[Davidval18]

I think this is an interesting topic to discuss, as car technology has progressed in the last couple of years.

So what do you guys think, is topping off gas tank a safe procedure to do? or overfilling the gas tank can cause liquid gas to enter the charcoal canister and cause some serious damage?

*The subject can be specific to our Mazda3's or to cars in general.

 

[RalphVa]

I do 3 clicks: 1 when it cuts off from filling; then two more squeezes of the trigger to cutoff.

Much too difficult to stuff the tank on gasoline cars. Can easily do it on diesels.

Ralph

 

[SUTTONRIDER]

When I was younger and paid cash: top of to a round number.

Now that I pay with my debit card at the pump, I stop when it cuts off.

 

[CerealKiller]

I used to top off my Honda CRX back in the day, but now I'm too worried about messing up my paint to care about those couple of extra miles I can get out of the tank.
CK

 

[rredrocketmn]

The better question is how far do you go before filling up - buts thats a different poll. I stop when the pump stops, after having the car for 6 months I'm still surprised by how little gas the car uses - and how cheap it is to run.

 

[pvsd4090]

Our other car is a Lexus and they are extremely sensitive to over filling. The vapor recovery system they use (along with the charcoal canister) can get messed up by over filling. Forums over there have tons of stories of guys who ruined their evap system topping off. Even the gas caps are sensitive and once every few years I have to get a new one as I'll get a MIL with P0456 IIRC. Before getting that car, I always topped off to the max and never had a problem. Now with my new Mazda3, I stop when it clicks. Gets enough mpg as it is and I'd rather not risk it.

 

[zuma]

I stop when it shuts off. I've only recently started doing this after buying my 17 Mazda3. Previously, with all my other cars, I always topped off. I'd never had a problem with the evap systems before, so I have no idea if it's safer or not, but it's just, what, another 10-20 miles? Better safe than sorry I guess.

It is an interesting discussion to have and I'm curious what others who know more than me about such things have to say.

 

[MotorCityJax]

When i was younger i would always top it off, now i just honestly dont feel like standing there trying to squeeze every last little bit into the tank. When the pump stops, I stop. Those few extra miles wont do much for me anyway

 

[RalphVa]

I've topped off the tank on our Tacoma by taking a 2 gallon gas container with me. After it clicks off, I pour the contents of the 2 gallon container into the tank until full. Then, I refill the 2 gallon container and add that amount to my maintenance book I carry in all vehicles where I record the gallons and mileages of each refill. Just cannot top off with those sensitive gasoline nozzles.

Haven't done this on the Mazdas because it's rather unsafe to carry the gas container in the trunk. Carry it in the bed of the Tacoma. Have thought about getting one of those racks that go into a trailer hitch receiver and a trailer for the Miata, to replace the Tacoma. Just too easy living with the Tacoma for when I need a truck though.

Ralph

 

[zero_gravity]

Topping off is stupid and pointless in today's world. Yes overfilling can and will damage expensive emissions equipment such as the charcoal canister. This is the well known and proven. To further drive this point home, the owner's manual for nearly every modern car, if not all, clearly states not to top off after the pump clicks off due to potential emissions equipment damage.

Nearly everyone no longer pays in cash for their fuel. Change is no longer a concern.

So with this in mind, what does topping off really do for you? You might fit an extra 500mL of gas in your tank give or take. That will make very little difference to your range. In other words it does nearly nothing to help you and puts expensive parts at risk for premature failure.

But hey to anyone that still wants to satisfy their ocd, it's your car to ruin. Enjoy

 

[Must Turbo This 3]

The real question is... why?

Say the pump stopped at $27. Why would you be standing there, wasting time, pulling the trigger, trying to add another gallon or two into the tank, raising your fill up bill to $30? Lol.

The less time I spend at gas stations the better. In and out quickly.

You people who waste your life trying to round out digits n shit have a mental problem that you need to handle.

Hang up the nozzle when it's done, get your receipt and peal outta there ASAP and go on your marry way.

 

[MeteorGray]

I run the pump at full speed till the first click. Then I run it at maybe half speed or less till the second click. Done.

The reason for the second click is to make sure the full speed pumping volume isn't stopping the pump too fast due to splash-back, which some high volume pumps can sometimes cause.

 

[vondiesel]

I run the pump at full speed till the first click. Then I run it at maybe half speed or less till the second click. Done.

The reason for the second click is to make sure the full speed pumping volume isn't stopping the pump too fast due to splash-back, which some high volume pumps can sometimes cause.

I do the same. I find that the pumps at my usual gas station leave me about a gallon short at the 1st stop, so I go half-speed to the 2nd stop. It takes only a few seconds, but the extra gallon = 35 miles, which over the course of a year saves me 2-3 trips to the gas station. A different sort of time savings.

So yeah, I "top off" but not the OCD type where I have to hit a number or get every last drop.

 

[darvetis]

Here in Oregon, I cannot pump my own fuel, state law only allows gas station employee to do so (with a few exceptions).

 

[mazda318gt]

I usually top off, but I just got rid of a 19 year old Honda Civic and it wasn't much of a problem then. I am in the habit of doing it. I might try to break that habit, but I don't know if I can. I usually fill the tank full speed for the first gallon to make sure the pump is right. Then, I set the clip that keeps the handle up on the lowest notch until it clicks off. Then I usually pull the handle 2 more times until it shuts off out of habit.

 

[CerealKiller]

Here in Oregon, I cannot pump my own fuel, state law only allows gas station employee to do so (with a few exceptions).

I took a trip to Oregon... having someone pump my gas was a really weird experience. I'm from Los Angeles, where people try to avoid making eye contact at the pump. I ended up having a full convo with the guy pumping my gas.
CK

 

[ADarkerBreed]

I'll let it stop, do a pump then round it up to the next .50 cents

 

[exmc]

I buy mostly at a station where they pump it for you. I always tell them to stop when it clicks off. It may be my imagination but I seem to sense that they don't like to do that. Oh well, I do it anyway. It serves no useful purpose for me to top it off and there is always the chance it might harm it.

 

[sc489]

Here in Oregon, I cannot pump my own fuel, state law only allows gas station employee to do so (with a few exceptions).

How cute for progressive America!

 

[tamy913]

I used to add a little more after the automatic shut off. Now however I just leave it and let it stop automatically.
Not to sure how much more gas you get by topping off and if it's enough to really make a difference range.