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Wife refueled her car with Engine still running!?!?!

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I would say the risk of a fire is pretty small, but IMHO any risk of dying in a gasoline fire/explosion is unacceptable. I have done it a couple of times when having car trouble or dead battery (pretty certain the car wouldn't start again if I turned it off). But otherwize it's just too easy to turn the car off, why not?
 
You will waste more fuel running while refilling that restarting the car.

There is a potential for engine heat igniting fumes that may be collecting under the vehicle due to a spill.

The potential is greater for some-one else in vehicle to accidently engage the vehicle while the pump is active.

The law in most states REQUIRES you to TURN OFF vehicle before using the pump.
 
Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
A guy I dated a while back used to smoke while he pumped his gas. I remember the cashier woman came running out telling him to put his fvcking cigarette out.
Click to expand...

i've seen people smoke while pumping also. its like are you really that stupid?
 
Do you believe everything they tell you? I can't think of ANY way running the engine while refueling can cause a fire. Do you empty out the gas tank before driving?
 
Well, would an explosion occur if I pull up behind a car which is already fueling. Taking into consideration that my engine would me much nearer to it's fuel tank/cap than it's own engine...
 
Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
You will waste more fuel running while refilling that restarting the car.
Click to expand...
I heard otherwise. But from what I've noticed, you've got a lot of experience in the field, so I guess I just learned something. 🙂

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
The law in most states REQUIRES you to TURN OFF vehicle before using the pump.
Click to expand...
But is that for safety, or so the person doesn't just hop in and drive away?

 
I don't do this personally, but know friends who will. Then again, I usually go inside to pick up something from the store afterwards as well, so leaving the car running that whole time would be fairly wasteful.
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
You will waste more fuel running while refilling that restarting the car.
Click to expand...
I heard otherwise. But from what I've noticed, you've got a lot of experience in the field, so I guess I just learned something. 🙂

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
The law in most states REQUIRES you to TURN OFF vehicle before using the pump.
Click to expand...
But is that for safety, or so the person doesn't just hop in and drive away?
Click to expand...

umm...you mean they can't do that without the car running??? if its self service that isn't gonna stop anyone...
 
Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
so i was fueling my car the other day, with it running, talking on the cell phone, lit a cigarette with a match, and then went and sat back inmy car.

got back out of my car, didnt touch any metal and then removed the gas pump...
Click to expand...

future darwin award ftw!
 
Originally posted by: pontifex
Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
A guy I dated a while back used to smoke while he pumped his gas. I remember the cashier woman came running out telling him to put his fvcking cigarette out.
Click to expand...

i've seen people smoke while pumping also. its like are you really that stupid?
Click to expand...

I think with smokers, it's such a habit that they really dont realize sometimes that they are lighting up.
It becomes routine.
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
Originally posted by: AsianriceX
Why waste gas for a few minutes when having to pump gas?

😕
Click to expand...

Are you trying to say you consume less gas by turning off your car? 😕
Click to expand...

Wasn't that proven to be true a while ago for most cars? I vaguely recall an ATOT thread on that.
 
its illegal to do that, but shouldnt be too bad. Would be hard to cause a fire that way.

A much more common way of starting a fire is due to static electricity and common with the elderly. If you push on the carpet of the car when you are stepping out, then proceed to fill your gas tank a fire can result, not easily, but it can happen.

Its common with the elderly as they tend to leave the car slowly and rub their carpeting on the way out.
 
i do, and would anyway, but my car doesnt have central/electric locking anything, so if i want the fuel cap off i need to get the keys out the ignition to do it so theres no chance of me filling up with the engine on
 
Why don't all you a-holes who just blatantly disregard laws & rules that are there for your safety stop being so damn stupid and just follow a simple little guideline. Don't leave your f-in car running while you're putting gasoline in it. Is it really worth the risk of causing a fire or explosion that could hurt/kill you and/or others? 😕 Jesus christ...
 
I've done it once because I needed gas to get to a store to buy a new battery. 😛

Even if it is safe to do it I don't see the point.
 
the ignorance in this threads is amazing... comments on engine fires and such and "it doesn't really matter anymore"
good stuff.
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
You will waste more fuel running while refilling that restarting the car.
Click to expand...
I heard otherwise. But from what I've noticed, you've got a lot of experience in the field, so I guess I just learned something. 🙂

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
The law in most states REQUIRES you to TURN OFF vehicle before using the pump.
Click to expand...
But is that for safety, or so the person doesn't just hop in and drive away?
Click to expand...

a) Federal DOT had issued a study back before most of the people here were a gleem in their parents hormones that starting a vehicle used the equivalent of 30 seconds worth of idle. This was done during the legit gas crisis of the 70s.

Todays engines are be more efficient (~ 100-200%). Therefore lets allow equivalent idling time to go from 30 seconds to 90 seconds.

How many people will pump gas and/or run into the store inside a 90 second window.

Drive-thrus are one heck of a gas waster.

b) Laws were presumably put in place for safety purposes. Laws already existed for theft of service/goods.
 
I've done it before. I only did it because my car was having some difficulties (had to get someone to help start it up for me).
It was strange but it worked!
 
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