Do people actually keep a gallon of gas in their car in case of running out of gas? What happens if car gets rear ended? Does car explode?
2006-12-23 01:26:31 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Personnally, I would NOT do it. Gas goes bad in 30-45 days, fumes from gas can smell up your car (brain damage?) and if there was a problem with a leak or accident, do you want to add gas to the problem? Gas can ignite if too hot and under pressure in a trunk.
Follow gas guage, if worried fill up more often. There are usually gas stations around.
I think Military has a special formula of gas for emergencies, does not go bad, but cost like $15 a gal.
2006-12-23 04:09:17 · answer #1 · answered by M B 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Keeping a gallon of gas in the trunk is dangerous, as you can't seal the can enough to prevent a leak. The vapors can collect inside the trunk and ignite with just a spark. Not to mention the smell.
The best bet is to keep the tank at least half-full, and you're not likely to run out of gas; but an empty can stored there is fine. Impact alone won't cause a car to explode unless a fuel line is severed or the tank ruptures and an ignition source is there.
2006-12-23 14:15:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Unless it's in the trunk of a Pinto, Yes.
But, in the case of a being rear-ended, it might be safer on the back floor.
Some do.
Some have crappy gas gauges or a a leak in the upper area of the tank which makes it leak if you put more than a few gallons and can't afford to get them fixed.
Others have a long way to go between gas stations (a station had closed, and my local travels did not take always take me near the closest gas station 35 miles away before I was near running out.
It depends on how hard it is rear-ended.
Explosion is unlikely. It would take a while for the gasoline to evaporate to get the correct fuel-air mixture for an explosion.
2006-12-23 01:48:03 · answer #3 · answered by Jon W 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A few facts to get started with:
1. Liquid gasoline is not flammable or explosive, gas vapors (evaporated gasoline) are.
2. Gasoline vapors are explosive.
3. Gasoline in general is toxic and will damage some materials.
I would recommend against carrying a full can of gasoline anywhere in your car on a daily basis. It is not likely to explode in a crash, but it is likely to start leaking in a significant crash, which will give any emergency personnel one more danger to worry about in what is already likely to be a very tense situation. And if there are any electrical shorts or anything burning it could light or explode.
A more significant reason not to carry a full gas can, in my opinion, is that it may open a bit as the can shifts and bumps around while you drive (or it may leak just from the pressure caused my the temperature changing, or from not being tightened quite enough), which is likely to cause a buildup of gas vapors inside the car. These vapors are toxic, noxious, and explosive, and any little spark can set them off (anything from smoking to an electric circuit in your car, like turning on or running the blower motor to heat or cool the inside of the car, or vent out the fumes. Just on a day to day basis it isn't a good idea to carry a can of gas in your car. The least dangerous way to do it if you absolutely have to is strapped down on a roof rack or on a rack like some military and off-roading vehicles have specifically for that purpose, but you still may have to deal with the can leaking, and that can be dangerous, as well as the gas eating whatever paint it touches (it will bubble the paint up and get to bare metal quickly, I saw it happen on a neighbor's Harley. He had to repaint the tank. In short, don't do it unless you absolutely have to, and if you do, be careful. I hope this helps.
2006-12-23 02:27:22 · answer #4 · answered by Jonathan R 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure it would be fine as long as there's a airtight cap. Make sure that there isn't any gas fumes sifting through the air and that none of the gas spills out and it would be fine.
However, I would be a little careful. Asking people for tips on your health or safety on "Yahoo! Answers" isn't the wisest idea, as people do make mistakes and could give you the wrong advice.
Take a few extra steps of precaution. I suggest you securely fasten it down with a bungee cord for 2 reasons: 1. So the gas tank isn't rattling around, causing a spontaneous explosion, and 2. So none of the gas will find it's way out of the container.
If you were planning on doing this but weren't sure and wanted some advice, than good for you, that was very smart. I hope for the best. More than likely you will be fine.
2006-12-23 01:46:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's as safe or safer than the gas tank under your trunk. The plastic containers are more flexible than the mettle gas tank under your car; just fill it 3/4 of the way. I recommend you strap it in so it doesn't bounce around to loosen the cap. Check on it once and a while.
I think it's a good idea. A gas gauge can crap out like anything else, and guess what, it can crap out when you're out of gas while it tells you that you have a 1/4 left in there.
Fuel doesn't explode on impact; your bumper and car frame will protect your gallon of gas in the trunk as well as the gas tank under the car.
Bottom line: go for it!
2006-12-23 01:42:46 · answer #6 · answered by curly bob 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Don't keep any gas in the trunk of you car.
It's just not a safe thing to do.
You have fuel gage on your dash just watch it a little closer.
Don't run the tank low.
It isn't really highly accurate but there is several gallons left in the tank when it reads empty. Just don't drive around looking for a station. Fill up before it gets that far down.
2006-12-23 01:40:55 · answer #7 · answered by Floyd B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Keeping a container of anything volitile in your trunk is never a safe thing to do, however, just a little fact about gasoline, a near empty tank is more likely to explode on impact than a full tank for the simple reason of there is less room for compression in a full tank. paws
2006-12-23 01:39:12 · answer #8 · answered by paws 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no its not safe, gas in liquid form will go bad,vapor will explode very easy, with temp container will burst or bleed out pressurized vapor (vapor smells very bad).
car does have a better channce of cathing fire than exploding when rear ended.
most people dont keep it in trunk.
2006-12-23 01:37:48 · answer #9 · answered by hazegrey 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes some people are stupid to! it is not safe to keep gas in the trunk of a car and if people let thier gas tank get down past the empty mark they deserve to run out of gas
2006-12-23 01:33:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