Engine running while filling up…?

[iMORT3rnAL]

I’ve read a lot of threads regarding this, some say they do it all the time and that the static generated from climbing out of the vehicle is more dangerous. Others think it’s just suicidal and will get quite aggravated if they see you doing it, what do you think?

Personally I switch off my engine, but that's only out of habit, I’ve left it running before and I can assure you that I wasn’t blown to bits... not yet any way

 

[Jola]

... not yet anyway...)

There is a higher risk - why take the chance ?

You are just wasting fuel, anyway !

 

[Johan449]

There is a higher risk - why take the chance ?

You are just wasting fuel, anyway !

Agree

Besides they have warning at each pump telling you to switch of your engine.
Take it up with the petrol station manager so that he can tell his workers to refuse to fill up a car unless it is switched of.

Tel him you will report him for not following safety regulations or something like that.

Most probably he will just laugh you of though....

I get even more worked up when people smoke near your car while you fill up though.

Much bigger risk there.

 

[Voicy]

Agree

Besides they have warning at each pump telling you to switch of your engine.
Take it up with the petrol station manager so that he can tell his workers to refuse to fill up a car unless it is switched of.

Tel him you will report him for not following safety regulations or something like that.

Most probably he will just laugh you of though....

I get even more worked up when people smoke near your car while you fill up though.

Much bigger risk there.

In contrast to Hollywood propaganda, a cigarette cannot ignite petrol, but having said that, a petrol jockey got pissed at me when I used water to put out a cigarette lying on the pavement next to my car. Fsck him.

I also don't see how static causes an issue. The moment you touch the pumps you should discharge anyway.

 

[Johan449]

In contrast to Hollywood propaganda, a cigarette cannot ignite petrol, but having said that, a petrol jockey got pissed at me when I used water to put out a cigarette lying on the pavement next to my car. Fsck him.

I also don't see how static causes an issue. The moment you touch the pumps you should discharge anyway.

Come to think of it I remember something on Mythbusters on this. They tried and tried and could not ignite the petrol with a cigarette.

With regards to the static electricity:

There have been explosions in the USA before due to the static. So it does actually happen sometimes. Although the odds are very low.

PS. We have to remember that in the US people fill up their own car and they tend to get in and out of the car during fill ups and then touching the pump handle which then causes sparks right at the petrol fumes.

 

[iMORT3rnAL]

Please don't understand me the wrong way, I'm not one for leaving the engine running, in all my years of driving I've only done it twice and only because I was in a major hurry. I would actually just like to know if there are people here that do it and why…

 

[Tacet]

A friend and I once received free lighters at a traffic light. We fooled around with these while filling up - simply not registering what we're doing. Until one of the lighters managed to create a VERY impressive flame...

One of the blondest moments of my life.

I switch off. Always.

 

[bwana]

I used to but a valve recently went on my car and as a result petrol pumps out of the filler cap if it's opened when the car is running. (Valve is being replaced on Monday)

PS. We have to remember that in the US people fill up their own car and they tend to get in and out of the car during fill ups and then touching the pump handle which then causes sparks right at the petrol fumes.

You also have to remember that the petrol pump nozzles there control any vapour by vacuum.

 

[Palimino]

With regards to the static electricity:

There have been explosions in the USA before due to the static. So it does actually happen sometimes. Although the odds are very low.

PS. We have to remember that in the US people fill up their own car and they tend to get in and out of the car during fill ups and then touching the pump handle which then causes sparks right at the petrol fumes.

Yes. When you refuel a (sport) aeroplane for example, there is a (grounded) special lead with a crocodile clip next to the pump. You clamp this onto your plane at a convenient location (usually the exhaust pipe) before refuelling. This is to discharge any static build-up.

 

[Gnome]

The reason they tell you to turn of your engine is because modern fuel pumps are submerged electric pumps that are located in the fuel tank.

These pumps generate electric sparks (not sometimes, all the time), there is arcing between the brushes and the commutator. Usually with the fuel filler cap closed, a vacuum is created so no oxygen is present. If oxygen where to reach the sparks generated by the fuel pump it would ignite and probably explode. Although fuel doesn't usually explode if you light it, a fuel tank is under pressure so the sudden change is pressure inside the fuel tank is likely to cause an explosion.

