Tips for Filling Up Your Car with Gas to Avoid Wasting Money and Damaging Your Car

- Tips for Filling Up Your Car with Gas to Avoid Wasting Money and Damaging Your Car
Latest update date: February 10, 09

Fill up your car with gas is the process of providing fuel to maintain the operation of an internal combustion engine, using gasoline or diesel.

Dr. John Heywood, an expert on internal combustion engines at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has pointed out that improper refueling can lead to fuel waste of up to 5-10% under conditions of frequent stopping and restarting of vehicles, especially in crowded urban environments.

This article will introduce gas tips to help you save money and avoid damaging your car, including:

  • Avoid overfilling the tank.
  • Fill up by volume instead of by dollar amount.
  • Choose to fill up in the morning or evening.
  • Require fuel pump gauge to “0” before pumping.
  • Watch the gauge carefully when pumping gas.
  • Fill with the correct type of gasoline.
  • Choose a reputable gas station.
  • Don't wait for the fuel needle to point to the red line before filling up.

Below are the details.

- Tips for Filling Up Your Car with Gas to Avoid Wasting Money and Damaging Your Car
Instructions for parking your car to avoid wasting gas and damaging your car

Why Shouldn't You Fill Your Gas Tank?

Overfilling your gas tank can waste fuel, expose you to fraud risks, and damage your car.

1. Increase vehicle load, fuel consumption

When you fill up your gas tank, your car will have to “carry” a significant amount of weight, because fuel has a certain mass. This leads to the car consuming more fuel during operation, especially when you have to travel long distances or go uphill.

2. Risk of fraud

When filling up the tank, the pump system at gas stations has a safety mechanism to prevent fuel overflow, by sucking some of the fuel back through the pump trigger. This means that although the fuel has passed through the meter and you have to pay for it, you have not actually received the full amount of fuel. This is a trick to make customers pay more without receiving the exact amount of fuel as calculated.

3. Impact on operating system

A full tank of fuel can put excess pressure on components within your vehicle's fuel system. This can increase the risk of damage to components such as the fuel pump, lines, or pressure control valves. These components will have to work harder if you keep filling them up.

To avoid the above risks, you should calculate the amount of gasoline needed before filling. For example, only fill about 80-90% of the tank capacity, helping to reduce the load on the vehicle while still being enough to move comfortably. This not only avoids the risk of gasoline being sucked back, but also helps the engine operate more efficiently, saving fuel in the long run.

Should You Fill Up On Gas At A Fixed Amount?

Do not fill up with a fixed amount of gas because this can create conditions for some gas stations to commit fraud.

Many people often fill up with round amounts of gas, such as VND100.000 or VND500.000, for convenience in payment. In this case, the gas pump may not provide the exact amount of gas. Some untrustworthy gas stations may take advantage of this to adjust the pump, causing you to have less gas than the actual value.

To avoid being “pickpocketed”, you should fill up by volume, such as 10 liters, 20 liters instead of filling up by amount. When filling up by the liter, the pump system is often strictly inspected and has higher accuracy, ensuring you get the right amount of fuel for your needs.

Why Should You Fill Up With Gas When It's Cool?

Drivers should fill up when it's cool to save fuel (gasoline expands with temperature) and help protect the engine.

- Tips for Filling Up Your Car with Gas to Avoid Wasting Money and Damaging Your Car
Why should you fill up your gas tank when it's cool?

1. Gasoline expands with temperature

Gasoline has the property of expanding when exposed to high temperatures. At noon, when the outside temperature increases, the gasoline in the tank also expands. This means that the same volume of gasoline, but you can get less energy because the gasoline has expanded.

Conversely, in the early morning or evening, when temperatures are cool, gasoline expands less, helping you get more real gas for the same amount of money.

While this expansion doesn’t make a huge difference in volume, if you fill up frequently and over a long period of time, the cumulative benefit of filling up in the cool of the day can be significant. For those who drive frequently or take long trips, this habit can help save on gas costs.

2. Fuel system protection

As gasoline heats and expands, not only is the amount of energy affected, but there is also a risk of increased pressure in the vehicle's fuel injection system, affecting the performance and longevity of components.

