Why You Shouldn’t Top Off Your Gas Tank After the Click
- Christina at Harrell and Beverly
- Sep 29
- 2 min read
We get it. There’s something oddly satisfying about topping off your gas tank, rounding up to the nearest dollar, or giving the handle one last squeeze. But here’s the truth: that click you hear when fueling isn’t a suggestion. It’s your car’s way of saying, “Enough is enough.”
Why Topping Off Your Gas Tank Is a Bad Habit
The click is an internal safety mechanism designed to stop fueling at the right level. When you force more gas in after that click, a few things can happen:
Fuel can spill back into the fill tube and splash into emission components.
Your EVAP system can be damaged. This system captures vapors and keeps them from escaping into the air. Excess fuel can flood it, leading to expensive repairs.
It shortens the life of parts you can’t see. Over time, those hidden but essential components wear out faster, and you’re left with a repair bill that could have been avoided.
We’ve seen this play out many times at Harrell & Beverly. What feels like just a little extra squeeze at the pump can snowball into a big problem for your car and your wallet.
But What About a “False Click”?
Sometimes, the nozzle clicks off early, even when your tank isn’t full. Here’s why:
It could be the pump itself. If it happens once or very rarely, the station’s equipment may be to blame.
It’s your car. If the nozzle consistently clicks off while fueling, it could point to a venting issue in your tank. Your EVAP system needs to release air as fuel goes in. If there’s a restriction, the nozzle “thinks” the tank is full and shuts off. That’s a sign you should have the system inspected.
Trust the Click
At the end of the day, topping off your tank doesn’t help you, and it doesn’t help your car. Trust the click. Stop when the pump tells you to. Your car (and your wallet) will thank you later.
And if your pump keeps clicking off too soon? Bring it by Harrell & Beverly in Sanford! We’ll run the right tests and get to the bottom of it. Give us a call at 407-322-8415 or book online today.
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