purge system but some vehicles have fuel tanks that won't even allow a full tank without 'topping off" the tank as you fill it. I have four pickup trucks, on each one if I wait a few seconds after the pump shuts off, I can get another few gallons in the tank, each time. If I let it shut off by itself, I'll end up with about 7/8 of a tank at best. I've taken my time and gotten as much as 10 more gallons in the tank. That's a lot of fuel when your running long distances where there may not be another filling station when you need it.

[@HowToCarGuy]

Excellent points! Thanks for contributing to the conversation!

[@petegower2031]

Yes agree with you 💯 percent, depends on the individual vehicle, also its how you let the fuel in I've always done it very carefully on my diesels and never had a problem in any vehicle, Ihave a strong hunch this is a gasoline issue pumped in by heavy handed drivers at full steam on the gas pump...

[@Trades46]

Some older cars you CAN top-off: I can actually squeeze another $3-5 worth of gas into a 2000 Toyota Sienna simply because the shutoff point is so early. But newer cars are very sensitive; my Mitsubishi Outlander clicks, it's topped off. No more no less. I tried pumping my mother's 2009 Mercedes C250 once; the front of my jacket stunk of gas when I got back (my sister though the car was spewing gas lol). Lesson learned.

[@HowToCarGuy]

Great Point Trades46!! Thank you for the comments! I've noticed that about the older Sienna's too. I don't know why the shut off happens so early in that model.

[@swinde]

This video is generally true, but I have often encountered gas pumps that pump so rapidly that it will shut off way too soon. Then you have to keep restarting the pump while trying to hold it in such a way that it pumps more slowly until the tank if full. some times partially withdrawing the nozzle helps but is a little risky.

[@mjmjo3019]

I always round up to the nearest dollar. If it stops at 16.53 i will go up to 17, if it stops 16.01 I still go to 17. I always fill up when my tank gets down to 1/2 tank. I have been driving the same car for 17+ years now and never had an issue with anything. Everything is all original, except for the normal stuff like brakes(twice) and wiper blades.

[@franticstorm7411]

Yeah right! Many a time I have started filling an empty tank and the pump shuts off after a few moments and hasn't put more than a few liters into the tank. Hardly full is it!

[@willamboarman8605]

I have 'topped' my gas tank for years without any problems whatsoever. I've done so with several of my cars and with pick ups including my 2013 pick-up which I bought new. Never once a problem. Most of my vehicles were used and old. They had a verity of mechanical problems now and again but they had nothing to do with topping off the gas tank. And, I have never had trouble with a car or truck passing inspection! And I've never had gas leak out of the fuel cap. If this is happen to you - perhaps it's time for a new fuel cap.

[@johnmontague69]

After the nozzle clicks and no more fuel is coming out just pull the nozzle out enough so it's resting on the lip and that you can see the fuel going into the tank. Press the trigger gentle and keep your eye on the fuel coming upto the top. The fuel will gurgle down and you can do this several times until you cannot fit anymore fuel in. Your tank will register full but as you have filled the tank up the neck all the way to the fuel cap you'll find your fuel gauge won't go down until you've driven for 30 or 40 miles because you've filled it right up to the fuel cap. I do it all the time. If I could fit a bigger tank or an extra tank i would, I hate fueling up so I squeeze as much in as possible so I don't need to fuel up so many times. It might save me filling up 4 or 5 times per year, that's 4 or 5 stops I don't need to do plus extra time to me. I know I know lol bit tedious but like I said I hate fueling up. Fill it to the cap I say. ☺

[@legal383]

I am a 76 year old retired mechanic. I always top off. Never a spill or a problem.

[@ericscottstevens]

I top off, drive and run the A/C for about 20 minutes Gas tank no longer topped off as engine consumes the extra. Doing this for 18 years.

[@danr8194]

Topping off causes any residual gasoline varnish/dust/road dirt etc to move up to the Evap purge valve making it stick open and engine ends up with evap leak/valve codes. Driving around normally can also do this as fuel does move around in the tank. Take Evap valve off, use some non aggressive brake cleaner and clear codes. Done.

[@HowToCarGuy]

Dan R Nice! Didn't know that! Thanks for contributing to the conversation!

