Rajan Wilcox
Many people have questioned whether it is safe to keep their car running while refuelling. While it may be tempting to remain in the comfort of your car during harsh weather, doing so can increase the chances of gas vapours coming into contact with heat or electricity, which may result in ignition. Although the chances of a fire occurring are minimal, the consequences could be catastrophic, and it is always better to be cautious. Therefore, it is recommended to turn off your engine before refuelling and to avoid re-entering your car while the fuel is pumping.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Running the engine while refuelling increases the chances of gas vapours coming into contact with heat or electricity, which can cause ignition. |
| The American Petroleum Institute (API) recommends grounding yourself by touching a metal part of your car with your bare hand if you need to get back into your vehicle during refuelling. | |
| The International Fire Code, which is enforced by most states, requires that "the engines of vehicles being fueled shall be shut off during fueling". | |
| Gas pumps have an automatic stop feature to prevent overflow, but there is a chance of mechanism failure, which can cause fuel to spill onto the ground and increase the risk of ignition. | |
| It is recommended to avoid smoking or vaping, using cell phones, and "topping off" (continuing to fill the tank after it is full) while refuelling to minimise the risk of fire. | |
| Convenience | Keeping the engine running during refuelling can provide temporary comfort in extreme weather conditions. |
| In very cold climates, leaving the engine running can help ensure the car restarts. | |
| Refuelling with the engine running may prevent the fuel gauge from updating. |
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What You'll Learn
The risk of fire is minimal but present
While it is not strictly impossible to refuel a car with the engine running, it is not recommended. The risk of fire is minimal but present, and the consequences could be catastrophic.
The issue is not the engine itself but the conditions that can be created. When you open the gas tank to fill it, you allow gasoline vapors to escape. With the engine running, the chances of these vapors coming into contact with heat or electricity are increased, and ignition can result. Modern cars are designed to detect even the slightest vapour leaks, and this can trigger the check engine light.
In addition, if your car has faulty spark plugs, unburnt fuel can make its way into the converter, overheat the catalyst, and break down its structure. This can result in hot particles being expelled from your exhaust pipe, which is a serious risk when refuelling.
While rare, there have been instances of fires starting at gas pumps. To minimise the risk, it is best to shut off your engine, and also to avoid re-entering your car while refuelling, as this can cause a build-up of static electricity. It is also important to avoid smoking or vaping near the pump, and to unplug any charging cords or electronic accessories before refuelling, as some wires may maintain their power even when the engine is off.
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Gas station attendants may suspect you of not paying
While it may be tempting to keep your car engine running while fuelling up at the gas station, especially on very hot or cold days, it is not a safe practice. Running your car engine while refuelling increases the chances of gas vapours coming into contact with heat or electricity, which could lead to ignition.
However, if you do choose to keep your car engine running while filling up, gas station attendants may suspect you of not planning to pay for your gas. This is especially true if the gas station allows customers to pay after pumping gas. Attendants may be cautious of this, as fuel theft is a common occurrence, and there are many ways for thieves to steal fuel. For example, thieves may wait until their vehicle is hidden by a truck or position their vehicle in a way that hides their license plate. In some cases, thieves work in pairs, with one offender distracting the attendant through purchases or conversation while their accomplice fills the vehicle's tank and drives away without paying.
Additionally, some gas stations have signs instructing customers to turn off their engines before pumping gas. If a customer ignores these signs and keeps their engine running, attendants may suspect them of planning to leave without paying, especially if the customer also exhibits other suspicious behaviours.
To avoid any suspicion from gas station attendants, it is best to turn off your vehicle's engine before fuelling up. This is not only safer but also helps to avoid triggering the check engine light, which can be a nuisance. By taking this simple precaution, you can ensure that you are following the recommended safety procedures and maintaining a good relationship with the gas station staff.
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Faulty spark plugs can cause unburnt fuel to enter the converter
While it is not strictly forbidden to fill up your car with fuel while the engine is running, it is not recommended. Filling up a car with fuel while the engine is on increases the chances of gas vapours coming into contact with heat or electricity, which could lead to ignition. Modern cars are designed to detect even the slightest vapour leaks from the fuel tank, fuel lines, and engine, which can trigger the check engine light. While this is not necessarily bad for your car, it could indicate a problem.
Now, faulty spark plugs can cause unburnt fuel to enter the converter. Spark plugs are insulated plugs that play a crucial role in a vehicle's internal combustion engine. They screw into the cylinder head, which sits at the top of the engine, and they're only about the size of a finger. Every time you start your car, they create a small but powerful spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. The combustion process, which involves burning fuel with oxygen, powers the engine.
