No smoking. Speaking of sparks, it should be obvious that it`s wise not to smoke when pumping fuel. Again, the posters will remind you of this, and in this case, the chances of igniting the fuel are great. A cigarette ash shot too close to the gas tank could cause a fire. I`ve never had the courage to approach an abusive driver (partly out of fear of retaliation), but I can do it now because I know it`s illegal. Stay put. Fuel pumps are easy to use. A locking mechanism keeps the pin open during refueling, giving you a hands-free experience until you need to disconnect. Theoretically, the pump should turn off automatically as soon as it detects that your tank is full, although this is not 100% foolproof. Therefore, avoid the temptation to walk away from the vehicle to go to the bathroom, find a coffee or do something else.
Keep an eye on the pumping process. Stay safe. I`m surprised you`ve never seen someone fill up their car with the engine running. If I had to leave the gas station every time someone did that stunt, I`d never get gas. Pump fuel. So, can you keep your car on while you pump gas? Technically, the answer is that you can. The reason is simple: putting gasoline in a fuel tank while a car is running is harmless, as long as there is no spark nearby. In fact, watch a NASCAR or Formula 1 race, and that`s exactly how pit teams fill up – with the race car running. On the other hand, there`s a good reason not to leave your car on: signs at gas pumps asking you to turn off your vehicle while pumping.
Think of it as a matter of liability that the gas station would prefer not to take care of because of the remote possibility that static electricity could cause an explosion. It is not uncommon to fill up with gas while the engine is running. It`s routine during the cold months because these [people] don`t want the inside of their car to cool down when they refuel. Many times I`ve seen people fill their tanks with the engine running (we won`t even talk about smoking; that`s another story!). I always thought it was stupid and dangerous, but I didn`t know it was illegal too. However, I have not heard of any fires caused by this practice. In this article, we will discuss the reasons to park your car when refueling. We also talk about other practical safety tips on the pump. Seriously, does anyone have any data on the chances of gasoline igniting while a vehicle is refueling, and also how those chances increase with refueling with the engine on? And as far as I know, I`m far from alone in finding the right answer to these questions.
Surprisingly, this topic was hotly debated in the Washington Post. But then again, there`s a reason why so many people want to know how to approach this problem. After all, pumping gasoline in a car could actually be a matter of life and death. I talked earlier about vapour recovery systems. What I omitted was that by refueling and running the engine, you could damage that system. Sure, a mechanic would manage to fix it, but it would cost you a lot. In fact, it could cost you up to $1,500. Yes, I saw someone filling up their car while the engine was running. When I realized what she was doing (she was behind me at the pump), I kindly explained that it was not a safe procedure. When my car is running, when I pump gasoline into it, a lot of harmful fumes can escape into the air. Typically, cars have a vapor recovery system that prevents these harmful gases from entering the atmosphere. Of course, pumping gas while the car is running is just one of many things you should avoid at a gas station.
If there`s anything you`d like to add to this conversation, feel free to do so in the comments below. The short answer is yes. U.S. law explicitly states that you cannot leave your car on while refueling. I quote: “No internal combustion engine fuel tank shall be filled with flammable liquid while the engine is running.” There are similar laws in the UK and most other countries around the world. When you run errands and drive to the gas station, you often have your children or pets with you. It`s understandable that these beloved family members visit the station with you, but they both belong to the car at all times.