Storing gas in the Prius

Why would you need to keep 5 gasoline in the car while there are so many gas stations around? I'd only do it if I am on a road trip not knowing where the next gas station would be but not keep it in the car as a regular habit. It's like storing dynamite in the trunk thinking that it won't explode no matter what happens. Not so wise in my opinion.

 

I'll go out on a limb here and say OP means to put a full gas can in the trunk long enough to drive it home from the gas station, not to keep it back there long term.

I don't yet have a Prius but I can't imagine it would hurt to drive home with a gas can in the trunk. Certainly the battery isn't putting out fumes that will react with gas fumes and cause a problem. I mean, there are safety regulations on these things.

Now what you could do is get a reel mower. No gas required. I have one. Granted, you can forget mowing the back 40, but hey, that's a good way to get out of that job all together.

 

The LEL or lower explosive limit if gasoline I believe is 1.4 meaning it only takes 1.4% gasoline fumes in the atmosphere to explode when introduced to an ignition source such as a spark.

Sparks are created every time you enter and exit a vehicle unbeknownst to you, it's called static electricity and if your car is full of fuel vapors, you step in and sit back on a cloth seat your friction become the ignition source and, boom.

Having a container of gasoline in the hatch area your vehicle, as long as the windows are down should not be much of a safety concern however since the air exchange rate with windows all down is much too high with the vehicle in motion to be a safety concern. It's when you stop, or let the car sit for extended periods of time in the summer sun that the gas can continues to vent off excess vapors that may become deadly.

The fumes are toxic and kill brain cells along with being explosive, so if you are carrying a 5 gallon container in your vehicle as part of your profession, and you have the option to strap it down to your trailer with the mower instead, if I were you I would try my best to keep the gasoline out of the vehicle for your own health and safety.

 

The battery (neither of them - there are two in the back of the Prius) will not ignite gasoline vapours.

I carry my 1 or 2 gal. fuel container home from the filling station on the rear passenger floor, mainly because it fits well there and won't move much when I drive. But if properly secured, there is no reason not to carry a 5 gal. container home from the fuel station in the hatch. Do note as it heats up in the car the fuel will expand, so leave about 20% empty to accommodate this (put four gallons in a 5 gall. container).

 

I think that's a really good safety question for EVs and Prii. That I am aware of, no car is designed to be explosion proof. In other words, any car may generate sparks with the electrical system. In this respect, Prius is not different that any car. However, assuming the worse case scenario a leak happens, Prii do have lots of electrical stuff back there. I am not aware of any Toyota guidance, but I think they may say not to carry big water containers. I would suggest Google search of saftey tips for transporting 5-gal gaso cans. One issue re: filling is static and sometimes pros use grounding straps. I personally use a smaller 1.5 gal and I put in open box with open windows. As time permits I will try to look into safety tips.

 

In an accident, a container of gasoline could rupture inside the passenger compartment of the Prius. I don't think I'd want to be bathed in gasoline at a moment like that. Could be a little less dangerous if the gasoline container were transported in car that has a separate trunk? It gets hot in there too, so still not absolutely the best method.

I've seen metal baskets/containers that attach to a receiver hitch. At least the fuel could be carried and kept outside the car. That might be a safer solution to a smelly and pontentially volatile problem.

 

Nearly all plastic gas cans, even those rated by the EPA and CARB regulations as low permeation, will leak fumes through the walls of the can.

The best can is the German type cam type lid NATO jerry can, that has not been available for sale in the US legally since January 2009.

Those that have been "grandfathered," and made before the new CARB regulations took effect re getting big bucks on the market, due to their scarcity and limited supply.

I would not carry any gasoline, except in a sealed all metal jerry can. for any distance except from the gas station to the garage or garden shed.

 

You mean something like this? 20 Liter Jerry Gas Can -- Barre Army/Navy Store Online Store

 

Yep, that's it....


However, be aware that they are starting to make cheap Chinese knockoffs and offering them as "NATO style."

Run, don't walk away from the cheap Chinese junk.

 

Here are some generic safety tips for vehicle and can fueling.
It says not to place in a closed trunk (Prius OK there).
You must remove can from vehicle and place on ground and keep nozzle in contact with can.

Gasoline Handling & Storage Fire Safety Tips

more tips:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6399714_carry-gas-car.html

and in case of nuclear war, a Prius-owner survivalist gives his 3000-mile solution-

http://survivalblog.com/2012/01/letter-re-a-safe-way-to-carry.html

 

Permeation is a proble, even with the current Scepter "military fuel cans" that the US, Canadian and many other militaries used to replace the metal ones.

I know, I've used them. The original German "Karftstoff" 20L jerry can is still the best.

The US metal ones leaked, were not coated on the inside and needed a wrench to open and seal.

 

I don't think the ones I linked to are either cheap or Chinese. They gotta be good, "Sorry, this item can not be shipped to the State of California."


Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.

 

I'm glad people ask these questions.. I just brought home gas for the mower yesterday and never gave a thought to it. I mean I followed basic safety, but didn't worry about the prius vs all gas car

My motto is that those Japanese engineers are a lot smarter than me and they're on the 3d gen, so just sit back crank the ac and drive

 

I have a reel mower made by Fiskars that is terrific. Yes the same Fiskars that makes scissors. It has a unique design where the blades don't come in contact so they don't need to be sharpened as often. Very easy to use, so much so that I do my neighbors' backyards while I am doing mine which they haven't complained about

It is pricey at $200 and hard to find in stores I bought mine on Amazon. I have model 6201 18"

 

It would be a good idea to place the filled and properly caped gas container into a pail or container that will hold the gas container. It will act as a safety barrier in case of a spill.
I have a square pale that I use . It is flat and stays in place while the gas container sits inside.
In a pinch, place your gas container into a heavy duty garbage bag or two tied off in case of a spill.
This perhaps will take you from your gas station directly home and reduce the worry of a problem.

 

drive home with the windosw down and the gas can in your lap.


this way if you see an accident about to happen you can throw the can out the window.

:flame::target::mad2::boom::crazy:

 

I lifted up the cargo carpet and put it in to the cargo plastic area and hooked it up with a bungee cord thru the handle to the tie down rings in the car to keep it upright.

I brought the dog with me to remind me not to smoke in the car with the gas in there. Haha (no smoking around doggy)

 

Transport OK, storage very very bad.

But rechargeable electric mowers are getting pretty good. Why not use wind, Solar, or safe clean nuclear power to mow your lawn?

 

sheep are the best.

they eat the grass and sh1t fertilizer. when they get old you can eat them.