Should the fuel tank be filled up when refueling?
1 Answers
It is possible to fill up the fuel tank when refueling, depending on personal preference. Two scenarios of "filling up": The commonly referred to "filling up" can be divided into two types: the rated capacity and the maximum capacity of the vehicle's fuel tank. The method to distinguish between these two is usually the first and second click of the fuel gun during refueling. The fuel tank capacity indicated by the car manufacturer in the manual is the rated capacity, not the maximum capacity, because the fuel tank design already considers the potential safety hazards of filling up. According to the national mandatory standard "Safety Performance Requirements and Test Methods for Automotive Fuel Tanks (GB18296-2001)", the safety performance requirements for gasoline fuel tanks state that "the rated capacity should be controlled at 95% of the maximum liquid capacity of the fuel tank." Therefore, if the fuel is filled to the "rated capacity", there is still a certain safety margin left in the tank. Even if high temperatures cause the gasoline to expand, there is still some space left, reducing the risk of gasoline overflowing from the vent hole. Hence, filling to the "rated capacity" is safe. However, filling to the maximum capacity or even overflowing is undoubtedly unsafe. Overfilling can lead to oil spills, excessive oil pressure, carbon canister failure, and other safety issues, affecting driving safety. Timing for refueling: It is advisable to refuel when about a quarter of the fuel remains. If the fuel level is too low, the fuel pump may not be fully immersed in fuel, affecting its cooling and increasing its workload. Additionally, impurities at the bottom of the tank may cause blockages. Therefore, to protect the fuel pump, it is best not to wait until the fuel warning light comes on before refueling. Amount of fuel to add: When refueling, it is generally sufficient to stop at the first click of the fuel gun, as this indicates that the maximum rated capacity has been reached. Adding more fuel after the first click carries certain risks. Exceeding the rated capacity may lead to oil leaks, blocked vent holes, damage to the carbon canister, and other problems. Therefore, it is important to refuel reasonably according to the marked rated capacity and avoid overfilling for convenience, which could create safety hazards.