Prius topped off gas by the gas attendant...

Been doing that way since new without issue.

 

no prolemo. no need to shut off at the first click, you just don't want to top it all the way up to the top of the filler neck. even then, damage is unusual.

 

You asked and the answer is you will not break anything on your GEN III. Your car, do what makes you feel good.

 

If that is your concern, then "top it off" right before your commute. This really is a non-issue though.

 

As to dirt and fuel residue behind the filler door area...normal. Just wipe it out when it bothers you.

 

No way to really answer that because you don't know at what level the first click actually occurred.

IF the nozzle is shoved all the way in.......as it should be......then sometimes the first click-off will be triggered by gas splashing around in the tank. Going to the second click while keeping the nozzle tucked in is almost never a bad idea.
More than that and all bets are off; same with not putting the nozzle all the way in.

 

I stop pumping the first time the pump shuts off. Not saying the rest of the world needs to do it, but it works for me. Reasons:

1. Gets me out of there and the next customer to the pump sooner.
2. Simple, works, is relatively consistent.
3. Avoids possible spill, and/or possible screwing up of evaporative control system.

I also avoid full-service pumps like the plague. Guess that rules out moving to Oregon...

 

they have the plague?

 

After the 1st click you can still put in 2 more gallons, at least I can in our 2010 Prius. It
is kind of nice to get an extra 100 miles of range.

 

I kept topping off the fuel after the first click of my previous car. It ruined the EVAP system which caused a contant gasoline smell from the exterior of the car, a check engine light to come on (code P0440) and my technician suspected it flooded and ruined the canister filter. At the same time, my mileage took a really big hit from this since I believe the EVAP system was venting gas to the exterior environment.

Don't do it! So you managed to squeeze a few more drops of gas at a lower cost from the pump..but you might potentially open a Pandora's box and cause a whole new slew of problems to pop up.

I sold my previous car because of this problem, plus that fact that it needed about $4000 worth of other work (including a hit and run by a kid) to get it back to good working condition.

 

and avoid full service like the plague!

 

Might as well have, I put those guys in the same league as Minute Lube and the like.

My wife and I were across the street (thankfully) from a full service Esso. Full service is mandated in our municipality, I've never filled up there, hang on, maybe once. Thankfully we're near two neighbouring municipalities without such regulation. Anyway:

The station attendant had apparently locked the pump on. You guessed it: the tank had filled, auto-shut-off had failed, and the gas was just agushing. At least 30 seconds, more like a minute, elapsed before someone finally strolled out of the gas station, did a VERY comical double-take, and started racing for the pump.

No explosion, all good. Apart from liters and liters of gas down the storm drains.

 

I always pump the gas and I quit on the second click, I never try to round up to the next dollar. It's pretty consistent and going more than that can damage EVAP stuff.

 

i used to round up to the dollar, now it's 10 cents.