This gas station faux pas will leave you fuming.
An automotive enthusiast in Texas was recently filling up when he noticed another customer committing a highly common mistake — an amateur move that could have your check engine light blinking like the Griswold house at Christmas.
Sharing the incident on TikTok, user @sweet_tea saw that the person kept pumping gas into their vehicle after the pump had clicked repeatedly.
“I pop over, just being friendly and say ‘hey that’s not good for your fuel tank,’” the car and cheeseburger lover said to his audience.
“It may not happen right away but if you keep on overfilling it, you will eventually have to replace your purge valve,” he added.
The TikToker also noted that the person confessed to recently needing a purge valve repair — which can cost upwards of $500.
Autotrader corroborated the tip in a post warning readers that gas overflow can cause the valve to fail. The outlet also noted additional issues that pushing past fuel limits can cause.
A car’s charcoal canister, which absorbs fuel vapor, can also get damaged and repairs go for similar prices.
Solenoids, important for starting a car, can also be harmed — repairs often go for around $400.
Fortunately, a one-time slip-up won’t likely implicate the worst, according to those in the know.
Instead, this is an issue that arises over time and by repetition.
