Should You Top Off Your Car’s Gas Tank?
Squeezing in that extra bit could be doing more damage to your car’s system than it’s worth
Whether we want to round up or simply get as much gas into the tank as possible, some of us top off our vehicles by squeezing in a little more, even after the pump shuts off to indicate the tank is full. Can adding that extra bit of fuel damage components in your car’s fuel system?
“There’s a lot more going on in a car’s fuel tank than just a tank,” says John Ibbotson, Consumer Reports’ chief mechanic. “Fuel systems have become more sophisticated over time to keep up with increasingly stricter emission laws.”
Topping off could damage the onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system, a charcoal canister that collects potentially harmful fuel vapor during the refueling process and then absorbs it using activated carbon. The ORVR helps reduce hydrocarbon emissions by about 95 percent during refueling, according to the automotive supplier Eaton.
@consumerreports It’s common for drivers to keep going after the gas pump clicks off, but the practice can damage your car. It's also an environmental and safety hazard 🔥 🙅♀️. #cartok #carsoftiktok #gastank
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Editor’s Note: This article has been adapted from an episode of Talking Cars.
