Petrol station visit

[ivantwilliams]

Over the past few months, I have been to the petrol station with my 2018 Mustang GT PP.
During my time there, I often notice people that do NOT turn off their engines, while filling their car with petrol.

Is this now a thing, or...?

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[MikeHTally]

I've only done that when I was concerned it might not start. Lately I've not noticed anyone leaving the engine running during refuel.

 

[frank s]

Over the past few months, I have been to the petrol station with my 2018 Mustang GT PP.
During my time there, I often notice people that do NOT turn off their engines, while filling their car with petrol.

Is this now a thing, or...?

Recalling the oppressive heat and humidity not uncommon in that part of the world, I woder if a little preventive climate manipulating is going on.

 

[Ghost50]

99% of the time I shut it off.

If my gf happens to be with me sometimes I’ll leave it running so the air stays on. It’s hot here.

 

[FruityJudy]

I never turn off

 

[TehEno]

Leaving the car on at the petrol station is unheard of here.

 

[TheReaper]

I never fuel a vehicle while it's running.

 

[NoVaGT]

I leave mine running unless it's completely warmed-up. Usually when getting gas, the engine was just started a few minutes prior, so I'm not shutting it off while it's warming up. Plus I want the car warmed up when I get going.

I did exactly that this morning. I also left it running & locked while I got my 7-11 coffee.

I've done this for 33 years, never had a problem. Not sure what folks think is going to happen, or why it shouldn't be done.

 

[DickR]

I've been refueling my cars since the 1960's and have never left the engine running while fueling. Either my Dad taught me this and/or there were signs which said to turn off the engine. Plus I wasn't inclined to leave the keys in the car while going to pay for the gas in the many years prior to current technology for paying at the pump or remote controls.

I have no idea whether or not there was or is any real fire/explosion danger. I'm just not comfortable with refueling with the engine running or with leaving the car with the engine running to make a pit stop, etc. even if the car is locked. A few minutes without A/C for grownups is no big deal at those few stations without canopies over the pumps. :-)

 

[Todd00000]

I never turn off

Why?

 

[IronG]

To me it would be common sense to turn off your car while filling it with a highly combustible liquid. I can say that I think it is safer today with modern fueling stations and cars filling ports, but gasoline is still highly flammable. Keep in mind it is not just you that could be in danger if an accident were to occur because you did not turn off your car.

 

[HaleFire]

I haven't done the research or anything, but are there any instances of fire or explosion due directly to a vehicle idling during fueling? Honestly, I've never heard of it. I still turn off my vehicle, mostly out of habit I suppose. Everyone I see around here does the same.

I sometimes fill diesel while the engine is running but diesel fuel is so much harder to ignite that I never gave it a second thought.

 

[NoVaGT]

To me it would be common sense to turn off your car while filling it with a highly combustible liquid. I can say that I think it is safer today with modern fueling stations and cars filling ports, but gasoline is still highly flammable. Keep in mind it is not just you that could be in danger if an accident were to occur because you did not turn off your car.

Being factual, gasoline isn't a combustible liquid. You can toss a match into a 55 gallon drum of gas, and it will just go out. It's the vapors that combust.

With modern gasoline pumps and evaporative fuel systems on vehicles, it's pretty safe.

 

[samd1351]

I've always shut my car down when filling up. I did manage one time to fill up, on Saturday, heading into work for some overtime. For some reason, I was in an extremely happy mood. I was so excited after filling up, I jumped into my little GMC and took off. Only problem was, the pump handle was still in the filler neck! Pulled the handle and hose right off the pump. Drove back into the lot and walked in with my head hung low in shame and told the clerk. She said just to roll it up out front, happens all the time.

Als saw someone smoking at the pump while filling up. Now, there's PROBABLY not a danger in leaving the car running while filling up, but SMOKING at the pump is just idiotic. Dude just gets out the p.o.s. he was driving fires up coffin nail and starts pumping gas. Darwin award waiting to happen.

 

[Silver Bullitt]

The bigger issue to me is people getting back in and out of their vehicles while fueling, usually when it's cold and the air is dry increasing the chance of static electricity.

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