“Why do people shake their cars when topping up fuel? Does it create more room for extra fuel?”
When I was younger, I spent four years working at a gas & service station, and often witnessed people gently rock their car or truck back and forth after the pump clicked off on a fill-up.
I’ll admit that I’ve never asked anyone why they do this, but the reasoning seemed clear enough: by rocking the vehicle, it could help displace any pockets of air that might have been trapped within the fuel tank, which could (potentially) allow the vehicle to hold a bit more fuel.
Fuel tank shapes are not simple cub
“Why do people shake their cars when topping up fuel? Does it create more room for extra fuel?”
When I was younger, I spent four years working at a gas & service station, and often witnessed people gently rock their car or truck back and forth after the pump clicked off on a fill-up.
I’ll admit that I’ve never asked anyone why they do this, but the reasoning seemed clear enough: by rocking the vehicle, it could help displace any pockets of air that might have been trapped within the fuel tank, which could (potentially) allow the vehicle to hold a bit more fuel.
Fuel tank shapes are not simple cubes or spheres … they’re often oddly shaped to conform to the shape of the floorpan or to avoid some chassis component or whatever, which could potentially result in areas within the tank that could trap air during a fill-up. So there’s some logic to what folks are doing when they rock the vehicle back and forth (trying to get the air pocket to move from wherever it is trapped).
In reality, though, even if they are successful at dislodging an air pocket, it’s unlikely that fuel will rush in to fill the void. More than likely, the air will simply return to that spot as the fuel stops sloshing about in the tank, because the air is still lighter than the fuel and will always rise to the highest part of the tank … where it typically gets trapped against the underside of the top of the tank. Even if the air doesn’t return and fuel does fill the void (which is possible), you’re probably not talking more than a few fluid ounces of fuel. Auto manufacturers are generally somewhat careful about the shape of the fuel tank to minimize cavities in which air might get trapped.
I do know that on my own vehicles, when the pump handle clicks off on its own, I’ll generally count to 10 slowly, which gives the fuel a few seconds to settle from the filler neck and the tank vent tube back into the tank, then I can often get another half-gallon or more of fuel into the vehicle. On my truck, I often can get over a gallon more into the tank after the handle clicks off.
=== Update ===========
A number of folks have rightly pointed out that over-filling your fuel tank could potentially result in damage to your vehicle’s charcoal cannister, which is part of its vapor recovery or Evaporative Recovery system. (Quick lesson: cars older than about 1972 featured vented fuel caps that allowed vapors within the gas tank to vent directly to the atmosphere, which obviously isn’t good for the environment. Around 1972, the EPA required fuel systems to be “closed” systems, so any vapors from the fuel tank — instead of being vented to the outside air — travel through a hose to a charcoal cannister then get drawn into the engine and burned.)
So, depending on the design of your vehicle’s vapor recovery system, overfilling your tank could cause raw fuel (not just vapors) to travel through the EVAP hose to the charcoal cannister, where it would soak the charcoal, potentially rendering it ineffective and requiring replacement of the (sealed) cannister).
As I indicated in my original response (above), rocking the vehicle to dislodge an air bubble within the tank is of questionable effectiveness and even if it were, you tend to gain little extra fuel capacity from it. Overfilling your tank by repeatedly adding fuel after the pump clicks off automatically can potentially be even more damaging to your charcoal cannister. If you weigh the cost and time of replacing your vehicle’s charcoal cannister — to say nothing of potential environmental impacts — there is little to be gained by stuffing the tank at a fill-up, to get a few teaspoons-full of fuel in the tank so you can drive a couple more miles before having to stop again.
While fueling, the liquid passes through a filler pipe and into the actual tank. Filler pipes which attach to gas tanks are rarely straight and they almost never fill the tank from the top down. They also frequently contain check balls in them to prevent gas from sloshing out through the fill pipe to the gas cap. Because of this, air can get trapped either in the filler pipe or in the tank itself.
This is actually not a problem, and the additional amount of fuel you are actually adding is miniscule compare to the tank’s capacity. In addition, by topping off in this way, you are more likely to s
While fueling, the liquid passes through a filler pipe and into the actual tank. Filler pipes which attach to gas tanks are rarely straight and they almost never fill the tank from the top down. They also frequently contain check balls in them to prevent gas from sloshing out through the fill pipe to the gas cap. Because of this, air can get trapped either in the filler pipe or in the tank itself.
This is actually not a problem, and the additional amount of fuel you are actually adding is miniscule compare to the tank’s capacity. In addition, by topping off in this way, you are more likely to spill gas from the filler and cause gas to run into the small vapor recovery tube which leads to your charcoal canister.
In summary, when filling your own tank, when the automatic shutoff clicks off, just put the nozzle back on the pump, secure the gas cap and drive on. No shaking. No topping off. No spills. No worries…
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You might not even realize it, but your car insurance company is probably overcharging you. In fact, they’re kind of counting on you not noticing. Luckily,
Here’s the thing: I wish I had known these money secrets sooner. They’ve helped so many people save hundreds, secure their family’s future, and grow their bank accounts—myself included.
