14 Gas Station Myths Virginians Still Fall For

When it comes to filling up, you’ve probably been lied to more than once. Going to the gas station in Virginia should be a straightforward experience, yet it’s littered with ill-informed myths.

In some ways, this makes sense. Americans are desperate to save a few cents per gallon where they can. If filling up in the AM or slowing down the pump can help, we’re all too willing to try.

Sadly, more often than not, gas station hacks are pure fiction. While there are some truths about filling up, many of the tales you’ve heard on social media and elsewhere simply aren’t to be believed.

1: You Should Buy Gas in the Morning

There’s a long-held belief that buying gas first thing in the morning or late at night when the temperature is cooler is best. The idea is that low temps lead to greater fuel density at the pump, so you get more per gallon.

The science behind this idea is solid. Gasoline is a liquid and should condense at lower temperatures. However, gas stations typically store fuel in double-walled underground tanks which keeps its temperature steady regardless of the time of day.

2: Don’t Answer Your Phone

Many people believe using your phone while refueling is dangerous. They say your wireless phone could cause a fire or explosion.

Gas is a highly flammable substance, and many gas stations post a warning about using your phone while filling up. But according to the Federal Consumer Commission, there are no documented instances of a fire or explosion caused by a cell phone. Gas stations continue to post warnings because they don’t want people to be distracted while refueling.

3: All Gas Is Created Equal

All gas must meet federal standards for fueling stations to sell it in the U.S. However, not all gas is the same.

The auto industry relies on a tier system for ranking gasoline, with Top-Tier gas being the best available. According to a 2016 AAA study, Top-Tier gas, which has more detergent additives, really can keep your car running smoother for longer.

4: Diesel Is Always Green

If you drive a diesel vehicle, you might believe any pump with a green nozzle is safe to use. While that would be convenient, it’s not true.

Diesel nozzles are green in many areas, but they can also be black, red, yellow, or blue, depending on the station’s color scheme. So, before you mindlessly reach for the green nozzle, be sure to read the label.

5: Go Slow

Some people believe that pumping fuel slowly will help them save on a tank. This idea stems from the desire to get more fuel for less, which is understandable given gas prices these days.

Sadly, manually pumping your fuel at a slower rate rather than letting it flow automatically won’t save you any money. Whether the gas moves slowly or fast, you still pay for every gallon you put in.

6: Don’t Use the A/C

There was a time when cars needed a lot of fuel to run the A/C. Back then, it made sense that avoiding the air conditioner might help you save on gas.

Modern vehicles are much more fuel-efficient, though. So, turning off the A/C probably won’t save you much in terms of gas.

In fact, rolling down the window instead of turning on the air conditioner could hurt your fuel economy. With the window down, you’ll create more drag, which does affect your gas mileage.

7: Never Fill From Empty

You might have heard that filling a car up from empty means you’ll pay more for gas. This is and isn’t true.

If you fill up from empty, you’ll pay more than if you had a quarter tank, but that’s only because you’re purchasing more gasoline. Filling from empty doesn’t make gas cost more per gallon.

8: A New Air Filter Means Better Gas Mileage

With older vehicles that use a carburetor, this piece of advice was good. Keeping your air filter clean in that scenario could help with your fuel economy.

However, in new cars, a clean air filter isn’t going to make much of a difference. It’s good to have a clean one for other reasons, but it shouldn’t affect your mileage.

9: Premium Is Better

Some people always pump premium into their vehicles because they believe it’s better for the engine. However, if your car doesn’t require premium gas, you don’t need to spend the extra money to get it.

Premium gas ignites at a higher temperature, making it ideal for high-performance vehicles. But if the dealership doesn’t tell you that you have to put premium fuel in your car model, using it won’t make your engine any more efficient.

10: Top Off to Ensure Your Tank Is Really Full

There’s a reason almost every gas station warns against topping off fuel. While doing so might seem like a good way to ensure your tank is truly full, it can actually be harmful in many ways.

If you overfill your tank, you could harm your EVAP system, leading to costly repairs. Topping off can also lead to spills, which are bad for the environment.

11: Hold the Nozzle Trigger to Keep Out Air

The idea behind this myth is that holding the nozzle halfway will allow air into your tank, leaving less space for valuable gasoline. While it sounds somewhat logical, it’s entirely false.

Squeezing the nozzle extra hard to get more gas doesn’t work. Pumps have an electronic meter that measures how much gas enters your car, regardless of speed.

12: Rock the Car

Have you ever witnessed someone shaking their car at the tank? The thought is that a hard jostle will create more room so they can add more gasoline.

This is a total myth. Jostling your car to try and add more gas will only lead to overfilling your tank, which could damage your vehicle. Of course, it is entertaining for everyone else at the pump.

13: Cheaper Means Poor Quality

Some gas snobs refuse to buy the cheapest gas in their area because they believe cheaper is equal to poor quality. However, the joke’s on them.

Fuel has to meet federal regulations to be sold, so whatever the gas is labeled as (top-tier or regular) is what it is, regardless of the price. Many smaller, independent gas stations sell gas for less because they can. They may not have the overhead of bigger chains, or they may just be trying to undercut the competition. Either way, you benefit.

14: Idle to Use Less Gas

Many people believe that idling their cars is better for their gas mileage than turning them off and on. This isn’t true.

Idling most vehicles for as little as ten seconds uses as much fuel as starting your car. So, if you’re trying to save fuel, it’s usually best to turn your car off while waiting, even if it’s only for a few minutes.

Fact: Don’t Reenter Your Vehicle

Not everything you’ve heard about gas stations is a myth. For example, you really shouldn’t reenter your vehicle while fueling.

According to the American Petroleum Institute, static electricity can build up when you reenter your vehicle. When you go back to discharge the pump, that static could cause a flash fire.

Fact: Keep It Off Your Skin

Many Americans pump gas regularly, and it’s easy to become nonchalant about it. However, gasoline is a flammable irritant, so you should always be careful while handling it.

If it gets on your skin, it can cause an itchy rash. So, do your best to keep it off your hands while pumping gas, and if you spill a little, wash up right away.

Fact: Don’t Smoke

Gas is extremely flammable, which is why every gas station has a no-smoking sign. Lighting a cigarette while fueling up is a good way to start a fire or ignite an explosion.

From 2004 to 2008, fire departments responded to over 5,000 gas station fires, which caused over $20 million in property damage and two deaths. Though most of those fires were caused by vehicle fires, several occurred because someone was smoking at the gas station.