Engine off when gassing up?

What does the manual say?

Turn it off.

 

The original reasons they made the 'turn off your engine when gassing up' laws are likely no longer possible in modern cars, yet the laws are still in effect most everywhere and people will look at you like you're endangering their lives if they hear your engine running while you're pumping.

 

The ICE may decide to start at any time if left in "ready mode". So the smart thing to do is turn the car off.

California has warning stickers telling you not to re-enter the car during fueling. Because it's may create a static discharge.

 

Hmm, so you think the law doesn't apply to YOU?

Turn off the car before fueling!

 

what point, purpose or advantage would there be in leaving it on?

 

I thought it was only folks in diesel pickups who left them running under the impression that it takes more fuel to restart the engine than to keep it running for a few minutes. While that may have been true in the past, I don't think that's the case with modern diesels.

 

Years ago most tanks had and area that would allow for "settling". The engine fuel pickup was above this. If you had the engine running when you were fueling the incoming fuel would "kick up" the dirt in the settling area and the dirt would then be sucked into the pump and filter. Starting the the engine after you stop fueling allows the dirt to drop in the tank

 

Turn it off.

 

There are ENOUGH bad stereotypes out there already. I mean if you're going to run the motor, why not enjoy a cigarette and open your car door and expose everyone else in the fueling area to your sound system while you're at it?

Really.
Turn it off.

As stated above...there is no reason not to, unless you have a critter in your car and you want to leave the HVAC system running, and then? You should shut the car off, fuel, MOVE THE CAR to a proper parking spot, then leave it running while you go inside to pump bilges and get some high calorie snack.

Just sayin!

 

It's a button. Press it

 

"The ICE may decide to start at any time if left in "ready mode"." The ICE will start only if the battery is very low (2 bars) or the engine is cold (<130F-150F). If you drove a few miles to the gas station the engine won't be cold. Turn off the CC & radio.

You'll save a start up cycle by not powering down.

 

...as far as I know gasoline still burns so YES turn the car off.
You are trying to avoid any kind of spark that could ignite gaso vapors (including cell phones).
Not even sure the accessories can be on safely...I refrain from any power.
OK yes modern cars should be somewhat safer as far as keeping fumes inside the tank system.
But there is always the clunker next to you, which is spewing heavy vapors.
It is also still possible for spill or defective nozzles to create vapors.
I have posted best practice safety procedures for refill in the past, need to find it.

 

The higher the voltage the easier it is to cause a spark. Do not be in READY when fueling.

 

Thanks. I didn't know that.

 

Here are some State of MD refill guidelines.
It references the API source which mentions all accessories should be off.

http://www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/Gasoline_Safety.pdf

 

Ha, I drove from Boston to Florida, 2500 miles, without ever turning the car off. I just turn the AC off so the battery doesn't drain. Any fires that resulted form cars running were because of the spark from the ignition system. As stated before, the engine is off when parked but still in ready mode and will stay that way unless there is an excessive drain on the battery. Also diesels don't need to turn their engines off because they don't have spark plugs. No spark plugs means no spark.

 

I believe the two major causes of car fires when fueling are static electricity and smoking. Fuel overflow or backflow being ignited from hot exhaust systems is another. If the ignition system is one, it is way down the list.

Never in my 57 year have I heard that one.

 

220 volts is like a wild animal trapped in a cage desperate to find a way to get out... And leaving the car off while refueling isn't exactly unlocking the cage... But as Jimbo points out, why create any extra opportunities for it.... I'm actually kinda of "shocked" we're even having this conversation?

 

Me too!