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I have witnessed a few cars that let an air bubble out if you shook the car a little. I think my 1972 Olds Delta 88. It had the fuel filler behind the license plate. I think my dad’s 1977 For LTD would do it as well. I would notice it more if the car was parked on a slight incline with the filler tube on the high side. This would make at least a gallon difference in how much the tank would hold. I’ve tried it a few times with the newer cars that I have had since then but I don’t think I’ve observed a bubble coming out of most of them.
I remember watching the gas station attendants in Honduras w
I have witnessed a few cars that let an air bubble out if you shook the car a little. I think my 1972 Olds Delta 88. It had the fuel filler behind the license plate. I think my dad’s 1977 For LTD would do it as well. I would notice it more if the car was parked on a slight incline with the filler tube on the high side. This would make at least a gallon difference in how much the tank would hold. I’ve tried it a few times with the newer cars that I have had since then but I don’t think I’ve observed a bubble coming out of most of them.
I remember watching the gas station attendants in Honduras work really hard to top off a fuel tank as high as possible. It was a point of pride to them that could get an extra half gallon or so into the tank. I used to do it as well until all the publicity came out saying “Don’t top off you tanks!!” for safety reasons. I would fill it up to the top of the filler neck slowly and watch it go down then fill it up again. I would do this 7 or 8 times until it didn’t go down anymore. I could get an extra gallon in the tank of my little 1991 Mazda 626 that way. That was an extra 30 miles of driving for me. I think that tank would burp sometimes as well.
There could be a few reasons for this, but let me break down some of the most common culprits for you.
1. First, you might be dealing with an issue related to the fuel injectors. When fuel injectors get dirty or clogged, they don't spray the right amount of fuel into the engine. This can cause your engine to misfire, which might be why you're feeling that shaking. Now, if this happens right after y
There could be a few reasons for this, but let me break down some of the most common culprits for you.
1. First, you might be dealing with an issue related to the fuel injectors. When fuel injectors get dirty or clogged, they don't spray the right amount of fuel into the engine. This can cause your engine to misfire, which might be why you're feeling that shaking. Now, if this happens right after you've added gas, it's possible that sediment in the gas tank got stirred up and is clogging things up.
2. Another reason could be your spark plugs. Spark plugs are crucial for the combustion process inside your engine. If they're dirty or worn out, the combustion won't happen properly. This can also lead to shaking or vibrations. It's worth checking them out or getting them inspected to see if they need replacing.
3. You might also need to look at the motor mounts. These mounts hold your engine in place. If they’re worn out or damaged, they can’t support the engine properly, leading to vibrations that you might notice when you’re idling or after fueling up.
4. Let’s not forget about the possibility of a vacuum leak. Your car's engine relies on a delicate balance of air and fuel mixtures. If there's a vacuum leak, it throws off this balance and could cause the engine to shake. This could be a hose that has come loose or worn out.
5. Lastly, consider your fuel quality. Bad fuel can contain contaminants or water, which interrupts the combustion process. ...
People often shake their car while fueling to help ensure that the fuel reaches all parts of the tank, especially if it's a newer vehicle with a baffle system designed to prevent fuel sloshing. Here are some reasons why they might do this:
- Fuel Distribution: Shaking the car can help distribute the fuel evenly within the tank, especially if the tank is not completely empty. This is more relevant for vehicles with complex shapes or baffles that can trap air pockets.
- Preventing Air Lock: Some believe that shaking the car can help prevent air from getting trapped in the fuel lines, which could lead
People often shake their car while fueling to help ensure that the fuel reaches all parts of the tank, especially if it's a newer vehicle with a baffle system designed to prevent fuel sloshing. Here are some reasons why they might do this:
- Fuel Distribution: Shaking the car can help distribute the fuel evenly within the tank, especially if the tank is not completely empty. This is more relevant for vehicles with complex shapes or baffles that can trap air pockets.
- Preventing Air Lock: Some believe that shaking the car can help prevent air from getting trapped in the fuel lines, which could lead to an air lock and affect the car's performance.
- Old Habits: For some, it may simply be a learned behavior or superstition that they believe helps in getting a full tank.
- Fueling Technique: In some cases, people might shake the car to check if the tank is truly full, as they may feel that the tank isn't filling up as expected.
While shaking a car is not a widely necessary practice, those who do it often do so out of habit or belief in its effectiveness.
1. Overpaying on Auto Insurance
Believe it or not, the average American family still overspends by $461/year¹ on car insurance.
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2. Overlook how much you can save when shopping online
Many people over
1. Overpaying on Auto Insurance
Believe it or not, the average American family still overspends by $461/year¹ on car insurance.
Sometimes it’s even worse: I switched carriers last year and saved literally $1,300/year.
Here’s how to quickly see how much you’re being overcharged (takes maybe a couple of minutes):
- Pull up Coverage.com – it’s a free site that will compare offers for you
- Answer the questions on the page
- It’ll spit out a bunch of insurance offers for you.
