• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

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

Page 6 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Originally posted by: Raduque

When I worked for a (prepay/pay at the pump only) gas station, I wouldn't turn on the pump unless the person turned off their vehicle/put out the smoke/put away the cellphone. I don't particularly need the 50,000 gallons tanks under the station to explode, thanks. It really ruins my day when that happens
Click to expand...

Yet again, someone with no knowledge claims that the 50,000 gallon tanks underground are somehow going to blow up.

I want you to show me one time that this has ever happened. Even if the gas station is on fire aboveground, the tanks underground will not explode.

Please check you facts before posting.
 
Originally posted by: altonb1
Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
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...
Click to expand...

dude...take a prozac and chill out....

I leave my car running sometimes and sometimes I turn it off. depends on temps outside, etc and how much gas I'll get. Not a big deal, really.
Click to expand...



Don't mind him, he's the village idiot.
 
Basically, about the only way you can accidently get ignition while refueling these days is static electricity.

You can avoid this by not getting back in the car while refueling.

If I have my kids in the car, I don't shut it off. It gets very hot and humid here. I won't leave them in the car strapped in with the engine off.

The exhaust on basically every car is on the other side of the car from the fuel filler cap.

So that won't start a fire.

There's almost no way any fumes are going to get under the hood and be ignited by the ignition. Not that many fumes can escape while refueling, unless you are pouring the gas on the ground.

I know what they say about cell phones, but I want to see one instance where this has actually caused a fire.
Again, you just don't have that many fumes escaping while refueling, and the ones that do are dissipated almost instantly.
You'd have to have the spark occur very close to the gas filler opening to have a chance of fire.

Regarding the amount of gas used to restart versus idling, this was based on info done during the gas shortage in the 70's, (which was totally bogus, BTW) when there were long gas lines and people were shutting their cars off at stoplights to save gas.

It applies only to carbureted engines....has no real relevance today. There was much more gas wasted starting a carbureted car than with EFI.
So the study showed that people wasted more gas restarting than they saved by not idling.

So really, there is little to no danger of fire at the pump from the actual car running.
Getting in and out of the car, which might recharge you with static, can occur whether the car is running or not....so it's irrelevant to this topic....and this is the main cause of fires at the pump.

Edit: And the main reason that there was a fire risk in the older days, is that most exhausts exited at the rear of the cars, and the filler cap was in the rear also.
Not the case much today.
 
You don't need to wear a seat belt when you're driving around at 75 MPH on the freeway too. About the only time you need to wear it is when you hit an object. But when you realize you need to buckle in, it's too late.
 
You can definitely refuel it with no problems... This is scary for older cars because if they backfire while the gas is being pumped, they could ignite the fuel vapors and make you a nice crispy piece of toast.

Fuel injected engines are less likely to have problems like this, but ya never know!!!
 
Originally posted by: Baked
You don't need to wear a seat belt when you're driving around at 75 MPH on the freeway too. About the only time you need to wear it is when you hit an object. But when you realize you need to buckle in, it's too late.
Click to expand...

And if you actually did any research or at least read the posts in this thread, you'd see that the main cause of pump fires is static electricity and not a running engine. But I bet that you don't do anything to minimize static buildup, do you?
 
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
You can definitely refuel it with no problems... This is scary for older cars because if they backfire while the gas is being pumped, they could ignite the fuel vapors and make you a nice crispy piece of toast.

Fuel injected engines are less likely to have problems like this, but ya never know!!!
Click to expand...
Even if they do, the exhaust is on the other side of the car.

On older cars, the exhaust and the fuel filler cap was in the rear.....not good.
 

It is illegal to fill your car while it is running in many places, and it saves a little fuel/environment.

The likely hood that it catches on fire is low unless fuel spill out on to the hot pavement and someone throw a lit match at it, because in order for fuel to burn it has to be in gaseous form and roughly between 2-18% with air mixture to combust. It requires quite a large amount to of evaporation for the gasoline to burn because much of it will quickly dissipate into the air.

You might want to try a more diplomatic approach at explaining things to your wife and saving the environment could be a good point to sway her thinking process toward your idea.

Many people have the tendency to be pig headed when approach directly at the issue because they feel that it is a direct attack to their intelligent. I find it is more so with women that we are sleeping with because they seem to feel insecure and require much more work to solve a small issue?maybe they feel that us men supposes to be their hero that walk & talk like movies people.

