Do You
Make This Mistake at The Gas Pump?
By
Scott Siegel
http://www.beatthegaspump.com
Do you top off your gas tank and
overfill it? When the gas pump nozzle clicks off
automatically, do you add a little more gas to
round off
your dollar sale? Topping off your gas tank is bad for
the environment and your wallet.
Here's why:
Topping off the gas tank can result in your paying for gasoline that is
fed back into the station's tanks because your gas tank is full. The
gas nozzle automatically clicks off when your gas tank is full. In many
areas, gas station pumps are equipped with vapor recovery systems that
feed back gas vapors into their tanks to prevent vapors from escaping
into the air and contributing to air pollution. Any additional gas you
try to pump into your tank may be drawn into the vapor line and fed
back into the station's storage tanks. That means that you
will be paying for gas that doesn't get into your tank thus raising
your cost for gas.
Gasoline vapors are harmful to breathe. Gasoline vapors contribute to
bad ozone days and are a source of toxic air pollutants such as
benzene. Evaporation from the spillage of gas from overfilling can
occur, contributing to the air pollution problem.
Not only is it bad for the environment it is also bad for your wallet.
You pay for the gas that evaporates or is spilled on the
ground. When you top off there is a good chance that one or
both of those things will happen and that will cost you.
There is another downside to topping your gas tank. Gas
expands as it gets warmer. Especially in the summer,
generally the gas from underground tanks will be cooler than the
air. As it warms up in your gas tank it expands.
You need extra room in your gas tank to allow the gasoline to expand.
If you top off your tank, the extra gas may evaporate into your
vehicle's vapor collection system. That system may become fouled and
will not work properly causing your vehicle to run poorly and have high
gas emissions.
In this case you will be hit with a double whammy! The gas
that expands and is lost is gas that you have paid for and have not
used. That's wasted gas and money. Also if the
extra expanding gas fouls up the vapor collection system your car will
operate less efficiently. A less efficient car means less
fuel efficiency which means you will use more gas which means it will
cost you more money.
The next time you fill your car or truck up at the gas station;
remember not to top it off. When the pump automatically stops
your tank should be full enough. Not only will you be saving
yourself money, you will be helping the environment!
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Scott
Siegel is the author of "Beat The Gas Pump!"
Learn
how to protect yourself as the price of gas goes up! Learn
more about saving money and gas at the pump. Over 130 ways to
save and
increase
fuel economy.
If you want to take your money out
of your gas tank and put it back in your pocket go to:
http://www.beatthegaspump.com
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