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Modern cars should not be topped off. People try and fill the tank all the way which is not a good idea anymore because of the EVAP system or evaporative emissions. Old cars fuel tanks were vented to the atmosphere releasing hydrocarbons. Modern cars are required to have a sealed fuel tank an on board vapor recover system that will store hydrocarbons from evaporated fuel to allow it to be burned later in the engine. This a a common feature on most every vehicle built today and it is the reason you shouldn't top off vehicles now. The problem is when these vehicles are topped off, quite literall
Modern cars should not be topped off. People try and fill the tank all the way which is not a good idea anymore because of the EVAP system or evaporative emissions. Old cars fuel tanks were vented to the atmosphere releasing hydrocarbons. Modern cars are required to have a sealed fuel tank an on board vapor recover system that will store hydrocarbons from evaporated fuel to allow it to be burned later in the engine. This a a common feature on most every vehicle built today and it is the reason you shouldn't top off vehicles now. The problem is when these vehicles are topped off, quite literally overfilled, the extra fuel does not go in the tank but flows into the charcoal canister or vapor recover tank causing it to become fuel saturated. The charcoal canister will not longer function as air cannot pass through it and causes other problems, the check engine light will come on and can have several different EVAP codes, the vehicle could stumble or die when it tries to draw those hydrocarbons from the canister if it pulls straightfuel instead of vapor, it can spit back fuel when you try and fill it as the air in the tank is trapped now unable to vent, and on may vehicles replacement is the only solution which can be very expensive on some vehicles.
People shaking their car when filling up are likely trying to get e every drop of fuel possible in the car or up to the next whole dollar for some stupid or petty reason because they don't realize the damage they could do.
the answer is NO, gas tanks only holds so many gallons, it's like if you took a gallon of milk and it was topped off at the very top, than put the cap back on and started shaking the gallon of milk and then took the cap off, its going to be the exact same height. Same as a gas tank, you can only fit so many gallons into a tank and you can shake it all you want, you're not going to get any more gas to fit.
Where do I start?
I’m a huge financial nerd, and have spent an embarrassing amount of time talking to people about their money habits.
Here are the biggest mistakes people are making and how to fix them:
Not having a separate high interest savings account
Having a separate account allows you to see the results of all your hard work and keep your money separate so you're less tempted to spend it.
Plus with rates above 5.00%, the interest you can earn compared to most banks really adds up.
Here is a list of the top savings accounts available today. Deposit $5 before moving on because this is one of th
Where do I start?
I’m a huge financial nerd, and have spent an embarrassing amount of time talking to people about their money habits.
Here are the biggest mistakes people are making and how to fix them:
Not having a separate high interest savings account
Having a separate account allows you to see the results of all your hard work and keep your money separate so you're less tempted to spend it.
Plus with rates above 5.00%, the interest you can earn compared to most banks really adds up.
Here is a list of the top savings accounts available today. Deposit $5 before moving on because this is one of the biggest mistakes and easiest ones to fix.
Overpaying on car insurance
You’ve heard it a million times before, but the average American family still overspends by $417/year on car insurance.
If you’ve been with the same insurer for years, chances are you are one of them.
Pull up Coverage.com, a free site that will compare prices for you, answer the questions on the page, and it will show you how much you could be saving.
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How to get started
Hope this helps! Here are the links to get started:
Have a separate savings account
Stop overpaying for car insurance
Finally get out of debt
Start investing with a free bonus
Fix your credit
It would be more effective to shake your head at the fuel price.
People think, or maybe don't know why as they copy someone else, they can get extra fuel in the tank and sometimes they can but would probably have been possible if they had just waited a moment before trying again.
The fuel tank should have an area for gas expansion. If it doesn't then on a hot day fuel can be forced out of the ch...
filling the car does not make the car shake. but if you mean it shakes when you try to start the car it is because there is not enough fuel in the fuel rail to feed all the plugs. the engine will shake. this is normal. if you run out of fuel.
Fuel Contamination
Newer model cars are often equipped with contaminated fuel detectors. Fuel contaminated with water or other fuel types will cause a car to not start or shut down as soon as the car is refueled. Extreme engine damage can occur if the car is accidentally filled with contaminated fuel, thus manufacturers are now installing detectors to preve
filling the car does not make the car shake. but if you mean it shakes when you try to start the car it is because there is not enough fuel in the fuel rail to feed all the plugs. the engine will shake. this is normal. if you run out of fuel.
Fuel Contamination
Newer model cars are often equipped with contaminated fuel detectors. Fuel contaminated with water or other fuel types will cause a car to not start or shut down as soon as the car is refueled. Extreme engine damage can occur if the car is accidentally filled with contaminated fuel, thus manufacturers are now installing detectors to prevent major damage.
Fuel Pump
A car with a malfunctioning fuel pump will not start after refueling. Electronic control units (ECUs) are safety features. ECUs that are not operating properly can shut off the fuel pump regardless if the engine is still running. Damaged circuits in the on-board computer may tell the fuel pump to shut down while the car is running.
