eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.
Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use † and Privacy Policy †. en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. † requires javascript
Post this comment to my Facebook Profile
bullittandy said
on 8/4/2009 Everything that "Boothy" said is incorrect. the fuel in the gas tank acts as a coolant for the fuel pump. Its okay to run the tank to "E" but it is bad to keep the tank near empty all the time. Also, running your tank low does not increase contaminants in the fuel system, the fuel pump sucks fuel from the bottom of tank ALL THE TIME. Also, fuel does not have time to evaporate in the gas tank on any regularly driven car.
crfkid96 said
on 8/3/2009 katrina, what you can do is put the gas cap in between the lever and the plastic on the bottom and the machine will pump by itself.
Boothy said
on 1/15/2007 fdwalker.... Keeping your tank low may not cause damage to the fuel pump but you will suck up any crud in the bottom of your tank, causing filters to become blocked before their time or other blockages elsewhere in the system. Also less fuel in the tank means more air in the tank and this can cause evaporation of fuel.
fdwalker said
on 12/22/2006 My husband thinks keeping low fuel in my car will eventually cause damage to the fuel pump!?!
Is this a fact?
katrina said
on 11/25/2006 I still have trouble filling gas in that I can't lock the hose for it to pump automatically, so I end up holding the hose all the time the gas is pumping..any suggestions anyone?? Thanks :)
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 On all new cars there is a small arrow on the face of the fuel guage that points to the side of the car that has the fuel filler door. Lots of folks never notice this!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 You should discharge any static before handling the fuel pump or removing the gas cap from your car. To discharge static, you do not have to touch a non-painted metal part of the car. Simply touch any metal part of the car to discharge static, painted or not.
Cell phones sparking fires is an urban legend. Static electricity sparking fires is not. However, talking on your phone while pumping gas is not wise. Your attention should be focused on the task and your surroundings.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Removing the gas hose from your car is a vital step in the refueling process. No amount of nervousness or embarrassed laughter can appease a gas station attendant whose fuel hose has just been ripped from their gas pump.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Cell phones cannot cause an explosion at a gas pump, but static electricity definitely can. Make certain to discharge any residual static charge by making contact with the metal exterior of your vehicle before grasping the pump handle. Touching the body of the car will permit the discharge of any static electric current. If you were to have that current discharge while pumping fuel, it could ignite the vapors and create an explosion.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 It rarely happens, but a spark from static electricity could ignite gas fumes and cause serious injury. To avoid this threat, leave electronic devices such as cell phones and handheld computers in your vehicle. If the phone rings or an alarm otherwise activates near the fuel pump, a small spark can be formed in the circuitry. Also, avoid re-entering your vehicle while fueling. If you must do so, touch an unpainted metal surface of your vehicle before returning to the fuel pump to discharge any potential static charge.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Extinguish all smoking materials (pipes, cigars, cigarettes) and turn off cell phones. Do not fill gas cans while they're on the vehicle. Put them on the ground .
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 A cell phone may cause a spark, causing the vapors from gasoline to explode. Turn it off!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 When filling up the tank never "top it off". Newer vehicles have electronic gauges which work by a piece of metal attached to the float arm that slides across metal contacts (called a sending unit), to indicate how much fuel is in the tank. "Topping off" can push this contact beyond its limits and damage the sending unit leading to inaccurate readings of the fuel gauge.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Don't waste your life making more trips to the gas station than necessary. Your time is too valuable! Fill up completely every time you go.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Every now and then, a pump doesn't turn off automatically. If this happens, it can get real expensive when you come back to the car and there's 20 gallons of gas on the ground.