[@wonderwoman6232]

I know that I cannot pump anymore into my F150 after it stops. If I squeeze that handle even one more time, fuel will spill out onto the ground. When the pump stops, it's full.

[@bleachfan178]

I have more miles when I top it off then when I don’t which I’ve noticed. Maybe the nozzle is incorrectly stopping before there’s a full tank of gas. Because everytime I don’t top it off I have like 370 or 380 miles left then when I top it off it’s 420 something.

[@Gamerz00760]

If you doubt this video about overfilling causing issues, leave your fuel door open, those without sensors on the door will have issues detected by evap system leaks out the fuel door, likewise as stated in video, overfilling will also interfere with the sensors.

[@HowToCarGuy]

Excellent point! I hadn't thought of that!

[@fra93ilgrande]

Well said, never top off mine (always put the nozzle away after hearing the "click") 😎👍🏻

[@belcoot1]

do not top off if only there for an environmental purpose. the whole EVAP system is not effected untill fuel is literally flowing out of the tank. until then it has no effect on it. and as far as the clicking off signalling the fullness of the tank, though right in theory, it isn't always accurate. if debris, or a small spider makes a web in the EVAP system, it will cause premature 'clicking' (which was a problem in a few Hyundai model years) resulting in underfilling. the click from the pump is only caused by back pressure. just simply filling on an incline can also cause premature filling. finally, the engineers who designed the fuel systems know people would be to tempted to round up to the next increment, so they designed the fuel tanks to create back pressure a little early to allow for a bit of wiggle room. hope this comment helped shed a little light. :)

[@mercurialmagictrees]

Anthony Valentin ohh okay so if you've never seen it overfilled spilling out then damage has not been done to the evap system yet. is that correct? I've only done it a few times. I won't anymore.

[@moonbounce]

I agree in theory but the difference is what you consider "topping off". Adding a bit more to round off the price is not a problem at all. What you describe sounds more like overflowing the tank to the point gas pours out of the fill port. If you are overflowing the tank you will have the problems described, but not from simply adding another click or two of the nozzle.

[@WifeBTR123]

Charcoal canisters do exist and I have heard topping off all the way can put gas in the canister. One of those little details and if you care you remember.

[@fourbyfourer]

I spray all over the place when I pull out.

[@andrewbixby7324]

As a professional driver i have another reason to not top off is fume expansion once the fuel is to a certain temp it will expand if you have have a full tank and no room to expand you will eventually star damaging things such as fuel pump sensors etc...

[@HowToCarGuy]

Andrew, thanks for the input! Very helpful!

[@chieftp]

gas doesn't "come back up into the nozzle." what actually happens is they'll send a gremlin to follow you home. while you're sleeping, the gremlin will drill a hole in your gas tank and drink your gas. by the way. how is spilling fuel on the ground "bad for the environment" specifically? I deliver gas and it's spilled on the ground when we load it at the rack and it's spilled on the ground when we unload it.

[@rabie4x4]

Kinda like oil spills. It Came from the ground didn't it?

[@gorillaau]

rabie4x4 Yes, it's sending it back to mother earth for recycling.

[@mu3ic2]

Thank you I didn’t know what topping off meant. Side note when the phone/camera close up happened I was slightly frightened of an explosion.

[@traviscapehart7590]

I am ase master certified L1 advanced engine performance specialist. Pro in field since 1993. Look at your gas cap closely. If you have to turn till click it means the vehicle is equiped with evaporative emmisions control. Simply put gasoline vapor is harmful to the environment. It does not occur naturally, and it greatly contributes to smog. Engineers found that capturing the vapor and temporarily holding it in a canister filled with charcoal pellets is the most practical way to almost eliminate this problem. Its cheap, safe, and most important, effective. The canister is connected to the fuel tank by a vapor recovery port on top of the tank. Topping off the tank can and often does cause liquid fuel to flood the port and drain into the cannister wich dissolves the pellets making it useless. Newer vehicles moniter the effectiveness of the system by wathing for very specific changes in o2 sensor readings during the purge cycle when the car pulls vapors from the cannister to burn them in the engine. Long story short typical cannister replacement can cost 500 bucks or more depending on model. Is it worth that check engine light and repair bill? No! First click every time, period. Help yourself, and your wallet.