Evaporative Control System
The evaporative control (EVAP) system is designed to capture, store and purge any raw fuel vapors that leak from any areas of the fuel storage system. Problems occur when your fuel tank is overfilled and/or gas flows into the EVAP line. A defective refuel and/or fuel cutoff valve prevents fuel from flowing and the refuel valve triggers the gas pump to stop, causing the car to st
This comes from one’s upbringing, particularly in India, where as children we see our elders filling various containers with different types of grainy things for storage. Rice, flour, wheat, sugar, various lentil etc. They shake the containers and create some space as the trapped air escapes and pour more. We automatically learn that this is a good thing to do when filling any container with anything. In reality it is good only for dry grainy things.
Such people, when they grow up and want to go for a long drive, want to fill their tanks up to the brim (never a good practice in the first place)
This comes from one’s upbringing, particularly in India, where as children we see our elders filling various containers with different types of grainy things for storage. Rice, flour, wheat, sugar, various lentil etc. They shake the containers and create some space as the trapped air escapes and pour more. We automatically learn that this is a good thing to do when filling any container with anything. In reality it is good only for dry grainy things.
Such people, when they grow up and want to go for a long drive, want to fill their tanks up to the brim (never a good practice in the first place). They shake it hoping that more fuel will go in. Perhaps a few millilitres do go in. Is it really worth it?
Decide for yourself.
I once met a man who drove a modest Toyota Corolla, wore beat-up sneakers, and looked like he’d lived the same way for decades. But what really caught my attention was when he casually mentioned he was retired at 45 with more money than he could ever spend. I couldn’t help but ask, “How did you do it?”
He smiled and said, “The secret to saving money is knowing where to look for the waste—and car insurance is one of the easiest places to start.”
He then walked me through a few strategies that I’d never thought of before. Here’s what I learned:
1. Make insurance companies fight for your business
Mos
I once met a man who drove a modest Toyota Corolla, wore beat-up sneakers, and looked like he’d lived the same way for decades. But what really caught my attention was when he casually mentioned he was retired at 45 with more money than he could ever spend. I couldn’t help but ask, “How did you do it?”
He smiled and said, “The secret to saving money is knowing where to look for the waste—and car insurance is one of the easiest places to start.”
He then walked me through a few strategies that I’d never thought of before. Here’s what I learned:
1. Make insurance companies fight for your business
Most people just stick with the same insurer year after year, but that’s what the companies are counting on. This guy used tools like Coverage.com to compare rates every time his policy came up for renewal. It only took him a few minutes, and he said he’d saved hundreds each year by letting insurers compete for his business.
Click here to try Coverage.com and see how much you could save today.
2. Take advantage of safe driver programs
He mentioned that some companies reward good drivers with significant discounts. By signing up for a program that tracked his driving habits for just a month, he qualified for a lower rate. “It’s like a test where you already know the answers,” he joked.
You can find a list of insurance companies offering safe driver discounts here and start saving on your next policy.
3. Bundle your policies
He bundled his auto insurance with his home insurance and saved big. “Most companies will give you a discount if you combine your policies with them. It’s easy money,” he explained. If you haven’t bundled yet, ask your insurer what discounts they offer—or look for new ones that do.
4. Drop coverage you don’t need
He also emphasized reassessing coverage every year. If your car isn’t worth much anymore, it might be time to drop collision or comprehensive coverage. “You shouldn’t be paying more to insure the car than it’s worth,” he said.
5. Look for hidden fees or overpriced add-ons
One of his final tips was to avoid extras like roadside assistance, which can often be purchased elsewhere for less. “It’s those little fees you don’t think about that add up,” he warned.
The Secret? Stop Overpaying
The real “secret” isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about being proactive. Car insurance companies are counting on you to stay complacent, but with tools like Coverage.com and a little effort, you can make sure you’re only paying for what you need—and saving hundreds in the process.
If you’re ready to start saving, take a moment to:
- Compare rates now on Coverage.com
- Check if you qualify for safe driver discounts
- Reevaluate your coverage today
Saving money on auto insurance doesn’t have to be complicated—you just have to know where to look. If you'd like to support my work, feel free to use the links in this post—they help me continue creating valuable content.
If your engine is on and your car is shaking, turn your engine off for safety and get your car tuned up. If the gas pump or nozzle are shaking and causing your car to shake, put the nozzle back and get away from the pump for safety.
If you’re standing at a gas pump (engine off) and the nozzle is in your car (neither pump nor nozzle are shaking) and gas is flowing into your gas tank and your car is shaking, then put the nozzle back and get your car fixed. I’ve never heard of this situation so call around or maybe someone here will give a good answer, but remember that you’re not pumping water, y
If your engine is on and your car is shaking, turn your engine off for safety and get your car tuned up. If the gas pump or nozzle are shaking and causing your car to shake, put the nozzle back and get away from the pump for safety.
If you’re standing at a gas pump (engine off) and the nozzle is in your car (neither pump nor nozzle are shaking) and gas is flowing into your gas tank and your car is shaking, then put the nozzle back and get your car fixed. I’ve never heard of this situation so call around or maybe someone here will give a good answer, but remember that you’re not pumping water, you’re pumping gasoline.
