Certified CenterFor most Americans, a trip to the gas station is a weekly occurrence. With prices at a steady decline, these visits have become less painful than in recent years. Take a look at the following list of tips we’ve created and make sure you’re getting the most out of your trips to the fuel pump and your wallet!
Turn off your car. Although this may seem like a no-brainer, many people keep their car running while filling up at the pump even with signage advising against it. If a spark were to occur under the hood it could potentially ignite flames around the gas pumps due to your car’s electrical system. Not to mention the threat of someone taking advantage of your running car and speeding off in it with your valuables inside.
Remain outside your vehicle while the pump is in use. Resist the urge to sit inside your vehicle while gas is pumping into your car because static electricity could present a fire hazard. When clothing makes contact with your interior fabric, it leads to static electricity. Subsequently touching the gas pump could cause a spark resulting in a fire or explosion. It’s always best to not re-enter your vehicle until you plan to drive away, but if you absolutely must, remember to touch a metal object before touching the gas pump.
Don’t smoke. Even though the few minutes it takes to pump gas might seem like the ideal time for a smoke break, this is another instance where you should resist the urge. Lighting a match or lighter near gasoline fumes is very dangerous and could result in a spark. It’s always best to wait until you drive away before lighting a cigarette.
Fill up in the morning. This is a great tip to remember because the temperature is cooler in the morning (yes, even in Texas!), and the if the gasoline is cooler when it enters your tank there’s less chance of it expanding. When gas is warmer it expands, taking up more space in your tank. You will get more bang for your buck by filling up when it’s as cool as possible because you’ll be able to squeeze in more gas.
Fill up when your tank is half empty. Gasoline evaporates quickly, especially when it’s warm, so by keeping the tank full you will ensure that its “floating roof membrane” is minimizing evaporation by acting as a barrier between the gas and the top of the tank. The more gas in your tank, the less air in your tank.
Don’t set the gas nozzle on the high-speed dispense setting. The gas hoses are corrugated and act as a return path for vapor recovery from gas that has already been metered. When you pump at the high setting the agitated gasoline contains more vapor which is being sucked back into the underground tank causing you to get less gas for what you’re spending. Remember to pump slowly to minimize the vapors that could creep into your tank.
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