Everyone knows this, and yet nobody actually switches off their engines. But why should they? What could possibly happen?
2006-11-23 00:09:29 · 11 answers · asked by espers_cypher 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
Yeah, but despite the hazards, why haven't we heard of any cases of cars going kaboom? Is it a very small chance, like, 0.0087% (of blowing up)? Has it been blown out of proportion? Handphones seem more dangerous to me (they *can* cook an egg, at least), but nobody's bothering to limit their use, either.
2006-11-23 01:04:18 · update #1
Tankie with gassie could go BOOOM!
Seriously--your car has electrical components that spark when the engine is on and it could interact with the gasoline fumes and KABLAM!
You're not supposed to be smoking or have your cell phone ON, either (there's been stories)....and...during "static electricity season" I think I remember being told to shock myself before I pump gas.
2006-11-23 00:13:13 · answer #1 · answered by Munya Says: DUH! 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Newer vehicles have a sensor that monitors the engine's pollutions controls. Part of this system is the "Evaporative Emissions" portion of you fuel system. There is a gasket seal on the gas fill cap that keeps fuel vapor contained within the operating system. Vapors are condensed and burned in the engine to control the pollution from the unburned fuel vapors. IF you fill your car with the engine ON the computer senses a leak in this vapor recovery system and usually will set a "Check Engine light" on the dashboard. You will then have to have a technician put the engine scanner on the engine and shut off the light.
I recently had this happen on my 1996 JImmy. Filled with engine OFF but, wife did not get the cap tight and the light came on within 3 miles on way home.
2006-11-23 09:51:09 · answer #2 · answered by Mark in NE Indiana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Static Electricity. Cars are based on AMPS and Pumps are based on Volts. Cars are Alternating Current while Gas Pumps are Dead Current. The Pumps are Grounded to hold the charge or Voltage. Alternating Current travels and has no saftey hold. When the 2 connect they ARC or Short. This causes Combustion of the Fuel Vapor in the Pump Line and the Gas Tank on the Car. Shutting off the Car breaks its Alternating Current.Thus, no Static Electricity. Herbert West III http://www.wen2k.com/tell.php?Id=804 www.west.herb@yahoo.com
2006-11-23 08:23:21 · answer #3 · answered by west.herb@yahoo.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gasoline vapors are very flammable and don't need much encouragement to ignite. That's why you're not supposed to smoke, but I've seen people do that too.
All gasoline vapor needs is one spark to go off. These signs are precautionary. You don't often see smoldering craters where gas stations used to be, but that doesn't change the possibility that it could happen at any time.
When I ran gas stations, I shut off the pumps if the vehicle was on or if the person was smoking. I didn't want to go out that way.
2006-11-23 09:48:23 · answer #4 · answered by DA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is more likely to catch fire with engine running.Some cars also get vapor locked when filling up with car running
2006-11-24 14:43:12 · answer #5 · answered by Billy T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat from the tail pipe and the possibility of sparks from electrical system just to name a coupleof things.
2006-11-23 08:20:38 · answer #6 · answered by norsmen 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because the workers in gasoline stations hate noise! (Joking)
2006-11-23 10:31:11 · answer #7 · answered by Dardanus 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we always turn our engines off ,here in the UK
2006-11-23 08:19:38 · answer #8 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
many cars have gone BOOM AT GAS STATION be safe
2006-11-23 10:09:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sparks, exhaust heat, static = FIRE
2006-11-23 08:14:13 · answer #10 · answered by DASH 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