Is this an urban myth?
2007-02-20 15:50:08 · 14 answers · asked by califrniateach 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
NO, it's not a myth. You could end up dying.
When you get in and out of your car, your body builds up static electricity. If it isn't discharged when you go to take the pump out of your tank, you could cause a spark and you, the car, and the pump could go....BOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!!!!
2007-02-20 15:54:23 · answer #1 · answered by Lemar J 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
You are not supposed to get back in your car because the static charge that you pick up from your seats can be carried with you back to the pump handle, ignite a spark and the whole station can do up in flames.
This is not an urban myth! There are signs posted all over the gas stations telling you not to do this. There have been news stories and footage on it and it's very dangerous and deadly!
If you must go back into your car for any reason, please make sure to tap the outside of your car (or any other metal piece away from the pump) to discharge the static charge.
Be safe! :)
2007-02-20 23:59:11 · answer #2 · answered by 100% Woman, yes indeed! 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its perfectly true. although it true to say tha pterol pumps are surrounded with lots of saftey equipment to eliminate dangers, it is possible to cause a spark by getting back into your car because the friction of the car through the air and the tires etc cause a build up (a bit like rubbing a balloon on your clothes and using the statci charge produced to make your hair ctsnad on end. if you jump back into the car you then become statically charged to whatever the car is at and the 'potential diference' or 'voltage' you are then carrying will immediately discharge through the next metal thing you touch, usually the pump handle, it is unlikely and rare that enough static would do this with all the safety earth bonding on pumps etc.. but the fact that it is possible is reason enough alone to be aware.
2007-02-21 01:44:08 · answer #3 · answered by fast eddie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1) The nozzle would be dispensing gasoline unattended.
2 Static electricity.
3) You can't shut the pump off in an emergency.
4) If gasoline vapors ignited and you are in the car, guess who would become toast?
5) the tank may fill and not kick off the release dumping fuel on to the ground.
2007-02-21 14:19:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats an old myth. They said that because they thought static electricity from moving or touching the car would ignite the gas fumes, but its not true. They tested it on myth busters.
2007-02-20 23:55:17 · answer #5 · answered by ALLAMERICAN 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
think about what you just asked,what if the handle sticks and doesn't kick off like it should,how much fuel are you going to dump on the ground,and how dangerous is this going to be to you and everyone around you,its just one of those things that you never do ,no matter what,gas explodes real easy,if you want to gamble with your life then go right ahead,but you may blow your self up,and someone else also,good luck,i hope this help,s.
2007-02-20 23:57:59 · answer #6 · answered by dodge man 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Its not a big deal as long as you discharge the electric charge before you touch anything...Touch something grounded like the car or something and youll be fine but its rare that this happens....
2007-02-20 23:59:05 · answer #7 · answered by veruca100469 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its true. i dont know the scientifics involved (something about the static electricity). anyway there was something on the news last year about a guy that died after his car went up in flames from something like that happening
2007-02-20 23:58:04 · answer #8 · answered by lily 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no, if you only wanted to put in $10, you might be so comfortable in your car, you might end up filling up the whole tank!
2007-02-21 11:53:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could blow up from the static but I say to hell with it especially on cold days. You don't see it happen often enough to scare me.
2007-02-20 23:58:34 · answer #10 · answered by mypassions4life 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