[@HowToCarGuy]

I can't thank you enough for this! You have given us a PERFECT explanation and I thank you!!! Great job, my friend!

[@mercurialmagictrees]

Travis Capehart so if someone did that on a rare occasion is there still a potential problem ? I won't do that anymore. I just like to know that if I don't do that anymore will the system be fine?

[@spencers4121]

My mothers car had something going wrong with her fuel system, car wouldn't start on the first key turn and strong smell of gas. Come to find out my step dad who would fuel the car for her 99% of the time, would do this. Mechanics told him that was the problem, over filling the tank did something to the fuel pump or seal etc.

[@Allangulon]

If you want a little free fuel,set an amount,full until the pump stops,then hold the handle,and you will notice that a little more fuel will flow out of the nozzle!

[@richardlahan7068]

I just pay attention to the label inside the fuel filler door. I don't really question why it's there.

[@philipaltamore331]

yes you are right i see a lot of gas attendents do that and also when they close the cap the click it 40 times

[@johntorre1213]

A very useful advise. I learned my lesson not to top off, by replacing 2 charcoal canister and 2 leak detection pump on a BMW X3. I always used to go for the extra .50 to have a whole dollar amount not knowing i was harming the evaporative system in the vehicle. When you hear that click stop what ever the $$ is. New vehicles are so complex now a days.

[@HowToCarGuy]

That's absolutely correct, my friend! Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@oswaldoflores9206]

I accidentally overfueled my tank tonight. First time ever lol. Will it damage my car or would it run normally?

[@HowToCarGuy]

Great question! I wouldn’t worry about it. You just don’t want to make a regular habit of it.

[@danielserrano2492]

You know what’s crazy is iv actually never heard of not topping off until today iv done it my whole life and I don’t think it has done anything to my car but I’m glad to know this so next time I fill up i know not to top off

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

I always fill up 1 gallon water bottles with 1.2 gallons of water. 🤣

[@HowToCarGuy]

Out of all the comments on this video this by far is the best comment! I truly mean that 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

@@HowToCarGuy, 😆 thanks 🤣

[@HCJServices]

I love it when he says if the gas spills on the ground that's bad for the environment all these people out here smoking damn cigarettes

[@qb4hkm]

Got a Volvo V70 d5 163hp diesel and I always top it off so I can see the fuel inside the pipe. Fuel economy is great for 2.4l turbodiesel that strong. It's ~7liters per 100km 50/50 city/highway.

[@tfaber9394]

You should also never let your gas get below 1/4 tank.... most cars have an in-tank fuel pump and the pump overheats and wears out much sooner if there's not enough liquid in the tank to keep it cooled off. I had a girlfriend that replaced 3 fuel pumps in 2 years because she would always drive around with hardly any gas in the tank.

[@thecarsectionthecarsection6420]

Thanks never knew that but I'll check my gas tank to see what it says

[@gunner305lincoln2]

I own a new civic and I always top it off, best feeling ever when u see ur gas gage taking for ever to move towards empty... i never let it fall onto the floor tho... don't have that much money to spill gas ...

[@robertheinkel6225]

The fuel is stored underground at the gas station, and is at a cooler temp. During the summer months, the fuel warms up once it gets in the autos tank and starts to expand with the warmer outside temp. If the tank is too full the fuel travels to the evaporative system, which is designed to handle vapors, not liquid. The car manufacturers have already designed the tank for expansion. If you drive a couple of miles after it is filled up, the level starts dropping immediately. So the only time it may be a problem is on very warm days, where the car is not driven after being topped off. I have only been topping off all my cars for 60 years.

[@Deepwaterjew]

Then explain why I go further when I top off... By your theory after the pump shits itself off no more gas goes in the tank. Incorrect, it will start filling the fill neck. Generally you're safe to pump in a decent bit before you're at risk of spilling any. Also, it's diesel fuel that's worse for the environment, not gasoline. Diesel doesn't exactly evaporate, gas takes seconds.

[@ICARUS_I]

Very helpful info that I never knew before. You may have very well saved me hundreds of dollars in future fill ups. Thank you sir.

[@HowToCarGuy]

Thanks for the comment SilentHill401! I hope this helps and I hope you find my other videos helpful too!

