Scott and SadieYou know how to pump gas . . . right?
Some guy on TikTok went viral with a list of four ways you might be pumping gas wrong. But it’s TikTok we’re talking about, so are they really true?
1. Fill up in the morning, or at night. He says gas expands when it’s warm, so you get a little more for your money when it’s cold out. You won’t save enough to retire on, but it won’t hurt.
In theory, yes, but don’t worry about it. “Consumer Reports” tested it out, and it only saves you a few cents at best. Gas stations store fuel underground where the temperature doesn’t fluctuate much. So there’s not a huge difference.
2. Put the nozzle clip on the lowest setting. He says it’s worth the wait because the faster you pump, the more it turns to vapor. And gas pumps have “vapor return lines” that suck it back in, so it doesn’t end up in your tank.
Again, maybe. But we’re talking pennies. Your time is worth more, so just pump your gas and get on with your life.
3. Don’t wait until your tank is empty. He claims gas evaporates faster when there’s more air in there. But again, it doesn’t make a huge difference, if any.
The REAL reason to follow that advice is gas tanks have sediment at the bottom. And when your tank is low, more of it can clog up your filters. So it’s better to always ride with at least half a tank, just not for the reason he says.
4. Don’t gas up when a tanker truck is there. Again, it’s not a big deal. But those underground tanks have sediment too, and it gets stirred up each time they’re filled.
It could mean more gunk gets in your system. But your car has a fuel filter, and gas stations have filters too. If you want to be extra careful, hit a different station. But it probably won’t make a difference.
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