Buying gas is still a necessary evil for most drivers today, despite EVs rising in popularity. However, drivers need to know more than how to look for cheap gas prices. Many car owners think adding as much fuel as the gas station pumps will allow is good practice. Sadly, this isn’t advised, as overfilling the gas tank can cause issues. 

Putting too much fuel in your car at gas station pumps can have consequences

More is better in most situations, including when it comes to gas in your vehicle. However, as with most things, there are exceptions. In a nutshell, going to gas station pumps and putting as much fuel in your car as possible is not a good idea. 

The first reason overfilling your gas tank is terrible is that it can damage your vehicle. This is partly because excess gas can cover the vaper intake hole. From here, the excess liquid can get into the charcoal canister, damaging it and other fuel system parts. This is one reason the check engine light might come on. Unfortunately, going to auto mechanics to fix the issue is rather costly. 

According to Consumer Watchdog, gas expands as temperatures rise. Because of this, going to gas station pumps and overfilling your fuel tank could cause ongoing problems that might lead to mechanical issues. Apparently, fuel expands about 1% for every 15 degrees. 

Readers should also know that gas station pumps have vapor recovery systems. This means the pump can take back the excess gas, which means you’re wasting your money when overfilling your car. This usually happens if you continue to fill the car after the gas pump makes the first clicking sound. 

Running out of gas is also bad

Of course, there are other problems besides getting too much fuel when visiting gas station pumps. Some people run out of gas or get dangerously close to doing so too often, which can cause severe problems with their beloved vehicles. For starters, running out of gas can damage your fuel pump. The fuel pump can suck up debris and overheat when there isn’t enough gas. 

Running out of gas can also damage the engine. It may not happen after only a few instances—however, the sputtering and misfiring from running out of fuel cause long-term damage. Of course, it can damage your vehicle in other ways.