Petrol station visit

[Sivi70980]

I never discharge static electricity, not in the habit. And I've left the pump unattended more than a few times to buy snacks too. But like I said earlier, car always turned off lol

Sponsored

 

[Zooks527]

I also left it running & locked while I got my 7-11 coffee.

Ticketable offense in some places.

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.

Partially correct but grossly misleading. Yes, gasoline isn't a "combustible" liquid, as it is too volatile and is therefore a "flammable" liquid. Per the NFPA, gasoline is a Class 1B Flammable Liquid (flashpoint below 73F with a boiling point above 100F). Combustible liquids (Class 2) have flash points above 100F and are less flammable than gasoline. Per your use above ("It's the vapors that combust"), the only things that would likely be considered "flammable" are pyrophoric liquids.

This ignores the fact that in an injected engine, you have a fine gasoline mist (minute droplets of gasoline surrounded by oxygen in the air) burning without having to fully vaporize first. As a final note, try dropping a match into a drum of gasoline with air blowing across the surface to provide oxygen for combustion and then see if "the match will go out".

 

[GMB Racing]

The laws requiring that engines be shut off while fueling were passed many years ago in a time when ignition systems weren't as reliable and durable as they are now. They were in response to that rare situation when fumes from fueling a vehicle could be ignited by such an ignition source. While a rare occurrence, it did happen.

I've seen the results of such a fire, caused by the faulty ignition wires on one vehicle that was running setting off the fumes from an adjacent vehicle that was being fueled. Had the one driver shut their engine off, the ignition source wouldn't have been present.

 

[w3rkn]

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...?

NO, it is 100% illegal and you should say something to them. Most likely a new driver who doesn't know or care about others. So again, kindly remind them it is the law... and they can be fined.

 

[NoVaGT]

NO, it is 100% illegal and you should say something to them. Most likely a new driver who doesn't know or carte about others. So again, kindly remind them it is the law... and they can be fined.

LOL!!!

It's Michigan law.....there's 49 other states in this Union.

 

[w3rkn]

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.

Dude, read the Pump.
It tells you to turn off you engine (& no smoking), because it is law. You don't get the choice... or to determine if your car is warmed up. The law doesn't care that your a priss and need to sit in your running car while you pump. The law isn't for you, it for all the people around you. In 35 years of driving, not once have I filled up while running.

You don't get to personally determine how safe it is for other people, period!

 

[w3rkn]

LOL!!!

It's Michigan law.....there's 49 other states in this Union.

Gasoline and pumps are under FEDERAL LAW...

 

[Sivi70980]

What about F1 and other race cars that get fuel while running presumably much hotter than our street legal cars? Again, I'm the guy who always turns his car off but curious and maybe "fueling" the debate lol.....oh early mornings are fun....

 

[RIBS]

What about F1 and other race cars that get fuel while running presumably much hotter than our street legal cars? Again, I'm the guy who always turns his car off but curious and maybe "fueling" the debate lol.....oh early mornings are fun....

They don't use "GAS", if you watch closely those types of race cars usually get a spray of water at the end of fueling to break up and disperse leaked fuel to a dilution that cant burn,,,that race fuel can be easily put out with water dilution....

 

[Zooks527]

What about F1 and other race cars that get fuel while running presumably much hotter than our street legal cars?

You mean those refueling situations that have at least one guy standing around with an extinguisher?

The first one of these is pretty bad, considering that the guy fueling the car ends up on fire.

 

[Zooks527]

They don't use "GAS"

Actually, F1 does use gasoline.

American open-wheel racing tends to use alcohol, though. You can't always see an alcohol fire, and you may not notice something like your hand being on fire until the hair starts to burn (speaking from personal experience here, although in a lab context, not a track one).

 

[Lightning Struck]

I shut off the mustang, but leave my Powerstroke running. Diesel fuel has a much much much higher flash point.

 

[NoVaGT]

Gasoline and pumps are under FEDERAL LAW...

If you know of such a Federal Law, please post it. I've done a cursory Google check, and it's state-by-state.

 

[CB18]

When any of you guys want to flick matches at a barrel full of gasoline, post up when. I want to grab the binoculars and come watch.

 

[Lightning Struck]

Gasoline's flash point is -45*F, compared to 126*F for diesel fuel.. So as long as you're in Antarctica when you flick that match into that drum, you'll be fine.

Sponsored