[@michaelcollins1899]

SilentHill401 another dummy

[@sar4564]

Would be the same as eating till you burst then you can even move. Give this guy some credit. Remember the saying..... nothing in excess is good !

[@madilee2437]

I have a Rav4 I'm not going to lie to you I have done that a lot. For 3 years I've been topping off my car. I used fuel additives to and I never had a single problem instead of running roughly it runs smoothly. However, my Charcoal canister went in bad shape I mean destroyed I had to pay $1,254.68 to fix it. I learn my lesson NOT to top off. I don’t know if I should believe (it sucking in gas back.) I think the sucking back gasoline is a lie. If you pumping gas in your car and you hear the click. Take nozzle (turn the nozzle upside down and you'll see gasoline stuck in the nozzle comes out which you pay for but didn't get into your vehicle). that's a proof to me that it never sucks in. If it suck in some stay in nozzle ( And there a video about that on how to save gasoline.)

[@mylescrumel9633]

Madi Lee welll clearly your somewhat right but yet you are not .... gasoline isn’t “sucked” into anything to start off with.... the pressure between the main valve is touching the gasoline when it is so call full causes the second pressure to change in the second little valve making gasoline move back up into that secondary valve Tripping the whole thing making it turn off (( aka the clicking sound))

[@Allangulon]

Madi Lee Look at the nozzle,you will see a small hole under the nozzle,it is pulling a low vacuum,that is how the pump knows that the fuel has reached the nozzle tip as it registers a pressure differential when trying to draw a liquid instead of air! It will not draw fuel back in to the pump though!

[@nowayout8639]

I have a RAV4 and over filled the gas. The check engine light came on right after filling up. First time in over 40 years. Mechanic said I need a new evap canister. Bought one but waited 2 weeks to install. Reset the battery for something else and guess what the code clear and did not come back. Waited another week and check engine light did not come back so I returned the evap canister. Over 2 years still ok. That evap was over $600.

[@petegower2031]

Does this apply to diesel engines? As I have never had any problems with doing the above for long trips for 30 odd years?!

[@ginofoogle6944]

i always top it off.. never had a problem.

[@BluntForceTrauma666]

Setting aside any clearly visible spillage due to overfilling of the tank, the rest of this is PURE BUNK. The car doesn't signal when the pump should stop, the mechanism inside the _PUMP HANDLE_ does and fuel released after the initial shutoff DOES NOT go back up the hose into the pump. The mechanism inside the handle will NOT allow this to happen - it simply won't allow any more flow when it senses liquid at the outlet of the nozzle. The only two VALID reasons for why topping off MIGHT be a bad idea are 1. Environmental due to spillage and 2., _Possible_ damage to the vehicle's evaporative control system (carbon canister and/or purge valve).

[@freakyflow]

......overfill check valve...... As for Talk show Mechanics .. I knew a few before they made it to air They would buy Aucton cars to wipe any accident legal acknowledgements and fill in rusted floor panels with rivets and sheet metal and rubber guard 2005 Chevy Blazer 4x4 2dr 4.3L Auto I have owned this Truck since new.. Oil changes, Tune ups, Brakes, Hoses, Batteries, Alt all done by me..Checked the evap system last fall (17') everything normal I been " Topping off" a extra $1.50 -$2.50 most all the time ..I even hear it coming up the neck as it changes pitch

[@jdigitalseven7]

Barely does anything negative for the environment....but it can destroy your evap system that is forced in cars these days when you "top off". Can lead to expensive repairs.

[@barnseyfrommossley]

Biggest problem is with diesels. Over 60% of the fuel drawn from the tank is returned after a trip around the hot engine bay. The fuel expands and could block the breathers, or overflow through the cap.

[@777Edub]

Yeah, Ima go ahead and disagree. At least for me, when I hear the click i pull the nozzle half way out and squeeze gently until i see gas starting to come back up i easily get another gallon this way. On the bike and in the car

[@DBWave94]

Another gallon? I think you need to go back to science class, bud.

[@504girl3rd]

777Edub yep, I do too.

