So why should you turn off your car before pumping?

Question

I had a friend tell me that I should really turn off my car before I pump gas , but she couldn't tell me why. Can you help me?

Answer 1

If your car backfires (which used to be a problem, and still can be on older cars).  You can fire off the whole gas station.  Tell me when and where you gas up, because I want to stand at a safe distance and video the whole thing.

Answer 2

A - the running engine is a source of ignition for gas fumes.  Fumes at the station are strongest while you are pumping.  Any voltage leak under the hood, from a worn plug wire, or other sources, and BOOM!

B - gas fumes can travel along the ground, plug gas gets spilled on occasion.  You exhaust system on a running vehicle is red hot, and can cause fire or explosion.  Believe it or not, the few minutes you have the car shut off, that exhaust system can cool off by a couple of hundred degrees.

C - it is illegal most places to pump gas while the engine is running, and the attendant is required by law to turn your pump off if you do not shut your engine off.

Talk to your local fire department if you doubt what I say.

D - leaving the car idling is an ignorant waste of resources.  Even if it weren't dangerous, at today's prices, there is no excuse for such wastefulness.

Answer 3

maybe its cus itll go on fire.. idk. maybee. lolz.

Answer 4

The main reason is that your engine and or exhaust system could ignite the gas flumes...

Answer 5

If you turn your vehicle off before pumping gas your not chewing up gas while your filling. In other words, your saving money when you turn your vehicle off before you fill up.

Another reason is that some vehicle's gas line and/or tank can become damaged when you leave your vehicle running while you fill up.

There are also some cars that can catch fire if you leave an engine running while you fill up.

Last but not least, because cars run on a form of electricity. One shock on a gas pump could make the station blow.

Hope this helps

Answer 6

why not? you are idling and not moving anywhere for a good 4-5minutes. you are just wasting gas. and for safety reason as well, it might spark some gasoline vapors.