
Never Do This When Pumping Gas in New York
Anyone who puts gas in their vehicles at the gas pumps should be aware that doing this is extremely bad and could result in expensive repairs in the future.
If you have a car or truck and have the task of putting gas in it each week so you can drive from one place to another you are well aware that it's one of the least exciting and expensive things most of us have to do each week.
Gas Prices in New York
Yes, gas prices have come down a bit across New York in the last few months but it's still one of the biggest expenses many of us have every week. Obviously the "budget impact" varies based on the size of the vehicle, how much you drive, and how big the gas tank is but according to the folks at J.D. Power, the average American household spends about $204 per month on gas, or $2,449 per year.
If you're a commuter those numbers are probably much higher which means what we learned the other day is even more important.
How Do New Yorkers Pump Their Gas?
We asked fans on social media, "When you're pumping gas do you stop pumping when the pump stops or do you have to go to the next whole dollar amount?" I have always been the type of "pumper" who does everything he can to get as much gas in the tank as possible and will never leave a gas pump with an uneven dollar amount on the pump.
So I wondered if anyone else handled gas pumping the same way I do? Hundreds of fans responded and it was clear that a lot of us New Yorkers do the same thing. Kim said, "Next dollar amount...if I miss I get sooooo angry!!" William said, "I squeeze every last scent I can into it until it’s overflowing."
SEE ALSO: New York State Thruway Going Toll-Free At Night?
Now, I don't go that far, but I had no idea that if you do as I do, you could be causing damage to your car without even knowing it.
Never Do This When Pumping Gas!
Rich, a longtime car mechanic in the Hudson Valley checked in with us and explained that if you do the "gas squeeze" in your vehicle it could lead to expensive damage. He said, "Stop!!! Keeping on clicking and you set a check engine light when the extra fuel goes into the charcoal canister and cost you $$$$!!! Not covered under any warranty!!!"
Mechanic Explains
He went on to explain that most gas tanks have charcoal canisters designed to absorb gas vapors. When you overfill your gas tank, the gas (liquid) can soak the charcoal, leading to it needing to be replaced, which he said "isn't covered under most vehicle warranties."
So, the next time you pump gas make sure you stop when the pump tells you to stop so you don't find yourself on the hook for a completely avoidable repair.
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