4

At petrol stations in Australia, there are always several signs that say "Turn off engine while refuelling" (or something of the sorts). Is this necessary to do, and why, or is just something that is required in older cars and no longer required in new cars? My question is regarding petrol engines, but I assume diesel is the same.

Improve this question
2
  • @cory, if you would like to answer the question, you should do that in an answer, not a comment.
    – Bob Cross ♦
    Mar 1, 2017 at 15:06
  • Heh... okay man. Good work
    – cory
    Mar 1, 2017 at 15:37

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
9

Here is a link from the API (American Petroleum Institute) website. http://www.api.org/oil-and-natural-gas/consumer-information/consumer-resources/staying-safe-pump

The article is called Staying safe at the pump. It talks a lot about static discharge among other things as sources of ignition. In most jurisdictions it is illegal to have an engine running while refueling. It is also against the law to smoke a cigarette within 25 feet (7.62 meters) of a fuel dispenser while in operation. As always it is better to be safe than dead.

When an engine is running there are multiple possible sources of ignition. Alternator or electric motor contact arcing. In older vehicles distributors could trigger flash fires or explosions. Fuel vapor is worse than liquid gasoline in terms of volatility. Considering what is directly underneath ... multiple large containers of fuel at about 20000 liters a pop.

Is it worth the risk to yourself and others?

Improve this answer
2
  • Any petrol engine is spark-ignition so even minus a distributor there's sparks being made under your bonnet. Modern diesel injectors can use high voltages to actuate quickly too. Alternators, cooling fans, relays all have moving electrical contacts which DO create sparks.
    – John U
    Mar 1, 2017 at 16:03
  • ...it's POSSIBLE to fill a vehicle with the engine running but not a great idea.
    – John U
    Mar 1, 2017 at 16:04
4

Yes, it is necessary. When fueling, fuel vapor escapes, potentially creating a combustible mix. Plus there's always the possibility of an accidental spill.

A running engine adds an ignition source to this environment. Switching the engine off makes a fire less likely.

Improve this answer
1
  • Agreed, also the use of mobile phones is not allowed (in some countries) for the same reason.
    – Solar Mike
    Feb 28, 2017 at 9:28
0

Mostly a 'just to be safe'. Modern cars will throw a check engine light is you pull the gas cap while the engine is running.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    It is very uncommon for the evaporative system monitor to Run tests at idle. It takes two failure events to get a CEL on.
    – Fred Wilson
    Feb 28, 2017 at 4:00

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .