A motoring expert has taken to YouTube to explain the reason why drivers should never be tempted to add more fuel to their car after the pump’s trigger has clicked off
A motoring expert has issued a stark warning – telling drivers to avoid a common petrol station blunder that could lead to hefty repair costs.
Brian Reider, who runs the Regular Car Reviews channel on YouTube, shares his expertise by reviewing a variety of cars and offering advice to prevent costly mistakes. In one of his latest clips, he cautions car owners about the dangers of overfilling their tanks after the pump clicks off.
He explains: “If you fill up your car this way, you’re an idiot. Don’t ever do this. If you’re filling your car and you hear a click, stop right there. Don’t go ‘oh, I’m going to add a little bit more gas [petrol]’ and pull [the trigger] again.”
Brian warns that continuing to add fuel can flood the fuel filler neck, which is harmful. He elaborates: “What you’re doing is putting gas into the fuel filler neck, and that’s no good. Do not do that, and here’s why. Your fuel cap is vented, this is a little vent hole, and down here is a little drain hole. If you overfill, you’re messing up the ventilation of your fuel tank.”
He stresses that when the petrol pump automatically clicks, indicating the tank is full, drivers should resist the urge to top up further. Overfilling can cause the fuel to heat, expand, and potentially force excess petrol or diesel into the charcoal canister feed line, reports the Express.
In a recently posted video, Brian revealed that drivers’ common bad habit of overfilling their fuel tank might have more drawbacks than benefits. He explained that such practices could lead to a slew of complications, including difficulty starting the engine, increased emissions, and triggering the ‘check engine’ light on the dashboard.
He pointed out: “Plus, if you have an older SUV or truck like this, what is a few soda cans’ worth of fuel really getting you? You’ll get a whole heck worth of trouble for around half a mile down the road of extra range.”
Instead, he suggested that motorists should only add the necessary amount of fuel to their tanks and top up more often. However, experts warn against the opposite extreme as well—running your car on empty can be just as damaging.
Not providing enough fuel for your vehicle risks overheating and harming the fuel pump, as it’s typically cooled by being submerged in fuel. The resulting damage from overheating can cause the engine to lose power abruptly or even stall entirely, as insufficient fuel reaches the powertrain.