[@moist_potato2837]

Same

[@headshot9754]

Interesting that he is saying don’t top off but really has not hit on why it is a problem. All modern cars have a vapour recovery system that relies on a filter and relays that capture any gas vapour that would normally escape from the tank while you’re filling it. The way the system works relies on the filler tube to be small enough so that all of the fuel that goes in pushes the vapours in the tank out through a Charcoal cannister that’s located above the tank. In essence the fill tube has a liquid seal as the fuel is poured into it and does not allow any gas vapour to backflow out of that Fill tube. If you overfill your tank you will push not only vapours but also liquid gasoline into the vapour recovery system. So why should you care. If in fact you do get liquid into your cannister it will cause the fuel fill system to back up. In other words the gas won’t go into the tank because there’s nowhere for the vapours to escape. I had this happen to me and the dealer wanted $450 to repair it.And I can tell you if you were living in a place that’s very cold and it takes you 30 minutes to get the fuel into your vehicle because your vapour recovery system is damaged you will not be happy. Manufacturers were forced to install these systems to prevent hydrocarbons from escaping into the atmosphere. When you start your car The vapours that were captured will be pulled into the engine and burned as fuel. So to some extent you will be getting fuel that normally goes up into the air. However this amount of fuel is very small and would never pay for the additional cost of the system to be installed in the first place. So it is all about the environment. But overfilling can damage your fuel vapour recovery system And make it very difficult to get fuel into your tank. If you do have this happen the only way to get fuel in is to literally trickle it in at a very low rate.

[@bobmoynes1551]

Damn I thought I was going to be a rebel and here I am just one of the crowd. GM was once sued because they sold optional large gas tanks that were actually the same size as the standard small ones, weird eh. The filler neck in the small tank was about 8 inches long and in the large tank (same outside dimensions) it was only 3 or 4 inches allowing you to put more full in the tank ( before it would foam and click off ). topping off only fills a little more of the tank and while it's not a good idea to do this normally, if you are going to be driving for a while and the gas is cheap it's a great idea.And that is "the rest of the story"

[@xr6turbo324]

Bob Moynes a link to that sue for large gas tank story?

[@bobm7275]

@@xr6turbo324 this is a reallly late reply as I just rediscovered this email. It could be an urban legend but I have personally pulled the spout out of several tanks and found there to be two sizes. This was in the 73 to87 range any that I observed 73 to 78.

[@MrFinesse316]

makes sence..

[@grassroot011]

It's a back pressure thing that shuts off the nozzle. butr yes, it's not good to overfill as it will flood the charcoal canniister and eventually ruin it.

[@casavilla458]

That is correct I don't know? If it happens if you overfill it to it pours out overtime pushing the nozzle after the click the only time it's safe to do it is with an old-fashioned vehicle with the carburetor because then it'll hole in the pipe stem

[@electron7659]

Simple solution. If you want to round your fuel tab to the nearest even dollar amount, always use a portable gallon fuel container to pour the excess fuel. ⛽ When, your fuel amount has dropped down after driving for a while, then you can always pour the extra fuel into your tank. Problem solved. Unfortunately, critical thinking and practicality has greatly diminished within our society.

[@Everlongsafehaven]

Don’t do this buddy topped his tank off drove a couple miles engine threw a rod hit the ground sparked caught the trail of fuel he was leaking the flames shot up in the tank and the car completely blew never saw the ford again (buddy walked with minor injuries)

[@HowToCarGuy]

And then there's This! Wow! I'm glad he's ok!

[@SunnyWu]

Someone needs to instruct those Oregon gas fillers. They top off on like every car!!!

[@Cruz474]

Or just leave that retarded state

[@dougb5202]

It's not retarded, just archaic gas pumping laws, such a pain to gas up there, don't know how they put up with it.

[@fiodor991]

Second Think is that all dirts over the cup collecting with the age of a car and over filling splashing dirt down to the tank. And you have to replacing filters soonest. If u lucky

[@djkrazymm502]

