If you’ve ever overfilled your gas tank, then you know that moment of sheer fear! But, no need to worry. It happens to the best of us. Sometimes you might be daydreaming about that yummy dinner spot, and BAM – your tank overflows. But what happens if you overfill your gas tank? And what to do if this happens to you.
What is Overfilling?
Overfilling is when you fill your gas tank beyond its recommended level. Usually, this occurs when the pump valve shuts off pumping, and an individual tries to pump more. It’s important to note that overfilling is different from topping off.
Topping off is when you fill your tank up to the recommended level and then add a little more. This is usually done to round the amount spent, but it’s important to know that topping off your tank can still have dangerous consequences.
The most common reason why people overfill their tanks is that they want to save money. It can be tempting to pay for an extra gallon or two of gas and get more bang for your buck.
But what most people don’t realize is that overfilling your tank can actually cost you more money in the long run. It can interfere with the vehicle’s fuel injection system, resulting in decreased power and acceleration.
Overfilling your gas tank can have serious consequences, both for the environment and for your safety. Not only can it cause environmental damage, but it can also lead to a potential fire or explosion. Therefore, it’s important to always pay attention to the level of your tank and to fill up only to the recommended level.
What happens if you overfill your gas tank?
You may think that an overfilled gas tank is no big deal. Sure, you have to go home and change your shoes (and ride with the windows open for a while to get the gasoline stench out of your car), but that’s as far as your worries go, right? It’s actually a little more complicated than that. An overfilled gas tank can cause serious problems with your car, including:
- Damaged solenoids, which can prevent your car from starting.
- A saturated charcoal canister, which can lead to issues when filling your car with gas as well as a smell of gasoline in your car cabin.
- Purge valve failure, which can lead to poor fuel efficiency, emissions issues, and rough idling.
Overall, if you have an overfilled gas tank it can lead to issues with starting and accelerating your car, poor fuel efficiency, and problems with your emissions system. Further, when you spill gas on the ground, you’re polluting soil and water sources, as well as contributing to air pollution. And let’s not forget that gas is flammable – even fumes from gasoline can ignite when exposed to a spark.
So what should you do if you face this situation?
What to Do When You Overfill Your Gas Tank
Don’t panic if fuel overflowed when you were pumping gas. A one-time accident isn’t likely to destroy your fuel system immediately. And accidents do happen. I was filling my car using a pump with a faulty air pressure sensor in the handle (or I didn’t have the nozzle fully inserted into the filler pipe). The gas flow didn’t stop until I released the trigger after hearing liquid pouring from the tank opening.
When that happens to you, clean up the mess you made on the side of your car and the ground. Then, take a drive to burn some gas. Meanwhile, remind yourself to follow fundamental guidelines next time to prevent overfilling gas tanks:
- If there’s any gasoline anywhere near your car or on it, go ahead and clean it up at the gas station.
- Take a drive and burn off some gas fuel, so you don’t have too much gas sitting in there.
- Don’t forget, next time don’t overfill your gas tank!
Why you shouldn’t overfill our gas tank?
It may be obvious that you shouldn’t do this, but since you are reading this article maybe not so much. It’s ok, we all have been there before and the fact that you are reading this goes to show that you are very much being proactive.
It’s either that or you just want to quiet your worries. Here is a list of reasons why you shouldn’t overfill your gas tank, next time you seriously think it may be a good idea (news flash it’s not).
- It can be harmful to the environment as the gas spills onto the ground and can seep into soil pollute nearby water, and cause a higher risk of air pollution.
- It can be a safety hazard to your Clermont Toyota as gas leakage causes surrounding areas to be more likely to start a fire.
- An overfilled gas tank leads to a decrease in your car’s performance. This is because a too-high fuel level can interfere with the vehicle’s fuel injection system. This causes a decrease in power and acceleration. It also gives you less fuel economy.
How to Avoid an Overfilled Gas Tank
If you continue to overfill your gas tank, then this could cause an expensive car maintenance repair down the line. Here’s what the experts have to say about an overfilled gas tank.
- If you’re someone who locks the pump handle when you’re fueling up, then don’t wander off. Be sure you stay directly by the pump and listen for the “click” that lets you know that the tank is full.
- Next, be sure that you’re mindful and not daydreaming about the weekend. Always be sure that you listen for the “click.” Plus, when you hear the “click,” don’t continue to pump to get that very last drop in. Just stop.
- Finally, don’t just top it off either. Some people will pump continuously even after the “click” has gone off. This is unnecessary and can cause everything to spill out.
Topping off your tank won’t save you money on fuel (despite the common misconception). You can actually cost yourself money by damaging your car.