Pump gas while car is running?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,562
Likes: 5
From: South East coast Florida
Originally Posted by speedy-vet
I've seen people do this couple of times but I've never done this with either car. An engine running while I pump gas or talk on cell?. The idea scares me!!
Am I wrong? is that safe?
Am I wrong? is that safe?
Best I can comeup with. Good luck on your decision!
Guess I should read all the responses first. Sorry for the repeat!!!!!
Last edited by mowton; Nov 20, 2004 at 11:04 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 0
From: Apple Pie Moonshine Bring it back
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by madeouttaglass
I like the smokers at the gas station. Darwin awards?
and nothing happened. 
something about a lit cig only burns at 850 deg. and thats not high enough to ignite gas fumes.
Then they took a simple little piezo spark device and set it off obove the bottle and it went off like a rocket. (static elec. sparks are around 1700 deg.)
The whole point of the exercise was to show how dangerous it was NOT to ground yourself out before pumping gas as when you get out in dry air the scooting across the seat would pump you full of static.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
Originally Posted by screw991le
The gas itself won't ignite, the vapors will. Get enough concentration of vapors and you'll get a flash fire. But out doors, I highly doubt it. But these is always a first time for everything. Am I the only one who paid attention in chemistry class? LOL
LOLI owned a service station for 12 years and saw several cars burst into flames at the pumps while the engines were running.
DO YOU FEEL LUCKY?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 6
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by mowton
Myth Busters proofed the Cell Phone theory is bogus. The better reason not to do it is todays computers and Check Engine lights illuminating because of improperly closed gas caps. Other than that, you are burning the gas as you are filling it!
Best I can comeup with. Good luck on your decision!
Best I can comeup with. Good luck on your decision!
After all these great responses It's just a matter of 'common sense'.
Thanks guys!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by 2k2C5
Not a good idea to pump gas with the engine running.
Talking on a cell phone at the pump is an urban legend. Mythbusters put that rumor to rest on their show and found that there is no danger at all.
Talking on a cell phone at the pump is an urban legend. Mythbusters put that rumor to rest on their show and found that there is no danger at all.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,147
Likes: 32
From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by corvettebob1
I owned a service station for 12 years and saw several cars burst into flames at the pumps while the engines were running.
I dont have cats so I guess I can do it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Texas
Originally Posted by screw991le
The gas itself won't ignite, the vapors will. Get enough concentration of vapors and you'll get a flash fire. But out doors, I highly doubt it. But these is always a first time for everything. Am I the only one who paid attention in chemistry class? LOL
LOL
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 2
Again, way more concerned about a static shock-which will ignite gas vapors-than hot cats, etc... With the new environment-friendly pumps which contain most of the gas vapor, I think there is even less risk than before.
I think there is a higher chance of winning the lottery and running out if front of your house going "..WhoHOO!..." and getting struck by lightning in a snow storm
I think there is a higher chance of winning the lottery and running out if front of your house going "..WhoHOO!..." and getting struck by lightning in a snow storm
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx Got traction?
CI 5-6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
In my talon tsi, the turbo timer lasts a minute anyways, so i ususally just leave it running. But any other car i always turn off.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 13,892
Likes: 0
From: Loaded like a freight train, flyin' like an aeroplane!
CI 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11 Vet
CI X-XI Blind Cart Auto-X Champ
CI VI Autocross Champ
CI VIII Autocross Champ
CI VIII Cone-killin' champ
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Originally Posted by RedWolf
Nothing will probably ever happen but why risk it? Would hate to see my baby in a melted pile.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,665
Likes: 56
I've seen reports showing actual cases with a cell phone causing a fire at gas pumps. Most, if not all, are due to the person talking on the phone re-entering the vehicle while the gas is being pumped. The static electricity caused by re-entering the vehicle (esp. w/ cloth seats) combined with the cell phone can be very deadly.
CHICAGO CREW !
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 17,591
Likes: 93
From: We are living in a Bazzaro World everything is upside down half ass backwards !
CI 4-5-6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08 & '12
my car doe's not shoot out sparks or flames when it runs ! so where is the danger if nascar can refuel there 800 hp race cars when they are running i can't see why i can't refuel my car J.M.H.O.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,903
Likes: 0
From: I finished a Marathon, did you? Michigan
CI 6-7, 9-10 Veteran
I wouldn't pump it while it was running. But as far as talking on your cell phone. That was covered on Myth Busters. Nothing will happen if you talk on your cell phone. You need a spark to ignite a fire. Cell phones should not spark
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
Originally Posted by BBates
I used to do this with my old '69 Camaro. I did it because my starter got heat soak so bad that it often would not start the car back up. The headers were too close to the starter and not ceramic coated. I fixed that problem by getting rid of the Camaro and buying my current C5 Vette. Best decision I ever made!!!
Keeping the car on is a very bad idea, almost as bad as using your cell phone while you pump. (edit: Screw Myth Busters, they're payed off!)
"If NASCAR can why can't I" ...
In what way does your car and the fuel compare to that of a NASCAR race car!? Also they're not endangering thousands of people because they use fuel jugs, instead of straight from a giant 500 gallon tank.
How hard is it to understand all you need is one spark.
Oh wait! Gas isn't that flammable. I dont know what everybody's worried about.
Last edited by Neablas; Nov 21, 2004 at 06:34 PM.