We at Car Deal Expert would never encourage anyone to steal. So let’s say that you need to cut your grass before it starts to rain. There isn’t enough gas left in the can, but your car’s gas tank is full. It’s time to siphon gas, compadre! Here’s the skinny on how to siphon gas and get the job done. These techniques will help you siphon any liquid from one container to another without getting a mouthful.

How to siphon gas tip No. 1 – Understand gravity

Siphoning gas requires some basic knowledge of liquid levels and that thing called gravity. Realize that the level of gasoline in a tank or container is consistent at its top level. That’s a more convoluted way of saying that liquid seeks its own level.

Adding to this, let’s picture a pail that’s half full of water. Attach a hose to the bottom of the pail, via a nipple. The free end of the hose should sit no lower than the top of the pail. Notice that no water runs out, unless the free end of the hose is lowered beneath the water surface. This will happen regardless of how long the hose is, so long as the water has a continuous, uninterrupted path through the hose.

How to siphon gas tip No. 2 – Understand uninterrupted path

In order to see this principle at work more clearly, try another experiment. Take a bucket and a length of clear plastic hose, about 5 feet long. The hose must be clear so that you see whether or not there’s air inside. Fill a large glass container on a table with water, then fill the hose completely with water so that no obvious air pockets are present. Place a thumb over each end of the hose, and submerge one end in the glass container, beneath the water line. Allow the free (but still covered) end of the hose to droop over the side of the table.

Next, raise the free end of the hose about the top of the glass container and remove your thumb from the end. The water has a “continuous uninterrupted” path, and you’ll see it seek its own level. With the hose near the top of the glass container, the water level will shift to match the level.

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How to siphon gas tip No. 3 – On with siphoning gas

Now that the very amateur science experiment is done, start siphoning gas. Place a gas can on the ground near the opening to the car’s gas tank. Run a clean, clear, empty hose (about 6 feet long) into the gas tank, well below the level of gasoline. Elevate yourself so that you are positioned well above the level of gas in the tank while holding the other end of the hose. Carefully, suck the free end of the hose and the gas will begin to move through the hose. You needn’t ingest gasoline – in fact, it is not advisable – but suck just enough to get it going, and spit out anything that comes through.

If the hose is held high enough above the level of the tank, you should be able to avoid tasting petrol. Let the end of the hose droop over, downward into the opening in the gas can. Diminish suction slowly and get that hose end into the gas can once flow is established. If you have a suction pump, use it instead of your mouth. However, the old fashioned way does work!

Once you have enough gas, raise your hose and can above the level of the gas tank to stop the flow. Take the hose out of the can, lift the free end up high, then yank the other end out of the car’s gas tank.

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MCDE Editorial