5 Mistakes Drivers Make When Filling up the Tank

Filling your car up with gas should be pretty easy. What kind of mistakes can you realistically make at the pumps? Well, you'd be surprised! Simple errors through a loss of concentration or bad judgement could lead to bigger problems down the road. So with that in mind, we're going to outline the five biggest slip-ups to avoid right here.

What's the harm in overfilling your car's tank? Every little helps, right? Wrong! The levels are there for a reason, folks. Don't forget — gasoline expands when it gets hot. If the tank's filled to the brim, the excess fuel could easily leak out on the road. In addition to that, your engine's performance might suffer as well.

When you pull up at the gas station, be sure to turn your engine off before heading to the pumps. Why's that? Well, if you leave it running, you could potentially start a fire. We're serious! Gas vapors are extremely flammable, and a running engine can create sparks due to the heat. It's a risk you don't need to take, folks.

As you're no doubt aware, not all cars use the same type of fuel. But what would happen if you decided to mix your tank of regular gasoline with a dash of premium? Could that improve the vehicle's performance? Nope! You run the risk of causing permanent damage to the engine, as well as the fuel system itself.

So mixing gasolines is off the table. What about using the wrong type of fuel in an empty tank? Is that any worse? You bet it is! That decision could leave your engine in a horrible state. Components such as the fuel injectors and fuel pump may get damaged, while the car's overall performance will likely diminish.

If you're on a budget, paying slightly less for a lower-quality gasoline might seem tempting. But you shouldn't do it, folks. Fuel like that has a lower octane rating, meaning it's more suseptible to premature ignition. That can lead to rough rides and a loud knocking noise under the hood. In other words, it's bad news for the engine.