because we chose to

 

mybusters already busted this myth.

still its the law to turn off the car so. . .

 

i always leave it running, the gas stations don't have a problem with it, and the amount of gas you burn by idling for 2 minutes is negligible. If they ask me to turn off my car, i'll do it. Gas can still explode from a spark whether my car is on or not, so I don't see the point of turning my car off..

 

The reason the signs tell you to turn off your vehicle is because in most states it's illegal to leave a running vehicle unattended, but no one seems to know that.

BTW I almost always leave the car on while getting gas and I haven't blown up yet...

 

I was talking about getting it stolen, not necessarily it blowing up. Glad to see you can read. oh wait nvm.........

 

I did see someones hair catch on fire when filling up because she got in and out of her car. It was CRAZY!! kinda funny too...but made me think twice about all these rules.

 

I turn mine off but it doesnt matter. Chances of a fire are no greater with it on....

 

Some people are just too damn stubborn to obey safety signs, law or not....go figure!

Just leave the gawd-damn engine off while filling up for everyone's and your sake and safety. If you don't care about your own, then at least think of others. Instead of insisting on your own little reasons why you feel that there's nothing wrong with keeping your engines running while filling up your tank of gas.

Safety signs are there for a reason.

 

fire is just as likely with the car off........

 

Ignition should be off when filling. ECU will fault-out if done too frequently. Fire hazard is also issue, though mentioned earlier, static generated by getting in and out of car is bigger risk of causing fire. Better to err on the side of caution. Ask any burn victim...

 

sometimes i do

 

What in the world is faulting out? Where'd you get this from?
Static electricity can increase the risk of fire even with the car off. Invalid.

 

how many people do you know who've had their cars explode at a gas station?

 

I bet he saw that thing on the news show 20/20 .That did show how cars were catching fire with the static at gas stations.

 

Got this from the PEI (Petrolium Equipment Institute) website:
Q: Engine Running
Why is it dangerous to leave your car running?

A: 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.

Here's more info from the same website:
http://www.pei.org/static/index.htm

BTW, come to think of this, I have had static shock a few times while I was refueling my car in the past. I get out, put the nozzle in and started pumping, got back in the car. Then got out, removed the nozzle, put the gas cap back on, and touched a metal part of my door as I get in my car and zzzzap, static shock. I've even gotten zappped as I close the metal gas door on my car, but no fire. I rarely do this as I have stated in my previous post that I usually go in the mini-mart to by stuff as my car refuels.

 

Never. I like to save as much gas as possible!!

 

well, i turn off my max, DONT want my max on headline news.

 

three stars WTF!!

 

Hey i got a question.... does anyone know where i can get someone to make custom fenders?

 

Stop thread jacking http://forums.maxima.org/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=9

 

1. Was referring to the error code generated when the gas cap does not seal properly.

2. What's invalid?

 

Perhaps there was no fire since you had already put the cap back on before the static discharge. If the spark was generated while fueling (i.e. the fuel going into the tank will be displacing alot of flammable vapor into the atmosphere alongside the car) the potential for ignition would be much greater.

Regardless, I'd rather not take the chance to be immolated.

 

a couple of years ago it was really hot and my wife asked me to leave the car on for the AC. I couldn't come up with a good reason why I shouldn't do it other than it was posted on the pump to stop engine. Thats enough for me, why the hell would you risk a fire just to keep your ac cold or heater hot. If the weather is that extreme don't wait for it to fill-up.

But I do use my cell phone at the pump, according to Mythbusters there are no incidents of fire caused by a cell phone, or scientific data to back it up.

As for static electricity, I am sure to touch the car away from the pump nozzle to discharge any built up static before I touch the pump especially if I get back into the car. There is a video of a firefighter with a bare hand who had built up a static charge and touched the pump and the spark ignited the gas fumes and caught the side of the car on fire.

 

it can happen, remember Zoolander? when an innocent gas fight turns deadly.

 

Mabye you should read through this thread again who was talking about stolen cars? You don't say that anywhere in the post that I quoted. I can read. I'm just not good at reading minds. A car can get stolen anywhere even while your in it. Please try again. Thanks for playing.

 

Yeah but there is a better chance of you car getting stolen in you leave it running and walk away. It happened here in LA a couple of years ago and ended in a police pursuit. And a Land Rover getting pretty torn up.

 

I always shut the car off. While the safety risk is small, I don't see any reason why to leave it running.

Honestly I'm surprised so many people leave their car running - I thought that was universal knowledge.

Dave

 

Yea, obviously but still the topic at debate is leaving the car on or off at the gas station. I would assume that person pumping the gas is either standing next to the car pumping gas or in the car while gas is pumping. Not leaving the car running at the gas station and taking a walk for a mile to shop at the local mall.

I'm still waiting for a reply that has an explanation of the differences in chemical reactions dealing pumping gas with car on versus the car off.

 

There is no difference, chemically or otherwise. Yes, the fuel pump is running, and yes, the vacuum normally in the tank is now gone, but neither should present any additional risk.

As for people who leave their car running and have it stolen, good for them. The keys stay with me at all times, which means that except for early morning warmups in my neighborhood, I never leave a running car unattended. And I pay at the pump for my gas, so it's not an issue.

Dave

 

wow, this thread redefines insanity. I didn't realize the org had so many 16-year-old experts in chemistry, physics, and probability.

1. just because something has not happened does not imply that it cannot.
2. turn your car off, you lazy fools. save a few minutes worth of gas and pollution. and while you're at it, offer to clean the windows of the old woman's car in front of you. or if she scares you, say something witty to the hot chick one aisle over.

/thread.

 

I'm with DR Max. I turn it off, start the pump, lock the car, and go in and get my coffee or snack or lottery ticket or whatever, come back out and it's ready to go.

 

I leave mine running, but I have my reasons.

ftw!

 

i have left mine running a few times,not often. its not bad for the car

 

The thread is talking to you all. it says

 

I couldn't agree more! Too many 16-year old experts who think they know it all just because they haven't seen it with their own eyes yet. It's like the seat belt thread...where several kids actually believe that wearing your seat belt is more dangerous than not wearing it. . Obey the gas station rule...TURN IT OFF...for your own safety and those around you! Why risk it when you know there's a possibility?

 

Sorry, I always turn mine off. Cant even think to leave it on.

 

OK there is a really simple solution to this all ... leave your car in the ON position, but shut it off. This magically keeps your heater/AC running to keep your passengers comfortable while you safely pump gas. Incredible isn't it?

Don't even start with the battery BS because there is no way you can kill your battery over that period of time unless your battery is on it's last leg.

 

Car running, ACC on or not, your telling me that in the 2 minutes it takes to fill your tank, your car can get cold again? I for sure know thats not the case with mine, once its warmed up it stays warm for a while. I doubt the 2 degree drop in cabin temp is worth everything mentioned above.

 

To me its just second nature to shut off the car, just like putting on my seat belt everytime I get in the car, I even reach for it just to move my car a few feet.

 

i know, driving without my belt feels WEIRD, i never thought id say that, but i mean honestly its such a habit now that i have to tell myself not to do it, and i cant even remember when i havent. either way, read signs. they dont make money off of posting the signs, so MAYBE, just maybe its for your own good