Is it really dangerous to fill your car's gas tank with the engine still on?

Nate

Nope...and Yeah.
Depends on how much static electricity you have stored up, gas fumes in the air.
Electricity=spark
Electricity+gas fumes=bad news for gas station

Agnostic Canadian

yep

Bob B

These days, not really.

Most fuel pumps are inside the gas tanks nowadays (guess why!) and other electrical systems are well shielded. It used to be an issue when an accidental overflow and unfortunate spark might result in a deadly combination.

However, it's best to learn and practice smart habits. You never know when you might be filling up that old car, lawn mower or go-kart where sparks might be present.

John Paul

And modern cars think! when the engine is running the fuel tank should not rise and sender voltage to change to full will cause a "check engine light" Fuel Level Sensor Out of Range. And that's not all folks! Would you want to risk the kids sitting in air conditioned or heated comfort while you burn down the car. Fumes from Gasoline will ignite at -40 degrees and higher. Just one bad plug wire and it does not have to be your car the car that pulls in next to you could do it static spark any spark.

whodad

ever lite a cherry bomb while holding it in your teeth? ever try taking a t- bone from Mrs. Murphys pit bull if u had tried you wouldn't be writing such drivel

namkciub

isnt it illegal to pump gas with the engine running?

purplme45

toddos1

It's not hugely dangerous, but it's not all that smart either. While the gas does not flow directly from the pump into the running engine, you do have a running *COMBUSTION* engine near an area that has a very high chance of having gasoline vapor in the air.

Are you really so pressed for time that you can't turn off your engine before you fill up and turn it back on when you're done? Do those extra 10 seconds really matter?

ANU

its reallly Dangerous,,, it could brust...........

karl

Actually, no. But there's a possibility that something could go wrong. It's a precautionary measure against an accident and you suing them for not telling you in the even something DID happen.

lmora@prodigy.net

I do it all the time, nothing has ever happened, so I guess not.

judith11center

static electricity could cause an explosion

lalagag

yes because the fuel pump wont be able to pump any gas into the engine and that could ruin ur engine if its done too much. but it wont hurt you. itll just hurt your bills lol

saulg21

Yes, a spark from the electrical system with all those fumes will ignite the gas in your tank and cause an explosion. Also , don't use your cell phone while you gas up. Same effect.

Canuck Guy

In my opinion no. If the engine has not been under severe load for a minute or so before filling up the chances of hot carbon from the exhaust is remote if the exhaust system has no leaks. You need a source of ignition such as heat to ignite gasoline. Furthermore the exhaust gasses do not contain oxygen and therefore combustion around the exhaust gas is also remote. Some welders used to run exhaust into fuel tanks for several minutes to evacuate all oxygen in the tank to safely weld it.
Other risks such as kids or pets putting the car into gear by accident should be considered.

thatwench

I remember in the olden days, the station's pump jockey would fill the tank while he was smoking a cigarette.

I've gassed up my hot rod with the engine running, and haven't blown up, yet.

Makes life exciting!

Mariposa

Yes due to static electricity. There have been some people who have even been caught on fire at the pumps due to entering and exxiting their car frequantly while filling up.

Joe M

No, your more dangerous! If your wearing the wrong clothes , and your charged up with static and fill the car yourself, it could blow regardless if the engines running or not

Jay

Yes, very.

Also, on newer cars it will screw up the EGR system and make the "service" light come on.

Geo

No, there is no reason you need to turn off the vehicle to refuel. It is a waste of time and your money because the fuel consumed upon restarting the engine is more than would be used while idling. A bad plug wire would not cause an explosion either because the fumes are near the rear of the car and the wires are up front. If a plug wire were bad the closest object it could reach if it were to arc out is either the engine or the exhaust, and either of those is grounded. It is not an issue of fire safety, they just don't want you to fill and run/accidentally leaving it in gear and hitting someone else.

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