The warnings at the gas stations always tell you to turn off your engine. But why? What ghastly thing will happen to you if you don't? Will it start a fire or something?
2006-07-12 14:35:36 · 18 answers · asked by thecrazyperson 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
Also, if the static electricity is the main problem here, then if you have to leave your car running, would touching a metal part of the car and the ground, to get rid of the electricity, help? (like they tell you to do if you have to re-enter your car)
2006-07-12 14:42:12 · update #1
It could start a fire if the fumes from the gas being pumped get close enough to a source of ignition, though that is not really a concern today with the new vapor recovery nozzles that almost every gas station uses these days. Some of the other risky things that leaving your vehicle running while you are pumping your fuel are if the shifter is not completely in park it could move and your vehicle could move on it's own running you over or hitting the car behind or in front of you,if a child or a pet is in the vehicle they could hit the shifter by accident and the same problems as described above could happen. Another thing to be concerned about is static electricity between your body and the fuel pump that is why the tell you to touch a metal object like your cars body to discharge any static electricity before you pick up the fuel nozzle because if a spark from static electricity finds any fuel on or in the nozzle a fire will start on you faster than you can react,and THAT WILL DEFINITELY RUIN YOUR DAY QUICKLY
2006-07-12 14:51:53 · answer #1 · answered by hjbergel 5 · 8⤊ 4⤋
It used to be more of a problem before the vapor recovery systems on pumps, but is still a hazard regardless. You displace vapor from the tank while putting liquid gas into it, the gasoline vapors are heavier than air so can accumulate beneath the car. You could also spill some gas too, it does happen. Someone else may spill gas at the next pump. They might spill, but YOUR car was the ignition source. Your engine running has hot exhaust, and catalytic converter, an alternator running, ignition wires, etc which are all an excellent ignition source for those heavier than air vapors.
2006-07-12 18:26:54 · answer #2 · answered by rkfire 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Propaganda sickens me here... you are all quoting your parents and its sad.
1. Spark plugs are sparking INSIDE of a rubber cap. Rubber is an insulator. There is NO chance of the spark getting outside of that or anywhere near the fumes.
2. Gasoline fumes are heavier than air so they can pool under the car, but gas stations are wide open and it won t get high enough to reach the car engine where the spark plugs are anyway
3. You fill the gas tank near the rear of the car, your engine is in the front. You are more likely to start a fire when you start your car or when the guy in front of you starts his car
4. Your ignition system works on sparks as well, so if you start your car, you ll likely have the same issue
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_system
This warning is only meant for run down cars that might have loose or frayed spark plug wires and they just make it a general rule. But its as likely as a meteor crashing into earth.
Feel free to leave your car running and stop believing everything your parents told you.
2016-08-19 02:59:21 · answer #3 · answered by T M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Why do you have to turn off your car while pumping gas?
The warnings at the gas stations always tell you to turn off your engine. But why? What ghastly thing will happen to you if you don't? Will it start a fire or something?
2015-08-10 04:06:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For a car to run it needs spark. The distributor and spark plugs are doing this firing.
To leave a car running will leave a positive charge on the car itself. Touching the gas pump to the car can cause a spark as the gas pump is negitively charged cause it is grounded.
In the blink of an eye a fire ball can be formed by the escaping fumes at the filler hole.
2006-07-12 14:38:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
This is what could happen. There's something in your motor called a spark plug. As a matter of fact, there's a few of them in there. They're basically what ignite your fuel to get the engine going. Do you think it's a smart idea to be having a running engine, which is BURNING FUEL, while FILLING IT WITH MORE FLAMMABLE FUEL? Do you think that your gas station attendant would appreciate having the 10,000 gallon tanks underground ignite and combust into a giant flaming pile of rubble, destroying his work place, and undoubtedly his life, and yours, and everyone who could hear you saying "no, i will not turn off my engine". That's why
2006-07-12 14:45:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 9⤋
Not only chance of fire, leaving the engine running w/ the gas cap off will cause the computer in your car to set an error code due to drop in pressure in the fuel lines. (Service engine soon light comes on).
2006-07-12 14:43:54 · answer #7 · answered by Alowicious 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A fire will start if you don't turn off your engine because when a car is on, the engine produces spark which can ignite gasoline. The spark comes from the spark plugs and etc....
2006-07-12 14:39:53 · answer #8 · answered by A C 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Sparks from your engine could trigger a fire if they happen to connect with any fuel or strong gas fumes...
2006-07-12 14:50:12 · answer #9 · answered by joshandasway 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
if you don't shut off the engine while you're pumping gasoline, the car will explode.
2006-07-12 15:09:21 · answer #10 · answered by nobodyd 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