Fuel is ignited by heat, not sparks or lighter buds. So technically a cigarette could light petrol but generally it's not hot enough (I think on a REALLY hot day with low octane hot petrol it could be done). Sparks, generated either by fuel pump, spark plug, your hair or lightning are all based on the exact same principles, it's just the amount of current that differs. ESD (electrostatic discharge) from your hair or skin is just as likely to light petrol (especially gasoline vapor) as a spark plug, both just need oxygen and fuel vapor. ESD causes the air around the spark to become super heated, hence the danger.

 

[LancelotSA]

I’ve read a lot of threads regarding this, some say they do it all the time and that the static generated from climbing out of the vehicle is more dangerous. Others think it’s just suicidal and will get quite aggravated if they see you doing it, what do you think?

To me it makes no sense discussing what carries more of a risk. Surely anything that even carries the slightest risk should be eliminated rather than testing the odds. Don't smoke, don't use your phone, don't fill a container in the back of your bakkie, don't leave your engine running.

 

[Pointing1]

Why shouldn't u use your phone - whats the issue there....

 

[iMORT3rnAL]

Congratulations guys, you’ve managed to make me feel like an Israeli suicide bomber for the times that I've left my engine running…

/climbs under bed to repent

 

[upup]

If its very hot you can leave the engine running for the aircon.

If you drive a old Jag, you must switch it off, otherwise the tank will not get full.

I switch off to safe petrol.

 

[HavocXphere]

I can assure you that I wasn’t blown to bits... not yet any way

You would do well to stay away from russian roulette.

Come to think of it I remember something on Mythbusters on this. They tried and tried and could not ignite the petrol with a cigarette.

Their test was flawed & largely irrelevant. A cig can't ignite a puddle of fuel, but it can ignite the vapours easily if the concentration is right.

There have been explosions in the USA before due to the static. So it does actually happen sometimes. Although the odds are very low.

Its not a matter of odds, but rather of clothing + upholstery material used. With the right materials it can be reproduced quite reliably.

There is a video of static ignition at a fuel pump floating around the intertubes somewhere.

Others think it’s just suicidal and will get quite aggravated if they see you doing it, what do you think?

It is a risk with zero upside. Why take it?

 

[Claymore]

If you drive a old Jag, you must switch it off, otherwise the tank will not get full.

Aah, someone with experience of old Jags! That's why they had two fuel tanks.

 

[Jola]

Their test was flawed & largely irrelevant. A cig can't ignite a puddle of fuel, but it can ignite the vapours easily if the concentration is right.

This applies to many of their tests.

It is unfortunate, because some of the issues are relevant and one would like to know the results.

I don't watch Mythbusters anymore, their conclusions are mostly meaningless due to poor methodology !

 

[piranha786]

In contrast to Hollywood propaganda, a cigarette cannot ignite petrol, but having said that, a petrol jockey got pissed at me when I used water to put out a cigarette lying on the pavement next to my car. Fsck him.

I also don't see how static causes an issue. The moment you touch the pumps you should discharge anyway.

I read that the design of my cars fuel tank is such that static electricity is discharged. what happens is, when you as the driver opens up the petrol flap from the inside, it, do not fully open up, the petrol attendant will have to open the flap with his hand thereby discharging any static electricity.

 

[Voicy]

Why shouldn't u use your phone - whats the issue there....

Phone batteries are dry contacts (i.e. touching, not bonded) and may create a slight spark in the odd chance of something going wrong or moving.

I read that the design of my cars fuel tank is such that static electricity is discharged. what happens is, when you as the driver opens up the petrol flap from the inside, it, do not fully open up, the petrol attendant will have to open the flap with his hand thereby discharging any static electricity.

That's pretty decent of them to factor in.

 

[Palimino]

I read that the design of my cars fuel tank is such that static electricity is discharged. what happens is, when you as the driver opens up the petrol flap from the inside, it, do not fully open up, the petrol attendant will have to open the flap with his hand thereby discharging any static electricity.

To my knowledge the petrol attendant opening the flap with his hand (thereby discharging any static electricity) will not happen (not reliable). He is wearing shoes (rubber soles?) so is insulated from ground. Unless he discharges static by simultaneously holding something else, he discharges nothing.