turn car off while gassing up?
08-27-2003, 10:05 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 866
I read in either the owners manual or FSM that running the car with a non-sealing gas cap will produce an ECU code (I think something for EVAP system). I'm making a big assumption here, but wouldn't running the car WITHOUT a cap be the same as having one that doesn't seal right?
In any case, it is safer to turn it off and ground yourself before removing the cap. Odds of anything bad happening may be small, but why risk being a statistic?
Dave
In any case, it is safer to turn it off and ground yourself before removing the cap. Odds of anything bad happening may be small, but why risk being a statistic?
Dave
08-27-2003, 10:09 PM
#9
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: San Bruno, CA (SF Bay)
Posts: 3,747
well...if u dont tighten ur cap all the way, u get that code, running for a couple minutes with it open wouldnt be a problem. is it THAT hard to turn off and restart the car when ur getting gas?
08-28-2003, 12:48 AM
#10
I like many others have filled the tank forgetting the car was on the whole time. I didn't explode but better safe than sorry. The biggest issue is getting yourself free of static electricity by grounding beforehand.
08-28-2003, 07:22 AM
#13
U wanna try me young boy?
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 1,024
I always shut off. It's just one of those rules onthe car that people ignore. Like the soccer-mom who was in the driver's seat talking on her cellphone while the gas pump was overflowing over on the passenger side. She just stared at me when I honked my horn and pointed at her gas cap. There was probably 2 gallons of gas on the floor by the time I shouted; "Your gas tank is spilling!". She closed her gas cap and drove away.
Mistakes:
1) Got back in car (creates static)
2) Didn't stay at the pump
3) Used a cellphone (BP bans this, and it WAS a BP)
4) Didn't notify attendant of spill
5) The nozzle was faulty and didn't auto-shutoff
The only thing left that she DIDN'T do wrong was full up an un-approved container... :/
Mistakes:
1) Got back in car (creates static)
2) Didn't stay at the pump
3) Used a cellphone (BP bans this, and it WAS a BP)
4) Didn't notify attendant of spill
5) The nozzle was faulty and didn't auto-shutoff
The only thing left that she DIDN'T do wrong was full up an un-approved container... :/
08-28-2003, 07:40 AM
#14
Well,
On the technical side, its also bad for your injectors. What I was told by an attendant is that you could potentially be forcing dirt through your injectors that would otherwise prolly settle in the tank if the car was off...but with the fuel pump running...u could damage them...works for me...so I shut it off.
O
On the technical side, its also bad for your injectors. What I was told by an attendant is that you could potentially be forcing dirt through your injectors that would otherwise prolly settle in the tank if the car was off...but with the fuel pump running...u could damage them...works for me...so I shut it off.
O
You have to love this place ! This post might have just saved my tail !
08-28-2003, 09:20 AM
#17
1 of few unmodded 4G Maxs
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Commerce Twp., MI
Posts: 2,828
Re: turn car off while gassing up?
Originally posted by 96_Infiniti_I30
should i or not? is there really a difference? i always fill up while the cars running.
should i or not? is there really a difference? i always fill up while the cars running.
Originally posted by mendon11
its just a bad idea...how about some common sense
its just a bad idea...how about some common sense
tell that to my brother, lol, and for him to use 93 instead of 89
08-28-2003, 09:59 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 708
i work for a dealership and drive a 1500 truck.....they tell us not to shut it off and ive been filling it up with it on for about 4 years now with no problems whatsoever. i think the main reason they want you to shut it off is evap and enviroment issues
08-28-2003, 10:45 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 213
how much can be said about this??
it was not law to shut the car off some years back,
but it is now.
that is because there were kabooms,
not many, but enough
listen to statistics,
the gov't did
if you can't shut it off and turn it on, maybe you shouldn't be trusted to operate a gas and break peddle too...
... my thoughts ...
dave h.
(if you don't do it for yourself, do it for others)
it was not law to shut the car off some years back,
but it is now.
that is because there were kabooms,
not many, but enough
listen to statistics,
the gov't did
if you can't shut it off and turn it on, maybe you shouldn't be trusted to operate a gas and break peddle too...
... my thoughts ...
dave h.
(if you don't do it for yourself, do it for others)
08-28-2003, 11:18 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 866
I agree with dave harms. I think the law was enacted because some people just aren't smart enough to figure it out themselves, or in all fairness, just don't think about it. But this gets back to my theory that a lot of people have forgotten how to properly "think" for themselves. Common sense has really become a lost trait. Doesn't the same sign that says to shut off your engine while refueling also say "No Smoking"? I find it utterly disgusting that I share the road with people who need reminded of that.
Dave
Dave
08-28-2003, 11:43 AM
#25
Originally posted by 97MaximaSE
i work for a dealership and drive a 1500 truck.....they tell us not to shut it off and ive been filling it up with it on for about 4 years now with no problems whatsoever. i think the main reason they want you to shut it off is evap and enviroment issues
i work for a dealership and drive a 1500 truck.....they tell us not to shut it off and ive been filling it up with it on for about 4 years now with no problems whatsoever. i think the main reason they want you to shut it off is evap and enviroment issues
08-28-2003, 12:05 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 866
Originally posted by dave harms
I find it utterly disgusting that I share the road with people who need reminded of that.
very subtle dave!! LOL
I find it utterly disgusting that I share the road with people who need reminded of that.
very subtle dave!! LOL
When I'm filling my car with my kids present, and someone is smoking while filling their car, I should be allowed to shoot them just on principle. They endanger my kids and me, I eliminate the threat. The gene pool needs a deep cleaning, and this could be a start.