DO NOT TOP OFF GASOLINE TANK is for manufacturer's environmental liability and driver and occupants safety and liability. Gasoline tends to expand and cause excess fumes and vapors to build up pressure, so when you have fuel up to the cap you are risking a very dangerous situation as the excess might end up in the EVAP system on new cars and out the cap on older ones, and catch on fire!!! EVAP line is usually located close to the filler cap, by the top of the filler neck. New vehicles have sealed fuel systems and do not have vented gas caps, so gasoline vapor travels through the EVAP system that partially returns vapor back in the engine's combustion chamber and/or vents through the charcoal canister gets cleaned up and vents out into the air. Also it depends how you top it off. If you keep clicking a perfectly functional nozzle, eventually it will stop pumping at the tip of the nozzle, which is usually about 10 inch long, you will still have some room for expansion to reach the EVAP line, but if you pull the nozzle out and you slowly fill fuel all the way to the edge of the filler neck then you are asking for FIRE and/or EXPLOSION since the excess fuel will end up in the charcoal canister! If fuel leaks out of your gas cap on a vehicle with a sealed EVAP system you have to replace the cap immediately since it will set off check engine light the least, or you are driving around with a Molotov cocktail waiting to catch fire!!! Same statement is valid for vented gas caps, except you don't have to replace the cap just do not fill gasoline until it reaches the edge of the filler neck!!!

[@markwiering]

Thank you for this information. I never knew this. I never top off anyways, so this advice isn't life-changing for me, but it's still interesting to know the possible consequences of filling the gasoline to the filler.

[@thomasisbell2974]

Your reasoning, I can believe.

[@paulk5311]

wait what? you think there are people that hold the nozzle out of the filler pipe and keep dumping gasoline in there? there is a flap door that has to be breached or the gas will splash out on your feet. personally i do not know anyone stupid enough to do that and i know some pretty stupid people. i guess you could get a funnel to hold the flap open but that is a lot of work to add a few pennies of fuel.

[@godschild5587]

I top off to round the price and get little more gas at the same time. Next time if i want to top off then i take out the hose out of tank a little bit and so I see that gas is going in my tank, but first I want real evidence more research to know if this is true.

[@prosens52]

Fun fact: (at least in some places in America) this warning is present on the gas handle

[@rorodaf3312]

Thank you very much for this info.. keep going.

[@HowToCarGuy]

Roro, Thanks for the comment! I hope you enjoy my other videos too!

[@SuzukiRider93]

If you have a cruze eco you can put more than an extra gallon in once it clicks off. About 4.5 liters I think

[@markfox1545]

What absolute bollocks. The click is NOT the car saying it's full - it's a sensor in the nozzle shutting off the flow of fuel. It's fine to add a little more - you'll use enough fuel in just a mile to account for any expansion of the fuel.

[@HowToCarGuy]

You said bollocks

[@lazycalm41]

Mark Fox is totally correct here! the OP's advice is wrong!

[@carlosmatos9848]

Yep, thats an auto shutoff switch inside the fuel nozzle. Theres a small hole for air to flow into, when the air flow stops it basically triggers a switch to shut off the pump.

[@martynh5410]

Mark Fox I agree with your comment, this is 100% correct. The video is wrong in this regard. It is also wrong regarding the pump sucking the fuel back up. I have topped off tanks many times. The only issue I have had is going too far and spilling a small amount and that I agree is wasted gas (and a potential hazard).

[@styldsteel1]

Mark Fox I always top off. If I don’t my gas needle won’t be on full. I get three or four bucks more sometimes

[@soNso2]

If it go's back up the nozzle after the click & not in the tank then it can't spill out. Just saying.

[@freddyply]

I'm a fuel engineer and I won't go as far as to say you are wrong on this subject, it is however outdated as modern day pumps have vapour recovery style nozzles which wouldn't let the fuel sit inside the nozzle. you also missed one key move when mimicking the "topping off" in that most people edge the pump out of the car a few inches before doing it. again, impossible to leave fuel in the nozzle this way.

[@Sarge084]

Ullage is the term we used in military air transport. Fuel expands and contracts like any other medium, so to avoid over-spill you do not top off. Gasoline is generally stored in underground tanks and is therefore cooler. Pumping gas into the tank of a vehicle warmed by the sun then warms up the gasoline causing it to expand. Without that village capacity the fuel will overspill and become a fire hazard, and even weaken bitumen road surfaces.

[@OldCrow120]

What do you do if you accidentally top off your tank and your car starts running rough?

