What's up with topping off?

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OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
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i top off all the time, its the only way to get a accurate reading of your MPG. and i will continue to do it.

on my Camry i can put in another 2.3 gallons of gas from when the pump first shuts off.
 

whattaguy

Senior member
Jun 3, 2004
941
0
76
I was talking with a chemical engineer, and he said that a particular additive in gasoline can contaminate a water supply at 1 part/billion.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
Originally posted by: whattaguy
I was talking with a chemical engineer, and he said that a particular additive in gasoline can contaminate a water supply at 1 part/billion.

gas evaporates pretty damn fast.

 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: Loreena
Follow the directions on the pump. If it says don't top off DON'T.

Some stations WILL nail you for spilling gas too. It's a scam where they call some BS "environmental" cleanup group that throws kitty litter on the spill (basically) and charges a ridiculous amount of money to YOUR insurance. They make out like bandits with that crap and it should be stopped.

Considering a gallon of gasoline pollutes a ridiculous amount of water (the benzene is the worst problem IIRC), you sound pretty uninformed.

I have a friend who worked for an environmental remediation group (basically the red-headed stepchild branch of an oil company). He actually tested this stuff. Just because it's common doesn't mean that it's safe or good.

The real scam is the many, many loopholes or cases of people not caring when seriously dangerous stuff gets spilled, because "It's just <insert common chemical>".

lol a gallon of gas is a lot of gas to spill. having 1 ounce splash out and land on the concrete is not going to hurt a thing.

 

Oyeve

Lifer
Oct 18, 1999
22,071
885
126
I don't drive so I don't care. I came into this thread because I thought it was something involving sex. :)
 

BillGates

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2001
7,388
2
81
Originally posted by: Citrix
i top off all the time, its the only way to get a accurate reading of your MPG. and i will continue to do it.

on my Camry i can put in another 2.3 gallons of gas from when the pump first shuts off.

I always top off too - I think I can get another 1.5-2.0 gallons once it clicks (Lexus GS430). Adding that much gas means I can probably drive another 2-3 days before I have to fill up again...and in the winter, this is well worth it!
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,576
126
My Jeep says don't top off, one auto shutoff and it's full.

My Ford says I can top off, three auto shutoffs and it's full.
 

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
25,074
4
0
Originally posted by: lastig21
My in-laws always top off their tanks to the next even dollar amount . . and then pay with a credit card.

My fiancee does this. It's fucking infuriating.
 

eplebnista

Lifer
Dec 3, 2001
24,123
36
91
I just let the pump shut itself off once and then let it go on up to the next even $xx.00 amount.
 

uclaLabrat

Diamond Member
Aug 2, 2007
5,632
3,045
136
Originally posted by: whattaguy
I was talking with a chemical engineer, and he said that a particular additive in gasoline can contaminate a water supply at 1 part/billion.

MTBE?
 

Ika

Lifer
Mar 22, 2006
14,264
3
81
Originally posted by: AmpedSilence
I go to several gas stations on a regular basis. Some of them I top-off with others i don't. The Hess near my house is always underfilling my tank. I can fill about another gallon in after the first click if i REALLY wanted to push it, but then the Wawa around the corner I have to stop at one click. So, it's totally gas station based.

Wawas sell gas? Interesting.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
I always top off. It's like another 0.25+ gallons of gas.

I also do it to make my MPG calculations more accurate. The pumps will shut off at different times and skew the results.

And lastly, at least as a courier driver, I liked to push the envelope a bit. It was fun trying to find a gas station as you're watching the miles tick by on E. ;)
 

sao123

Lifer
May 27, 2002
12,653
205
106
Originally posted by: eplebnista
I just let the pump shut itself off once and then let it go on up to the next even $xx.00 amount.

This. Is. Topping. Off.
 

eplebnista

Lifer
Dec 3, 2001
24,123
36
91
Originally posted by: sao123
Originally posted by: eplebnista
I just let the pump shut itself off once and then let it go on up to the next even $xx.00 amount.

This. Is. Topping. Off.

No it isn't, because my vehicles tank is not completely full. It is just at the next dollar amount up with zero cents after the first shut off. I have filled other relatives vehicles tanks completely full at their request and after the first shut off their vehicles took more than a dollar to get completely full, which is why I know I am not filling my tank completely full with less than a dollars worth extra going into the tank.