Why Should You Ask The Gauge To “0” Before Pumping Gas?

Requiring the gauge to “0” before pumping is an important habit that helps you better control the amount of fuel pumped into your vehicle, avoiding fraud or miscalculation.

If the gauge does not “zero” before pumping, you will not know exactly how much gas is being pumped into your vehicle. Some employees may continue to fill up multiple customers without “zeroing,” resulting in inaccurate tracking of the amount of gas. This can lead to errors in calculating the amount you should pay, and you may end up with less gas than you paid for.

If you see that the staff does not set the meter to “0” before pumping, remind them immediately. This is your right to ensure transparency in the transaction process. In case of suspected fraud or irregularities, you can also report to the regulatory agency or business establishment.

Why Do You Need to Watch the Gauge Carefully When Pumping Gas?

It is important to carefully observe the meter on the pump to ensure timely detection of fraud, control the amount of gasoline received and avoid errors from the pumping equipment.

1. Detect signs of fraud

If you don’t pay attention to the meter, the attendant can take advantage of this by under-fueling. By closely monitoring the indicators on the gas pump, you can promptly detect irregularities, such as the amount of gas pumped that does not match the amount you paid. This helps prevent fraud at untrustworthy gas stations.

2. Control the amount of gasoline received

Keeping an eye on the gauge as you pump helps you keep track of exactly how much fuel is going into your tank. This is especially important when you are filling up by the litre rather than by the dollar, as it ensures you get the agreed amount.

3. Avoid errors from pumping equipment

Not all gas stations have pumps that meet standards or are regularly inspected. If you don’t monitor your meter closely, you could be losing money due to equipment errors, especially at less reputable gas stations. Paying close attention can also help you spot problems or errors with the pump.

- Tips for Filling Up Your Car with Gas to Avoid Wasting Money and Damaging Your Car
Watch the gauge carefully when pumping gas.

Why Do You Need to Fill Your Car with the Right Type of Gasoline?

Filling with the correct type of gasoline plays an important role in optimizing engine performance, avoiding engine damage and helping to prolong vehicle life.

1. Optimize engine performance

Different types of gasoline have different octane ratings, and your car's engine is designed to run most efficiently with the right octane rating. Filling with the right type of gasoline helps ensure that your car's combustion is perfect, which helps your car save fuel and perform at its best. On the other hand, filling with the wrong octane rating can reduce performance and cause your car to use more fuel.

2. Avoid dirt and engine damage

If the wrong type of gasoline is used, the fuel will not burn completely and will create deposits in the combustion chamber and other parts of the engine. These deposits can reduce combustion efficiency, damage components and force the engine to work harder to achieve the desired power, thereby wasting fuel.

3. Reduces the risk of long-term damage

Using the wrong type of fuel for your vehicle not only affects performance, but can also lead to long-term technical problems such as fuel injector blockage or combustion system damage. Using the wrong type of fuel can shorten the life of important components, increasing maintenance costs.

Why Choose a Reputable Gas Station?

Choosing a reputable gas station helps you receive quality fuel, feel secure about the accuracy of the fuel pumping system, ensure standard fuel pumping procedures, protect the engine and save fuel.

1. Guaranteed fuel quality

Reputable gas stations are closely monitored and inspected for fuel quality. They adhere to standards for fuel cleanliness and contamination, ensuring that you always receive clean, quality fuel. Using poor quality fuel can cause sludge and engine damage, leading to increased fuel consumption and repair costs.

2. Precise measurement system

At reputable gas stations, the gas pump system is often inspected and maintained regularly to ensure accuracy in the measurement process. They use clear display devices such as LED or LCD screens on the gas pumps, helping customers track the amount of gas and the amount of money transparently. This helps reduce the risk of fraud, such as pumping less gas.

3. Standard fuel pumping procedure

Reputable gas stations have clear working procedures, from returning the meter to “0” before pumping to ensuring fire safety. Staff at these stations are well-trained and strictly follow regulations, helping customers feel secure when filling up.

