The Surprising Reason Why Drivers Re-Enter Their Cars At The Pump

Gas vapors are flammable and can ignite from a static shock spark. People get back in their cars when fueling to play with their phones and fail to discharge static when exiting.

Gas vapors are flammable

Gas vapors are incredibly flammable. Hundreds of gas station fires a year are started because someone caused an ignition event while they were filling their tank. On dry days when the static electricity is high, just getting back into your car while the tank is filling, then getting out again when it's done can be enough to generate a spark that starts a fire. Vapors can ignite from a static shock spark, although rare. The issue anymore is people will hop back in their car to play with their phone while filling up, and fail to discharge static when exiting. Gas stations are dangerous places, and it is important to be aware of the risks involved in refueling your car.

Static electricity can cause a spark

Gas vapors are incredibly flammable. Hundreds of gas station fires a year are started because someone caused an ignition event while they were filling their tank. On dry days when the static electricity is high, just getting back into your car while the tank is filling, then getting out again when it's done can be enough to generate a spark that starts a fire.

Gas station attendants used to keep their engines running while their car was being refueled. Many people believe this safety warning only applies to older cars. Gas station attendants do not believe this to be true.

Gas station attendants try to remember to ground themselves on the pump before touching the nozzle when it is in the car and do not usually get back in the car while it is filling.

Fumes can ignite from a static shock spark, although rare. The issue anymore is people will hop back in their car to play with their phone while filling up, and fail to discharge static when exiting.

Gas station attendants try to remember to ground themselves on the pump before touching the nozzle when it is in the car and do not usually get back in the car while it is filling.

Fumes can ignite from a static shock spark

Gas vapors are incredibly flammable and hundreds of gas station fires a year are started because someone caused an ignition event while they were filling their tank. On dry days when the static electricity is high, just getting back into your car while the tank is filling, then getting out again when it's done can be enough to generate a spark that starts a fire.

Gas stations are dangerous places and it is important to remember that you should never get back in your car while it is fueling.

Gas stations are dangerous places and it is important to remember that you should never get back in your car while it is fueling.

Gas stations are dangerous places and it is important to remember that you should never get back in your car while it is fueling.

People play with their phones while filling up

Gas vapors are incredibly flammable. Hundreds of gas station fires a year are started because someone caused an ignition event while they were filling their tank. On dry days when the static electricity is high, just getting back into your car while the tank is filling, then getting out again when it's done can be enough to generate a spark that starts a fire.

Fumes can ignite from a static shock spark, although rare. The issue is that people will hop back in their car to play with their phone while filling up, and fail to discharge static when exiting.

Many people believe this safety warning only applies to older cars. Back in the days when I pumped gas for a gas station, it was common for customers to keep their engines running while their car was being refueled. Never saw a problem.

I'm not worried about cell phone danger but I try to remember to ground myself on the pump before touching the nozzle when it is in the car and I don't usually get back in the car while it is filling.

Gas station fires are common

Vaporized gas is incredibly flammable and there are always gas vapors lurking around during fueling. Fumes can ignite from a static shock spark, although rare. The issue anymore is people will hop back in their car to play with their phone while filling up, and fail to discharge static when exiting.

Many people believe this safety warning only applies to older cars. Back in the days when I pumped gas for a gas station, it was common for customers to keep their engines running while their car was being refueled. Never saw a problem.

Vaporized gas is incredibly flammable and there are always gas vapors lurking around during fueling. Fumes can ignite from a static shock spark, although rare. The issue anymore is people will hop back in their car to play with their phone while filling up, and fail to discharge static when exiting.

Many people believe this safety warning only applies to older cars. Back in the days when I pumped gas for a gas station, it was common for customers to keep their engines running while their car was being refueled. Never saw a problem.

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