We are all tempted to put a little more fuel in the tank from time to time. For a nice round amount, because petrol or diesel is slightly cheaper that day or because we can drive just a little further. But it’s not smart.
A petrol or diesel pump automatically switches off when your tank is about full. At least that is the case if the pump is properly adjusted and you have put the fuel nozzle properly in your filler cap. But even then, refueling is not a good idea. But why exactly?
There are several reasons why you shouldn’t fill up to the brim. With every ‘click’, a (small) bit of fuel is sucked back into the hose because modern fuel pumps are equipped with an extraction system. Then you pay for petrol or diesel that you return to the oil company.
More importantly, however, is that you take the risk of storing fuel in places that are not intended for that if you continue to fill up after that first ‘click’. You can then not only fill the tank, but also the filling channel. With more fuel in your car than intended, the risk of costs increases.
Sensitive system
After all, a tank of a modern car is part of a hermetically sealed whole. As soon as you close the filler cap, the system is completely closed. That is mandatory. No harmful petrol vapors must be released into the air. Pressure differences are absorbed by an expansion tank and vapors that want to escape pass through a carbon filter and finally end up in the engine, where they are burned.
The entire system is designed for fuel consumption and fuel, which – like all fluids – shrinks and expands with temperature. That so-called Evap system is sensitive. That has to be because it has to do with emissions. Your car will sound the alarm as soon as there is a hole somewhere in the system or if the efficiency of a component drops.
More important than the orange warning light that lights up on your dashboard and the impact on performance – sometimes a car won’t start – are the consequences for your wallet. The repair costs of such an Evap system can be considerable, up to 1000 euros and more.
Conclusion?
Putting more gasoline or diesel into the tank than usual is certainly not the only cause of problems with the gas tank and related systems. But the risk does increase. And since it doesn’t actually yield anything anyway, it might be better not to do it.
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