Is it really true that you shouldn't use your cell phones at a gas staton while pumping gas?

chocolahoma

Visit the "Mythbusters" website.

They investigated cell phone use at gas stations, and could not cause a cell phone to spark in a way that could cause a fire. They tried experiments with a cellphone sealed in a box with gas vapors, no dice.

You are more likely to cause an explosion by discharging static electricity. It can build up on your body as you rub against the seats, and then discharge when you touch the metal handle of the pump. If gas vapors are present... fwoom.

Most states have regulations against using cell phones at gas pumps, but there is little evidence of any fires starting from phones. More lkely static discharge while holding the (completely innocent) phone...

Fairy*Blue*Eri

yes, its true

sir confused

you can get yelled at for it, but the show "mythbusters" busted that one completely

skcs69

It is recommended not to.

Dee Dee Dee

i heard that it builds electricity but mythbusters proved it false

IMHO

Yes. But they showed this on mythbusters & it proved to be a myth. But it is posted at most pumps to turn off your cell phones.

ething8

no give me one good reason

Paca

Gas fumes are highly flammable, electronic devices have been known to cause arcs and sparks.

Brandon K

Yes. The possibility of static can cause the gasoline to ignite and catch on fire. You are also supposed to touch your car or ground yourself after stepping out of your car due to the static charge. That is why they advise you not to get back into your car when you are fueling up because you will slide across the seat and not touch something to let the static charge out before putting the nozzle back on the pump.

Anthony M

no it is ok. The dangerous thing that many people do at gas stations is get back in the car while the gas is being pumped. NEVER do this. You create large amounts of static electricity. You must touch you hand to the metal part of the car BEFORE grabbing the gas nozzle again. Otherwise, the static spark will happen near your hand and the nozzle and the open refuel opening.

BOOM

that is what the warnings posted on some pumps i have seen say. i think it has something to do with the fact that a spark can be created somehow by the cell phone, triggering a fire since there is gas involved.

bluff mike

Yes.

Diggs

Mythbusters proved that to be false.

--c'est la vie--

yes it is true...

days ago in my area, two boys just dead because they are using their cell phones near the gas station.

the radioactiveman

NO see myth busters on discovery Chanel. the disproved that one.
Just dont get in and out of your car, that can cause a static build up, and BOOM your toast. also you could get off the phone for the whole 3 mins it takes to fill your gas tank. GET OFF THE PHONE AND DRIVE!

CARLOS

Yeah its true. and u also have to leave your car off. and touch anything metallic before pumping, just to be sure u don't any static electricity in u.

sumrtanman

You should'nt use a cell phone anywhere. If you need to call someone go to a pay phone,or wait until you get home to call. Cell phone users make me want to puke!!!

??=!!

probably- anything can happen!

useless_knowledge

It is true that very old cell phones should not be used because the static charge could possibly maybe cause a spark. Most gas stations these days have signs asking you to not use cell phones while pumping gas. I owned a station for some time and subsequently learned this bit of info.
P.S. you can discharge the static charge from your car after you pump gas: tap the nozzle inside the tank opening a few times.

Nette

Yes it is true. Most pumps now have the no cell phone sign and a lot of cell phone companies also warn about this.

BuddyL

The whole problem here is that talking on the cell phone distracts you from keeping your eye on the pump and the station's faulty hose handle with a broken shut-off. So you get to talking, your tank overflows and leaves a huge puddle of gas. Then when you drive off, you leave a trail of gas from that puddle, out to the street where somebody tosses a cigarette. It'll look like the burning fuse shown on the old Mission:Impossible TV show, and not only will it nuke the gas station, but they'll get sued by Peter Graves for copyright infringement. So play it safe and don't talk on the phone. Watch the babe at the next pump instead!

socialwork2010

You should NOT use your cell phone while pumping gas at the gas station. The reason is static electricity. Other static dangers are getting back in your vehicle after pumping gas (especially in the winter), because when it is dry outside and you rub your clothing against the cloth on the seat you are building up a static charge. On the chance you should carry that charge back to the pump with you and spark at the right time when you touch the pump....BOOM!! The chances are slim, but why risk it, right?? Red gasoline containers have to be on the ground when you fill them and, yes, you should turn your engine off while pumping gas!

Yes it is

Paul S.

This question was answered on Mythbusters in their second episode of season one. The conclusion was that "A properly-working cell phone poses almost no danger of igniting gasoline, even when surrounded by gasoline vapor with the optimum fuel-air mix for ignition. The actual risk comes from an electrostatic discharge between a charged driver and the car, often a result of continually getting into and out of the vehicle."

In other words your cell phone would have to be sparking while in the optimimum fuel-air mix which only would happen if there was gasoline all over or if you were in an enclosed space. It's not going to happen unless you really try hard.

Aaron T

YES! i saw a guy catch on fire once on tv..

seblexie

Yes for all the same reason that you need to shut the engine down. The cell phone can make static electricity.

ally

your head could explode...
so dont use thme =D

Sheridan F

NO ...No it isn't. That is an idiotic myth.
(watch Mythbusters ..LOL)

susycal03

YES THATS TRUE

Information Police

That's what they say, but I've never heard of someone blowing up because of a spark from their cell phone.

MR.B

YES,WITH STATIC ELECTRICITY YOU COULD EXPLODE

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