Any body leave engine running while refeuling?

[Tony C.]

Gasing up at the self help gas station today, notice about half the vehicles with engine runnig while at the pump fueling, perhaps its a cold day and drivers like to keep their cars warm, also notice some drivers would keep engine runnig on a hot day so the AC keep the inside cool.

I always turn engine off while at the pump but do notice lots of younger drivers don't seems to care, especially when they have passengers inside, with todays car, chance of back fire and causing a fire is pretty slim, so, do you turn off the ignition while refueling? Or am I just too old fashion?

 

[labworm]

I don't, as I said to someone one day at the pumps.

I know I am going to die, but I hope not by burning to death.

 

[Kinman]

I think its a matter of safety and by shutting off the engine and removing the key from the ignition you are doing the safe thing. I never leave my car running, not even to warm up in the morning like so many people do, whenever people have their car stolen and left the keys in the ignition I have no sympathy for their stupidity. Locally the latest car theft is taking place in front of daycare centers, busy moms leave the car running with their purse in the car and carry or lead the child into the day care...the thiefs figured this out and wait outside and probably hold the door for her as she goes in then go get in the car and take off...Stupid you can't fix that.
I had never known anybody that had a battery explode, I got careless while working on a car once, had the caps off the battery checking levels, the engine was running a high idle and I noticed a miss, I started pulling plug wires to find out which cylinder was missing and found it and layed the spark plug wire across the hood strap, it dangled there briefly then slid off and touched near the battery, I remember thinking "Oops" there was a big bang and I had a face full of battery acid, luckily I was home and got into the shower, clothes and all suffering no harm other than my ego.
Sometimes its just best to play it safe any way you can.

 

[bp231986]

Not often but i have done it.

 

[therevjay]

No never. It's true the chance of a fire is slim, but why take the chance?

 

[The Tourist]

I don't think it's even necessary now. In fact, I don't think you even have to let modern diesels run.

 

[ThirtyAcres]

The "check engine" light is so sensitive on my truck that taking off the gas cap with the engine running is a surefire way to make the light come on.

 

[frdfandc]

Never. This can cause a Check Engine Light to come on. Which will cost your more than your tank of gas to get it cleared.

 

[Onomea]

Never occurred to me not to turn off the engine when refueling. Just the way I have always done it. I have a firmly entrenched conviction that it is dangerous to leave the car running when refueling, but I am not sure why I think so.... Probably something my father taught me when I was a boy.

 

[jag312]

I worked in a gas station when I was in college, and I was told that the station could get fined for refueling a car with the engine running.

 

[Duke426]

Nope. Why burn more gas than necessary just idling it away?

I did know a guy who would smoke while fueling his car. I was always amazed he didn't blow himself to kingdom come.

 

[Wingmaster]

I guess I don't understand.
What is going to cause a fire? If the engine backfires it will come from the back. Thats where the exhaust exits the vehicle. I put gas in my pickup on the side about 6 feet from the back.
I guess I can see a static spark, but that could happen weather or not the engine is running.
Am I missing something?
I usually leave mine running.

Wingmaster

 

[LVSteve]

I never leave a car running when refueling. When I refuel the car is shut off and the keys removed. If I cannot pay at the pump, it is locked before I walk away unless I have a passenger. In fact, when I worked at a gas station as a kid we were told to kill the pump of anybody we saw doing it.

This leaving keys in things or just dumping them onto the nearest flat surface when you get home baffles me. Maybe it is because I have lived places where you need keys to get out. Keys control your first line of defence, the doors. You don't leave them anywhere.

 

[feralmerril]

I was working a heliport at a forest fire. I looked over and seen a pilot gassing his copter while it was running. Unbelivebly he was lighting his cigar on the exaust that was popping fire out of it while he was pouring gas out of a jerry can. I was already running for a fire exstinguisher when he lit up the area. He threw the exploded jerry can on the ground under the copter and there was fire all around the copter. Unbelivably I and another guy had it out in secounds and saved the copter. He wasnt burned, just embarassed. This was i960 in sequoia national park and I think the copter was a bell G-2 or a hillar.

 

[4011]

NSRA has a page in our monthly mag about this sort of behavior. Static electricity is the biggest hazard. Shell oil reported on 150 accidental pump fires. The fumes from filling the tank can go up in just a flash most times in your face. Cell phone is next. Most victims were ladies who had gotten back into the car to stay warm are whatever. Exiting the car you charge you clothing again with static electricity. You should hold the metal of the door on exit to loose the static charge.

 

[Bello]

Always leave my car on here in jersey can't pump your own gas; I know right!

 

[blujax01]

Mythbusters totally debunked the cell phone thing.

 

[moosedog]

Here in Michigan, most gas staions have signs on the pump saying not to leave the motor running. So I don't.
I also have a very sensitive engine senor light that is effected easily on my van.

 

[gregintenn]

I sometimes leave mine running. Never had a problem. I've also nevere seen another car burst into flames while refueling.

 

[Stevens]

I always turn the car off and put the keys in my pocket.
I was visiting a friend during the power outage from Hurricane Katrina. He was pouring gas into the tank of his generator with it running! When I asked if he was crazy he told me he does it all the time..
Steve W