I don’t shake my car at a gas station and I have never seen anyone else do it. I have been going to gas stations for a long time.
You state “we”, the better question is who is this “we” that is shaking the vehicle while fueling. That only gives the fuel an opportunity to slosh out of the tank creating a spill of combustible liquid.
an earthquake.
your dog is bored.
ADHD - one of your kids is thrashing about bored,
filling the tank will not make the car shake.
i had a customer complaining about an irritating ‘‘buzzing noise” in her car, that we could never hear or reproduce. It was her kid humming in tune to the engine ...
I would suspect that your tank was empty and when gas pumps it splases around crearing small air pockets, thats what your fuel pump sucks in with air and it creates small misfire. If your car shakes when it's idling, even if not being fueled - you need to check with the mechanic, you have an ongoing misfire and it could be bad for the car. You might need a tune-up.
This was a old practice when scooters did not have fuel meter. Shaking gives you an idea how much fuel is there in the tank.
There are some other kind of idiots who think shaking the vehicle will make the fuel go in such places where otherwise it wont and you can fill more fuel. That is completely wrong.
They shake the vehicle to remove the air pockets of any inside the fuel tank thereby making space for some more fuel.
Dang. I’ve not seen someone do that since before high school, which was a very long time ago. I had a friend who did that every time he filled up, his reasoning being that the tankful would last a little bit longer and reduce trips to the gas station.
Okay. I can see the logic, but really?
“Burping” the tank probably freed up about a pint’s worth of space, so technically he was maximizing his fuel storage. Technically.
It was, in my opinion, a waste of time since burping and topping off took longer than just accepting that the tank was full enough.
“WE” don’t, I might, idk if you do. IDK why anyone would do that with a car, maybe boredom? on a bike it can be too see how much gas is in the tank or to mix up the oil in a 2 stroke.
Fuel tank and lines itself is of curvy complicate in design for smooth flow of fuel and optimal air trap avoidance design. When full pressure fuel enters still there could be chamces of evaporated fuel create air trap lock. To relieve this, they shake vehicle but this is not practice.
It is a stupid thing to do . Always stop at the first click ( stop ) on the fuel nozzle .
When you keep on filling the tank , you have the opportunity to harm the EVAP system in the top of the tank . This is not absolute but it can happen .
Because your car is warm and you are putting cold gasoline into it and it shivers from the cold.
This is common with motor scooters and cycles that have a two-cycle engine, to mix the oil they poured into the tank, with the gasoline.
Like others have said, on bikes or scooters without a fuel gauge it would give an idea of the level of fuel in the tank. When someone does this to a car, often it is to get small air pockets out of the tank. Personally I think it’s not worth it for the about 200–500ml that I’d be able to squeeze in.
Hi, shaking the car gives room to another 0.1 % fuel capacity. Means you can add some more fuel in your fuel tank.
If I’m on a big ride somewhere on my motorcycle I fill my tank to the top at every fuel station. My bike holds about 20 litres (4.4 UK gallons) of fuel which will last 400km (250 miles) maximum. In some parts of Ukraine and Russia petrol stations can be many kilometers apart so consequently I am looking for the next fill up stop when my tank gets down to half way on my fuel gauge which is roughly 10 litres.
The funny thing is, and maybe this is down to a lack of observation by European petrol station employees or me just failing to understand a situation, but wherever I stop for fuel in Belgium
If I’m on a big ride somewhere on my motorcycle I fill my tank to the top at every fuel station. My bike holds about 20 litres (4.4 UK gallons) of fuel which will last 400km (250 miles) maximum. In some parts of Ukraine and Russia petrol stations can be many kilometers apart so consequently I am looking for the next fill up stop when my tank gets down to half way on my fuel gauge which is roughly 10 litres.
The funny thing is, and maybe this is down to a lack of observation by European petrol station employees or me just failing to understand a situation, but wherever I stop for fuel in Belgium, Romania, Ukraine, Russia and various other countries I have to pay before I fill up. I understand the reasons why. I’m not stupid. I understand that if some folks were allowed to fill up before paying they may ride or drive off without paying at all. I get it.
What I don’t understand is why they always ask me…
“How many litres you want?”
I reply something like “I don’t know… about 10 litres maybe… I just want to fill up to the top”. I give them way more money than my bike can hold anyway and sometimes I leave my wallet and phone on the counter and they look at me like I’m from space.
Isn’t it obvious that a guy on a fully loaded motorcycle would want to fill up? I’m hardly going to squirt in 5 Euro worth am I? I just don’t get it.
Before I get to a more specific answer, let me say this. If you live in a part of the country where it is possible to have disruptions of power or service over a large area then you should be sure to drive on the top half of your tank. The last place that you want to be is with a gallon or two in the tank and the nearest working gas station a hundred miles away.