 
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
You can definitely refuel it with no problems... This is scary for older cars because if they backfire while the gas is being pumped, they could ignite the fuel vapors and make you a nice crispy piece of toast.

Fuel injected engines are less likely to have problems like this, but ya never know!!!
Click to expand...
Even if they do, the exhaust is on the other side of the car.

On older cars, the exhaust and the fuel filler cap was in the rear.....not good.
Click to expand...
Cars can backfire through the carborator too ya know.... Any flames around pumps are bad ones... I think the biggest risk is in the winter when static is everywhere. Anytime the humidity falls below 50%, you can be at risk...
 
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Cars can backfire through the carborator too ya know.... Any flames around pumps are bad ones... I think the biggest risk is in the winter when static is everywhere. Anytime the humidity falls below 50%, you can be at risk...
Click to expand...

Sure, the old ones can. Luckily fuel injection removes that problem.
 
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: Raduque

When I worked for a (prepay/pay at the pump only) gas station, I wouldn't turn on the pump unless the person turned off their vehicle/put out the smoke/put away the cellphone. I don't particularly need the 50,000 gallons tanks under the station to explode, thanks. It really ruins my day when that happens
Click to expand...

Yet again, someone with no knowledge claims that the 50,000 gallon tanks underground are somehow going to blow up.

I want you to show me one time that this has ever happened. Even if the gas station is on fire aboveground, the tanks underground will not explode.

Please check you facts before posting.
Click to expand...

You really can't tell me the fire wouldn't go down the lines that run from the pump to the tanks. Those lines are full of gasoline, you know, and oxygen would follow the fire down the lines as well. Besides, those tanks can't possibly be airtight, can they?
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Q: Engine Running
Why is it dangerous to leave your car running?

A: Many people believe this safety warning only applies to older cars. That is not true. A running car presents a number of "ignition sources" for fuel vapor. The exhaust components of a modern car can literally glow red hot during normal operation. The typical ignition system creates voltages above 40,000 volts.

But turning off your engine while refueling isn't just to prevent your car from starting a fire. There is also a safety issue in the event of fire, regardless of the source. In case a fire does occur in a gas station a running car is a danger. Imagine that fire burns through one of the rubber fuel hoses under your running car. Most fuel pumps deliver gasoline at about 15 to 40 pounds per square inch (PSI). Your fuel pump is now spraying a tremendous amount of gasoline at an open flame.
Click to expand...


Wow...that'd be a sight to see
 
When people do that I point the pump at their car and spray them with gas. Then say, oops.
 
Originally posted by: Rock Hydra
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Q: Engine Running
Why is it dangerous to leave your car running?

A: Many people believe this safety warning only applies to older cars. That is not true. A running car presents a number of "ignition sources" for fuel vapor. The exhaust components of a modern car can literally glow red hot during normal operation. The typical ignition system creates voltages above 40,000 volts.

But turning off your engine while refueling isn't just to prevent your car from starting a fire. There is also a safety issue in the event of fire, regardless of the source. In case a fire does occur in a gas station a running car is a danger. Imagine that fire burns through one of the rubber fuel hoses under your running car. Most fuel pumps deliver gasoline at about 15 to 40 pounds per square inch (PSI). Your fuel pump is now spraying a tremendous amount of gasoline at an open flame.
Click to expand...


Wow...that'd be a sight to see
Click to expand...


I say leave it running so if it does catch on fire, you can quickly drive to safety.
 
Originally posted by: Evadman
When people do that I point the pump at their car and spray them with gas. Then say, oops.
Click to expand...

LMAO, too bad you don't live in the same city as 91TTZ or whatever his name is.
 
Originally posted by: KB
Is she going nuts? I have always heard you should turn it off or it could cause a fire.

She says its not necessary. I say its not worth the risk. Being that I am a man I know I am right.. but how right am I? (some don't see the sarcasm in the question... so I will point it out for everyone to see)
Click to expand...
Probably only slightly more risky than electrostatic discharge from a cell phone but IMO not worth the risk. Why wouldn't she turn off the motor? Seems silly. I may be paranoid but when I see some idiot yacking on his/her cell phone while pumping gas I try to leave as soon as I can.

 
I never do and rarely see people doing this. Only saw it once I can rememember, about two weeks ago (go figure). I was going to tell the person but it dawned on me that it might be an urband legend.

Bottom line:
1) Engine is running ... things are moving. There is the potntial for static charge build up. Gas pump is grounded. Why take the risk? Ever gotten a static shock when exiting a vehicle?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top