The truth is, most of us pick up bad habits at the gas station without even realizing it. And while some are harmless quirks, others quietly waste money, wear out components, or even pose safety risks. Whether you’re filling up once a week or once a month, it pays to know what not to do.

Let’s clear up the confusion and help you fuel smarter, safer, and without overspending.

Ignoring signs of faulty pumps or nozzles

If a pump keeps stopping or feels like it’s dribbling fuel instead of flowing smoothly, it may have a clogged vent line or faulty vacuum shut-off. Don’t wrestle with it. Switch pumps and let the station attendant know.

Refueling on “E”

Running close to empty doesn’t just stress you out. It also puts unnecessary strain on your fuel pump. Fuel acts as a coolant for the pump, and driving on low often can cause it to overheat or wear out faster. Refilling around the half-tank mark helps keep things running cooler and cleaner, especially in older cars that may already have sediment at the bottom of the tank.

Falling for viral “slow-flow” hacks

“You gotta pump slow to reduce bubbles!” Heard that one? AAA told Action News in Jacksonville, Florida, that it’s nonsense. Meters measure volume, not flow speed. A slow fill won’t boost your mileage.

Filling when the underground tank is being refilled

When fuel trucks top off station tanks, the process stirs up sediment. If you’re pumping during or right after, you could pull some of that into your own tank.

Topping off the gas tank after the click

When the nozzle clicks, your tank is full. Going beyond that risks overflow into your car’s vapor recovery system (and into the environment). After writing up gobs of shut-off valve and charcoal canister estimates, I can say with confidence that topping off is a waste and could even damage emissions gear.

Leaving your engine running

Some folks like to keep the ignition on to avoid rebooting their infotainment. Don’t. You’re pumping flammable vapors, and that’s unsafe. Most states ban it, anyway, and for good reason.

Re-entering your vehicle during fueling

Every in-and-out creates static electricity. That tiny spark could ignite gasoline vapors. Auto shops warn that static builds again if you hop back in mid-fill.

Using the wrong fuel grade

Premium doesn’t mean “better”…unless your ride needs it. Regular 87-octane is fine for most daily drivers. Paying more doesn’t give you extra power, cleaner emissions, or improved mileage if your car wasn’t tuned for it, Kelley Blue Book confirms. Use a lower grade, though, and you can bet on adopting a mechanical gremlin or two down the road.

Forgetting or mismatching your gas cap

A loose or wrong cap can trigger a check engine light. It also lets fuel vapors leak and messes with your car’s evaporative emissions system. Always tighten until you hear three clicks. If you ever need a replacement, stick with the OEM spec.

Getting distracted

Distraction leads to mistakes. It’s easier than you think to grab the wrong fuel, leave the cap off, or even forget to remove the nozzle. Stay off your phone and stay alert until you’re back in the driver’s seat with a full tank.

Most gas-pumping missteps aren’t catastrophic. But they add up in cost, wear, and risk. So next time you’re parked at the pump, just think: stop at the click, turn the key off, don’t top off, and stay focused. And if you’re really feeling efficient, aim to fill up when you’re down to half. Little habits lead to better miles.