If you were around for the 1970s there was a crisis in the middle east. OPEC stretched its muscles and reduced the supply to raise the price of crude oil. At the time, the US was very heavily dependent on imported oil. For the average c
Before I get to a more specific answer, let me say this. If you live in a part of the country where it is possible to have disruptions of power or service over a large area then you should be sure to drive on the top half of your tank. The last place that you want to be is with a gallon or two in the tank and the nearest working gas station a hundred miles away.
If you were around for the 1970s there was a crisis in the middle east. OPEC stretched its muscles and reduced the supply to raise the price of crude oil. At the time, the US was very heavily dependent on imported oil. For the average consumer, gas supplies shrank and lines formed at gas stations. While the shortages were real, there was also a hoarding mentality in effect much like with paper goods in 2020. Some of the rationing efforts simply made the lines worse. People would wait in line for hours to buy 5 gallons and then go to the next station and do it again.
Old habits die hard. Many people who experienced this tend to buy gas when they have the opportunity.
YOU are the only fucking idiot that does that. I have been known to come by now and then to piss in your fuel tank. I find it calming and my day goes better. Too bad about yours. Stop being a dick.
At the top of the fuel system is something called the Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) system, also known as the "evap canister".
As the name suggests, this system is designed to capture gasoline vapors that would otherwise escape into the air during refueling; gasoline vapors are a particularly noxious type of pollution because they not only irritate in vapor form but combine with sunlight to make ozone. The ORVR system is basically a valve and a can of activated charcoal; the valve routes vapors to the can where the charcoal captures (adsorbs) it for eventual use by the engine.
The
At the top of the fuel system is something called the Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) system, also known as the "evap canister".
As the name suggests, this system is designed to capture gasoline vapors that would otherwise escape into the air during refueling; gasoline vapors are a particularly noxious type of pollution because they not only irritate in vapor form but combine with sunlight to make ozone. The ORVR system is basically a valve and a can of activated charcoal; the valve routes vapors to the can where the charcoal captures (adsorbs) it for eventual use by the engine.
The workings of this system rely on there being room at the top of the system for the vapors to flow; the automatic cut-off during the fill-up is designed to halt fueling when the fill level reaches that level.
If you override the automatic cut off and "top off" you will eventually flood the canister with liquid fuel. This ruins the system's effectiveness and, worse for you, the fuel stuck in the canister will smell strongly for weeks and months afterwards.
There is a little room for error but if you consistently "top off" at the pump you are bound to do this sooner or later. Replacing the canister can cost around $300-500 so this can be an expensive habit.
Well that's an old habit of people who drove scooters. Not the ones like Activa. Under light when the fuel is shaked in the dark tank it makes sound and under light reflects it so you know how much fuel is left. Like an empty tank creates a very low to no jiggle, a half filled tank creates nice heavy jiggling sound and a full tank creates a low but heavy jiggling sound only once or so and you can see the fuel. This is because you see many old scooters had no fuel indicators, they had the concept of fuel supply off, on and reserve. Even old bikes had on and off of fuel supply.
Its a precaution to reduce the chance of accidental ignition and explosion.
Moving many gallons of fuel around increases the probability of vapor leaks and accumulation.
Running a car involves an ignition system that has high voltage designed to have enough energy to ignite and explode gasoline vapors.
Now there are various safety systems, the fuel nozzles have vapor recovery, the spark plug wires are insulated. In practice, they are not likely to fail and they are separated by several feet. But, accidents happen when there are failures. If you can eliminate one or more causes then you are safer
Its a precaution to reduce the chance of accidental ignition and explosion.
Moving many gallons of fuel around increases the probability of vapor leaks and accumulation.
Running a car involves an ignition system that has high voltage designed to have enough energy to ignite and explode gasoline vapors.
Now there are various safety systems, the fuel nozzles have vapor recovery, the spark plug wires are insulated. In practice, they are not likely to fail and they are separated by several feet. But, accidents happen when there are failures. If you can eliminate one or more causes then you are safer for it. Moving the gasoline is still essential for fueling but running the engine is not. Shut off the engine and remove the spark vector and while you were quite safe before, you are even much safer now.
Sure there are other cars nearby and they may be running. Its necessary for them to drive by to reach the next available pump but if they are shut off when stopped, the station will be safer.
Suppose running a car while refueling gives a one in a million chance of exploding. A one in a million chance seems pretty remote, but 1 million cars are probably refueled daily in the US. so that would result in an explosion per day. Not a good rate If we turn off the car the chances would go way down - say one in a trillion perhaps. We really need to make the probability as low as possible, hence we make it a rule to turn off the engine when refuling.
A couple of posters got it right. I’ll toss my hat in their ring as well.
Modern motor vehicles are intensely operated using computers. And they stay powered, and their memories stay viable, so long as they are all being fed 12vdc from the battery.
When you yank the battery from the vehicle, all those computers lose their minds; the memories are de-powered and whatever it was they were remembering is gone. And this would include the more mundane stuff like your audio, HVAC and alarm settings; anything that has a memory.
When you slip in the new DieHard, the memories are all brought back to life …
A couple of posters got it right. I’ll toss my hat in their ring as well.
Modern motor vehicles are intensely operated using computers. And they stay powered, and their memories stay viable, so long as they are all being fed 12vdc from the battery.