Over time, several factors can contribute to a spark plug going bad. Wear and tear, for example, can cause spark plugs to deteriorate over time. The constant exposure to high temperatures and the continuous sparking process eventually wear down the electrodes, reducing the effectiveness of the spark. Carbon buildup can also be an issue. If your engine is running too rich (meaning there's too much fuel and not enough air in the mixture), carbon deposits can accumulate on the spark plugs.
When spark plugs aren't functioning properly, they can cause your car to perform sluggishly. Faulty spark plugs can lead to a range of issues, including poor fuel economy and difficulty starting the engine. If left unchecked, bad spark plugs can even lead to more expensive repairs, such as replacing the catalytic converter. One of the most common symptoms of bad spark plugs is engine misfires. If a spark plug isn't firing correctly, the engine's combustion process is disrupted, causing the engine to stutter or jerk, especially during acceleration.
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The engine light may turn on
While filling up a car that is running is not necessarily harmful to the vehicle, it can cause the check engine light to illuminate. This is because modern cars are designed to detect even the tiniest gasoline vapour leaks from the fuel tank, fuel lines, and engine. When the nozzle is inserted into the fuel tank, the normally sealed tank is opened, allowing gasoline vapours to escape. The computer in the car detects this vapour leak and turns on the check engine light.
Jonathan Ganther, COO and Founder of Brakes To Go, explains: "While it's not necessarily bad for your car, it could turn that pesky check engine light on. Our cars are designed to detect even the slightest gasoline vapour leaks from the fuel tank, fuel lines, and engine. So why would this leak be detected when filling up? When you stick the nozzle in to fill up, you open the gas tank that is normally sealed, and this allows gasoline vapours to escape. The computer in the vehicle detects a vapour leak and triggers the check engine light."
Lauren Fix, an ASE-certified technician and sector analyst at The Car Coach, agrees that turning off the car is the safest option: "It’s safest to shut off your vehicle to avoid a fire, static electricity or a check engine light."
It is worth noting that while the risk of a fire occurring while refuelling a running car is minimal, it is still a possibility. The increased chance of gas vapours coming into contact with heat or electricity when the engine is running can lead to ignition. Although rare, the consequences of a fire can be catastrophic, so it is always best to take the simple precaution of shutting off the engine before refuelling.
In addition to turning off the vehicle, there are other safety measures that can be followed when refuelling. It is recommended to avoid smoking or vaping near the pump and to stay off cell phones, as they can create static electricity. It is also important to unplug any charging cords or electronic accessories before refuelling, especially if they are worn or damaged, to minimise the electricity flowing through the car's wiring harness.
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The tank can overflow and spill gas
While it may seem convenient to keep your car running while filling up the tank, it is important to understand the risks associated with this practice, particularly the danger of the tank overflowing and spilling gasoline.
The potential for overflow and gas spillage is a critical safety concern when filling up a running car. Gasoline is highly flammable, and any spillage or overflow can pose a significant fire hazard. When the engine is running, the fuel system is actively circulating gas, which means the tank may not accurately gauge the amount of gas entering the tank. This can lead to overfilling, causing gasoline to spill out and create a dangerous situation.
Another factor contributing to the risk of overflow is the variability in the rate of fuel pump dispensers. Different pumps deliver gasoline at varying speeds, and if the tank fills faster than expected, it can easily overflow. This is especially true if the pump's automatic shut-off mechanism fails or is not sensitive enough to stop the flow of gas at the right time.
Spilled gasoline from an overflowing tank can pool around the car and the pump, creating a highly flammable environment. Any ignition source, such as a spark from the car's electrical system or a hot engine component, could potentially ignite the spilled fuel and cause an explosion or fire. This poses a severe threat to the safety of the driver, passengers, and anyone else in the vicinity.
To prevent the risk of overflow and gas spillage, it is crucial to turn off the engine before refueling. This simple step allows for accurate gauging of the tank's capacity and ensures a controlled refueling process. Additionally, it is essential to pay close attention during refueling, monitoring the pump to ensure it shuts off automatically at the appropriate time, helping to keep you and your surroundings safe.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not safe to fill up your car with fuel while the engine is running. While the risk of a fire occurring is minimal, leaving the engine running increases the chances of gas vapors coming into contact with heat or electricity, which can cause ignition.
To avoid the risk of fire when filling up your car with fuel, turn off the engine. It is also recommended to not smoke or vape, and to stay off your cell phone while pumping gas.
Other safety measures you can take include grounding yourself before reaching for the fuel nozzle if you need to re-enter your car. This can be done by touching a metal part of your car with your bare hand after exiting. It is also a good idea to be physically and mentally present while filling up your car, rather than being on your phone or going inside the gas station.