4. Protect engine and save fuel

Gasoline from reputable stations is often cleaner and less contaminated, which helps the engine run smoother and saves fuel. High-quality fuel not only helps your car run more efficiently, but also prolongs the life of mechanical parts such as fuel injectors and filters.

Why Shouldn't You Wait For The Gas Needle To Point To The Red Line Before Filling Up?

Allowing the fuel tank to run low near the red line can result in air being drawn into the fuel system, increasing the risk of fuel pump damage, clogging, and reduced vehicle performance.

- Tips for Filling Up Your Car with Gas to Avoid Wasting Money and Damaging Your Car
Don't wait for the fuel needle to point to the red line before filling up.

1. Risk of air being drawn into the fuel system

Some engines are designed to run best when they are flooded with fuel. When you let the tank get too low, you increase the risk of drawing air into the fuel system. Air in the system can disrupt combustion, cause the vehicle to run erratically, or even prevent it from starting.

2. Increased risk of fuel pump damage

The fuel pump in your car is normally cooled and lubricated by the fuel itself. When the fuel level is too low, the fuel pump is not immersed in the fuel, causing it to overheat and wear out more quickly. This increases the risk of pump failure, leading to expensive repairs.

3. Dirt in the fuel tank can cause blockages.

When fuel is allowed to run low, dirt and debris that accumulates at the bottom of the tank can easily be sucked into the fuel system. These contaminants can clog fuel filters and injectors, causing the engine to run less efficiently and requiring more frequent maintenance.

4. Reduced vehicle performance

A vehicle that is running low on fuel or running low on fuel will not be able to maintain optimal performance. This not only reduces engine performance but also increases fuel consumption as the vehicle has to work harder to compensate for the loss in combustion.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cars

1. How to avoid gasoline evaporation in the car tank?

Make sure the fuel cap is tight and undamaged. Gasoline can evaporate easily in an unsealed tank, especially in hot weather, wasting fuel unnecessarily.

2. Should I add more gas when the car tank is full?

Don't. Continuing to refuel after the tank is full can damage the pump system and put unnecessary pressure on fuel components, as well as cause fuel to back up.

3. Why is it important to maintain the fuel system in your car?

Regular maintenance of components such as fuel filters, injectors and fuel pumps helps ensure the fuel system operates efficiently, reducing wear and unnecessary fuel consumption.

4. How to know if your car's gas tank is leaking?

If your car smells strongly of gasoline, the gas level drops rapidly without being used, or you notice oil stains under the car, there is a possibility that the gas tank or gas line is leaking. You should have the car checked immediately to avoid the risk of fire or explosion.

5. Should I fill up my car with gas while the air conditioner is on?

No. You should turn off the air conditioner when refueling to reduce the load on the engine and avoid the fuel pump from working too hard during refueling, helping to save fuel and protect the engine.

6. How to save gas when using car air conditioning?

To Save fuel when using car air conditioning You need to start the engine before turning on the air conditioner, set the optimal temperature, use appropriate air circulation modes, maintain a cool cabin environment, use the windows properly...

7. Which address specializes in reputable car repair and maintenance?

If you are looking for a reputable car maintenance or repair place in Ho Chi Minh City, Thanh Phong Auto is a worthy choice. We are proud to have a team of skilled technicians, trained in depth with extensive experience in maintaining and repairing many car lines from popular to high-end.

Summary of services at Thanh Phong Auto
Prestigious car repair/maintenance address, good price in HCM

Advantages of Thanh Phong Auto:

  • Modern garage, advanced equipment: Spacious repair space, equipped with modern diagnostic and repair support machinery, ensuring fast and accurate process.
  • Thorough consultation: Customers will be specifically advised on repair and maintenance options and informed in advance about costs, with a commitment to transparency in each service.
  • Correct diagnosis, correct repair: Our team of experienced technicians will correctly detect the vehicle's problem, avoid unnecessary replacement of parts and ensure quality.
  • Genuine components: We are committed to using 100% genuine components, never using counterfeit goods or components of unknown origin.
  • 24/7 Rescue Support: Provided 24/7 car rescue service in Ho Chi Minh City area, helping customers feel secure in any emergency situation.

Contact us now for more detailed advice!

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