When you yank the battery from the vehicle, all those computers lose their minds; the memories are de-powered and whatever it was they were remembering is gone. And this would include the more mundane stuff like your audio, HVAC and alarm settings; anything that has a memory.
When you slip in the new DieHard, the memories are all brought back to life …it’s just they’ve forgotten what it was they were remembering. So they have to learn it all over. Fortunately the “default” settings generally work to get the vehicle running. But the learning curve takes a few days or so before things get fully back to normal.
If your looking for an excuse to buy another tool or gadget, here’s what you can score to prevent your vehicle from loosing its many “minds” when changing the battery:
This device plugs into the OBD II scan port and connects to either another battery or gets plugged into a cigarette lighter socket on another vehicle. The gotcha with this setup is it “back powers” the electrical system though the OBD II port. The back powering means the battery cables will be “live” after you remove them from the old battery. You have to insulate at least the positive (red) battery cable to keep it from grounding on the body/frame of the vehicle …lest you end up with a little spark show and some unintended arc welding.
I didn’t know there was a limit to how many times one could fill a vehicles fuel tank, but in some folks minds I guess there is. I give up! What does happen if one fills their car’s fuel tank one too many times?
Oh, you mean overfill the fuel tank. What do you think happens? The excess fuel runs onto the ground and makes a slippery spot. A large vehicle drives into the gasoline station and slides on the slippery spot caused by you spilling gasoline on the ground because you just had to squeeze a little more into your fuel tank. The big sliding vehicle crashes into the fuel pumps tearing them fr
I didn’t know there was a limit to how many times one could fill a vehicles fuel tank, but in some folks minds I guess there is. I give up! What does happen if one fills their car’s fuel tank one too many times?
Oh, you mean overfill the fuel tank. What do you think happens? The excess fuel runs onto the ground and makes a slippery spot. A large vehicle drives into the gasoline station and slides on the slippery spot caused by you spilling gasoline on the ground because you just had to squeeze a little more into your fuel tank. The big sliding vehicle crashes into the fuel pumps tearing them from their foundations and damaging the pumps circuitry, resulting in a geyser of gasoline shooting up from where the pump head used to be. There’s a spark from one of the pumps power lines and that ignites the geyser of gasoline. The fuel tank in the big vehicle is low and full of volatile vapors and because of the intense fire burning around it, the tank explodes, tearing apart the other pump heads on the fuel island. The adjoining convenience store, which was full of people buying snacks, bread, milk and lottery tickets is suddenly caught up in the devastating fire and a large above ground kerosine tank beside the store ruptures and dumps its contents all over the ground. The burning kerosine flows into the basement of a near by apartment building and the crowded building catches on fire. Bottom line, because YOU tried to squeeze more fuel into your vehicle than the manufacturer intended, you have created a catastrophe. Way to go Jackie!
It isn't that dangerous. The real problem is emissions. There is rarely a good reason to idle a car as long as it takes to fill the fuel tank. This goes for railroad crossings and drawbridges, too. Turn off your damn engine.
It can also cause a malfunction in the emissions control subsystems of the car because of a loss of negative pressure in the fuel tank. The system uses manifold vacuum to lower the pressure in the fuel tank to reduce evaporative emissions. If the tank is open but the engine is running, the computer sees this as a fault condition. It isn't really a problem but I would find t
It isn't that dangerous. The real problem is emissions. There is rarely a good reason to idle a car as long as it takes to fill the fuel tank. This goes for railroad crossings and drawbridges, too. Turn off your damn engine.
It can also cause a malfunction in the emissions control subsystems of the car because of a loss of negative pressure in the fuel tank. The system uses manifold vacuum to lower the pressure in the fuel tank to reduce evaporative emissions. If the tank is open but the engine is running, the computer sees this as a fault condition. It isn't really a problem but I would find the Malfunction Indicator Lamp annoying until it reset itself after a certain number of drive cycles.
There is a slight risk of the gas in the tank getting stale.
Gasoline is a complex mix of chemicals - some lightweight and some heavier. As gas sits around - the lighter components tend to evaporate off - resulting in a thicker, less energetic material being left behind.
By not running your tank down to (say) 1/4 full before refueling, your gas is staying in the tank about three times longer.
This ma
There is a slight risk of the gas in the tank getting stale.
Gasoline is a complex mix of chemicals - some lightweight and some heavier. As gas sits around - the lighter components tend to evaporate off - resulting in a thicker, less energetic material being left behind.
By not running your tank down to (say) 1/4 full before refueling, your gas is staying in the tank about three times longer.
This makes the car harder to start - and has a negative effect on miles-per-gallon- probably worsens your acceleration so...
Some people leave their vehicle running while refueling because they do not want to turn off the A/C or heating in the vehicle. Sometimes they wish to keep people inside the vehicle entertained with radio or dvd player and shutting off engine may disrupt the experience.
Others erroneously believe that they are saving fuel having heard that starting the engine wastes more fuel than stopping and restarting their engine, which has been proven to be false.