BTW, I am not anti-smoking, as that is an adults personal choice. But I am against someone jeopardizing my family's safety because of a complete lack of fore-thought. This gets back to the gene pool...
Dave
08-28-2003, 12:23 PM
#27
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bergen County NJ
Posts: 2,124
Ever since I got a car (before the Maxima) I left the car running, I also obvserve many others do the same without problem. In fact, here in NJ its Full Serve so I do not need to pump it myself, or even get out of the car.
08-28-2003, 05:57 PM
#28
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: San Bruno, CA (SF Bay)
Posts: 3,747
just because some people do it, doesnt mean its the right thing to do... its not like some huge deal, but yea, its illegal, theres signs about it, and there HAS been problems. just curious, whats so hard about shutting it off? its not like leaving it on is good for it, so why leave it on?
08-28-2003, 06:08 PM
#29
Originally posted by nupe500
Well,
On the technical side, its also bad for your injectors. What I was told by an attendant is that you could potentially be forcing dirt through your injectors that would otherwise prolly settle in the tank if the car was off...but with the fuel pump running...u could damage them...works for me...so I shut it off.
O
Well,
On the technical side, its also bad for your injectors. What I was told by an attendant is that you could potentially be forcing dirt through your injectors that would otherwise prolly settle in the tank if the car was off...but with the fuel pump running...u could damage them...works for me...so I shut it off.
O
08-29-2003, 01:33 PM
#32
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Poughkeepsie, NY
Posts: 1,424
Originally posted by Dave Holmes
When I'm filling my car with my kids present, and someone is smoking while filling their car, I should be allowed to shoot them just on principle.
When I'm filling my car with my kids present, and someone is smoking while filling their car, I should be allowed to shoot them just on principle.
I don't understand any of this. How could the running engine ignite the gas?
Claiming that cell phones/pagers can ignite gas fumes is (IMO) entirely stupid. Smoking is a no brainer...I just think we've gone a little overboard with the paranoia.
08-29-2003, 02:40 PM
#33
Putting the static electricity thing aside, remember that your car runs using a pressurized fuel system. When you remove the gas cap you're removing a decent amount of the pressure in the system. The implications aren't earthshattering, but the car wasn't designed to run in that manner.
-hype
-hype
09-01-2003, 03:46 PM
#34
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: San Bruno, CA (SF Bay)
Posts: 3,747
Originally Posted by sryth
I'm pretty sure popping off a firearm would be considered a fire hazard!
09-06-2003, 11:36 AM
#37
Quoted from Malaya Opinion :
Why is it dangerous to leave your car running?
Many people believe this safety warning only applies to older cars. That is not true. A running car presents a number of "ignition sources" for fuel vapor. The exhaust components of a modern car can literally glow red hot during normal operation. The typical ignition system creates voltages above 40,000 volts. But turning off your engine while refueling isn't just to prevent your car from starting a fire. There is also a safety issue in the event of fire, regardless of the source. In case a fire does occur in a gas station a running car is a danger. Imagine that fire burns through one of the rubber fuel hoses under your running car. Most fuel pumps deliver gasoline at about 15 to 40 pounds per square inch (PSI). Your fuel pump is now spraying a tremendous amount of gasoline at an open flame.
Many people believe this safety warning only applies to older cars. That is not true. A running car presents a number of "ignition sources" for fuel vapor. The exhaust components of a modern car can literally glow red hot during normal operation. The typical ignition system creates voltages above 40,000 volts. But turning off your engine while refueling isn't just to prevent your car from starting a fire. There is also a safety issue in the event of fire, regardless of the source. In case a fire does occur in a gas station a running car is a danger. Imagine that fire burns through one of the rubber fuel hoses under your running car. Most fuel pumps deliver gasoline at about 15 to 40 pounds per square inch (PSI). Your fuel pump is now spraying a tremendous amount of gasoline at an open flame.
09-08-2003, 05:54 PM
#38
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Poughkeepsie, NY
Posts: 1,424
This is absolutely rediculous. What about all the cars pulling up to/away from the pumps? Aren't they big fire hazards? According to this "information", I should cut my engine upon entering the gas station property and coast to the pump. Then, when I'm done refueling, push my car out of the station before starting it. Otherwise I have a fire hazard...
09-08-2003, 06:10 PM
#39
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 55
I've been driving for 18 years and I've never shut off a car while fueling. I've never had a problem, never had a check engine light come on, and never had a fuel system related failure on any of my vehicles. I also have a remote start so the keys come with me when I leave the vehicle (you're inviting someone to steal a running car with the doors unlocked and the keys in it).
It's the same kind of logic some people apply to wearing seatbelts. 99.9% of your adult life you will never need them and they are an unnecessary safety precaution. But the 0.1% of the time you really need them, you *really* need them. 99.9% of the time fueling a car with the engine running will never be a problem.
But FWIW, I *always* wear my seatbelt (except when fueling--does that make it doubly dangerous?)
It's the same kind of logic some people apply to wearing seatbelts. 99.9% of your adult life you will never need them and they are an unnecessary safety precaution. But the 0.1% of the time you really need them, you *really* need them. 99.9% of the time fueling a car with the engine running will never be a problem.
But FWIW, I *always* wear my seatbelt (except when fueling--does that make it doubly dangerous?)
09-08-2003, 06:30 PM
#40
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: San Bruno, CA (SF Bay)
Posts: 3,747
Originally Posted by pianoman41
I've been driving for 18 years and I've never shut off a car while fueling. I've never had a problem, never had a check engine light come on, and never had a fuel system related failure on any of my vehicles. ).