Why can't you fill your tank when the engine's on?
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Why can't you fill your tank when the engine's on?
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Everyone knows this, and yet nobody actually switches off their engines. But why should they? What could possibly happen?
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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.
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Munya Says: DUH!
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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. |
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dumplingmuffin
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we always turn our engines off ,here in the UK |
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DA
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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. |
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west.herb@yahoo.com
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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 |
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Mark in NE Indiana
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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. |
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Billy T
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It is more likely to catch fire with engine running.Some cars also get vapor locked when filling up with car running |
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DASH
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sparks, exhaust heat, static = FIRE |
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NEMO
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many cars have gone BOOM AT GAS STATION be safe |
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Dardanus
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Because the workers in gasoline stations hate noise! (Joking) |
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Ryan1313
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you can but you will waste it |
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norsmen
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Heat from the tail pipe and the possibility of sparks from electrical system just to name a coupleof things. |
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