I saw the results of a study quite a few years ago that suggested most people should turn off their engine if they will idle more than 6 seconds.
Some people leave their vehicle running while refueling because they do not want to turn off the A/C or heating in the vehicle. Sometimes they wish to keep people inside the vehicle entertained with radio or dvd player and shutting off engine may disrupt the experience.
Others erroneously believe that they are saving fuel having heard that starting the engine wastes more fuel than stopping and restarting their engine, which has been proven to be false.
I saw the results of a study quite a few years ago that suggested most people should turn off their engine if they will idle more than 6 seconds. Six seconds! Now that’s kind of impractical if true, but the amount of fuel consumed is only part of the story. Vehicle emissions also play a part in this and while things have gotten better in recent years, our cars and pickups still produce emissions while running. While there is no doubt some wear that comes from starting and stopping the engine, it probably makes more sense to shut it off at gas stations, or long train signals, etc.
On another related note, many places have strict rules about not smoking (DUH!) and shutting off engine and leaving cell phone in the vehicle while refueling. Other places have relaxed those rules or fail to enforce the safety measures and so people tend to ignore them.
It is not bad to run your fuel level below 1/4 tank.
The fuel pickup extends to the bottom of the fuel tank, so anything at the bottom of the tank is likely to be picked up at any time.
Water, which may be present in your tank, mainly through condensation, has a heavier specific gravity that gasoline/petrol, so always it lies on the bottom of the tank. Modern oxygenated fuels contain alcohol, and alcohol will absorb water, so using oxygenated fuels will ensure there is no water in your tank.
Unles something ‘untoward’ is floating on the top of your fuel, and you run your fuel level so low, that i
It is not bad to run your fuel level below 1/4 tank.
The fuel pickup extends to the bottom of the fuel tank, so anything at the bottom of the tank is likely to be picked up at any time.
Water, which may be present in your tank, mainly through condensation, has a heavier specific gravity that gasoline/petrol, so always it lies on the bottom of the tank. Modern oxygenated fuels contain alcohol, and alcohol will absorb water, so using oxygenated fuels will ensure there is no water in your tank.
Unles something ‘untoward’ is floating on the top of your fuel, and you run your fuel level so low, that is well below 1/4 of a tank, we’re talking almost empty, then it will not be picked up by your fuel pickup tube.
Myth busted….
Because fuel get settled down and if more space is left they can have more fuel
Because they can and have the time and money to throw away on it, as it’s of no practical use to anybody.
Shutting off your vehicle is a safety precaution, not an essential safety step.
While there are lots of crazy scenarios that could potentially happen, the best reasoning I've ever heard for shutting off your car is simple: If your car is off, and there were to be some sort of spill or incident at the station, you wouldn't be tempted to try and get into your car and shut it off. That way, if something bad were to happen, you could focus on getting a safe distance away before you make your escape.
However, that's still a stretch. If the gas station seems like it's about to explode, my car is the l
Shutting off your vehicle is a safety precaution, not an essential safety step.
While there are lots of crazy scenarios that could potentially happen, the best reasoning I've ever heard for shutting off your car is simple: If your car is off, and there were to be some sort of spill or incident at the station, you wouldn't be tempted to try and get into your car and shut it off. That way, if something bad were to happen, you could focus on getting a safe distance away before you make your escape.
However, that's still a stretch. If the gas station seems like it's about to explode, my car is the last thing I'm worried about (running or not). Still, it's the best explanation I've herad.
From a non-safety perspective, your vehicle may set a "check engine" warning light if you operate it with the gas cap off. Most vehicles are designed to warn you if/when your gas cap fails to maintain a proper seal...so filling up while the engine is running could cause a false alarm.
But beyond that, I've never come across a probable scenario that makes a running vehicle more dangerous to fill-up with fuel than a vehicle that isn't running.
Most mechanics will describe your problem as ‘Warped Rotors’.
The Disk which sits behind the Wheel is a ‘Rotor’ - It is a metal plate which your Brake Pads grind against in order to bring your car to a stop. In order to work properly, the entire surface of the rotor has to be even with itself.
If your Rotors are damaged, then it will cause harmonic vibration as the brake spins across the damaged location on the rotor.
Although ‘Warping’ describes a very specific type of damage in which heat damage causes the rotor to become wavey and thus the brakes will ‘skip from hill to hill’
The term is used a
Most mechanics will describe your problem as ‘Warped Rotors’.
The Disk which sits behind the Wheel is a ‘Rotor’ - It is a metal plate which your Brake Pads grind against in order to bring your car to a stop. In order to work properly, the entire surface of the rotor has to be even with itself.
If your Rotors are damaged, then it will cause harmonic vibration as the brake spins across the damaged location on the rotor.
Although ‘Warping’ describes a very specific type of damage in which heat damage causes the rotor to become wavey and thus the brakes will ‘skip from hill to hill’
The term is used as a catch-all term for any kind of Rotor damage which results in vibration in the steering. This is because both the symptoms and solution is pretty much always the same regardless of what specific damage your rotor has. Either Resurface or Replace the Rotor.