[@daveschott9052]

Some information there wow

[@samodio586]

This is not for people wet behind the ears. The old days when you used to pull the license plate down to fill the car with Regular topping off is a big problem because you will take a shower in fuel and when it backs up on you and when you take off the gas will go shooting out the back. Also the habit of doing this comes from Gas lines and Even Odd gas day. You really wanted to get every drop in there you possible could.

[@288theabe]

I let it click twice, and that’s it. Gasoline can’t go back into the station’s tanks, but what causes that click is actually foam and bubbles; kinda like the head from draft beer. That’s why I click it twice because I know there’s room for another litre or so. (Not to mention I tilt it up a bit to get a few more drops, but that’s another story) That said though, I have seen gas come back out of the nozzle and drip down my car before when I was much younger so there is some truth to this.

[@danthemanwhocancan]

Wow this really is a controversial topic!!

[@imhappyandyou.4003]

Your right but.. When you get to A quarter tank that's the last notch B4 empty for those who can't understand lol. You should not have less than that ever, it is the one thing that cools your fuel pump and if ever you have had to replace the thing you know what it costs!. If not the job takes A mechanic about 20mins to fix but costs almost $750.00 plus labor so do yourself A favor and keep more than A 1/4 tank in it at all times!!. This goes for newer cars as well

[@A_guan]

I never top off the tank because in my state people pump it for you but whenever I don't anywhere out of state I do top it off because my causing range is supposed to be higher then when the pop noise

[@HowToCarGuy]

You will be fine since you don't top it off all the time but you may find that if you topped it off all the time then you would eventually see a decrease in fuel economy b/c the car can't operate as well if it's too full. It's the same principal as when someone eats way too much food and feels bad - the car is the same...

[@russelldheilman]

HowToCarGuy why can't the car operate as well?

[@moemunny4903]

It's like people spending $30K on a "fuel saving" model when they would save SHITLOADS MORE on a cheaper car!

[@kurtharer8715]

Well, that's a new one on me, however, say you are pumping the gas, and, with my vehicle at fill up, it's around 56 dollars. If it stops at say, 55.80, and, just for shits & giggles, I decide to round it at 56.00. Would just that extra 20 cents make that much of a difference? I know back in the 70s, I had a 1974 Chevrolet Nova. All that happened after topping off, esp. in the Summertime, the gas dribbled out of the tank, as in expansion of gas, as I knew that would happen. But, today, 20 cents more to round it, can make a difference?

[@outdoorrelaxation5511]

And after reading the comments people have no clue how these pumps work the little hole or hopes on the nozzle yeah that's the vapor recovery it pulls a vaccum yes , will it take fluids in to an extent but it has a built in valve once the vapor density changes it closes the valve and spits the gas it sucked up back into the tank on your car

[@scarface829]

I get an extra gallon of gas when I top off. Manufacturer states 18.5 capacity. It takes skill to pull the pump trigger. Don’t squeeze the trigger or you end having gas pooling out.

[@inachu]

I can agree if a warning is there then yes do not top off.

[@MrPrankcaller321]

i top off all the time. when i top off i leave the nozzle on the ege.

[@justaguy4real]

EC Clockwork that's true topping off

[@eiserntorsphantomoftheoper2154]

My friend topped his tank off. He's doing Life + 20.....

[@HowToCarGuy]

That's just silly, the federal tank top off statute indicates that, "one shall not be sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison." So, your friend could only do a 10 year max.

[@eiserntorsphantomoftheoper2154]

HowToCarGuy He topped off his tank on the way to rob a Brinks truck....

[@dennisleslie]

Did he top off the Brinks truck too? Haha

[@alagogo]

Wha ???

[@gbaerial]

When the nozzle pops off when I'm gassing my Honda CRV there's room for 2.5 more gallons until it reaches the top of the filler neck which I watch so it doesn't overflow. That's worth 60+ more miles until the "I'm thirsty" light comes on. That filler neck must be real long or real fat.

[@MrTrudac]

Well,I must be a very lucky guy cause I have done it that way for 40 years and never had a problem

[@dstr1]

david quinn this is a recent technological upgrade to service station pumping system. The new system is designed to capture the volatile fumes and return it to the underground tank It also capture fuel and return it to the underground tank to AVOID a spill. It's a part of the environmental requirement. Things do change in 40 years . More over you may only suffer in your wallet by paying for gas that is returned to the service station.