while filling up today, i was wondering...
- Thread starter Average Jae
- Start date
Your car relies on having that gas cap on to have a sealed tank, which is why if you let your gas cap off you probably wont be able to start your car and if it does start, you'll have a check engine light.
While it's probably not the most dangerous thing, it's not smart. Semi's can do it becuase they do not have a pressurized tank. You're just risking having the vapor from the pump all around your car while you're pumping gas. What if you spill gas while the car's running, or for some reason the car starts to move while you're pumping gas. When its not running you can stop it from rolling yourself, but when its running you'd be kind of in a bad situation if it starts to move.
While it's probably not the most dangerous thing, it's not smart. Semi's can do it becuase they do not have a pressurized tank. You're just risking having the vapor from the pump all around your car while you're pumping gas. What if you spill gas while the car's running, or for some reason the car starts to move while you're pumping gas. When its not running you can stop it from rolling yourself, but when its running you'd be kind of in a bad situation if it starts to move.
mrferg, don't tell me that in that cold michigan winter night, you stay outside holding the nozzle. ![[:p]](/images/smilies/tongue.png "Stick Out Tongue [:p]")
suppose this question is more for those that fill up w/ full service. (not that i do it) but i remember back in korea, all gas stations are full serv, like NJ? and everyone pretty much keeps their car running while the attendant fills the car up.
epj3, the gas cap deal, is that only for bimmers or for all other cars? cuz i remember this one cold winter night, i drove off from teh gas station w/out closing the cap, and remembered it a little way down the road.. but that didn't prompt a non-start nor a check engine light.
suppose this question is more for those that fill up w/ full service. (not that i do it) but i remember back in korea, all gas stations are full serv, like NJ? and everyone pretty much keeps their car running while the attendant fills the car up.
epj3, the gas cap deal, is that only for bimmers or for all other cars? cuz i remember this one cold winter night, i drove off from teh gas station w/out closing the cap, and remembered it a little way down the road.. but that didn't prompt a non-start nor a check engine light.
That gas cap deal is for all OBD II ('96 +) cars. Just to be safe, manufacturers recommend that you shut off vehicle -
but just to help idiot proof the process, have you ever noticed that the fuel filler door is located on the oppisite side as the tail pipe (trying to keep ignition source away from fuel)?
(This isn't counting the '80's and older cars with gas cap behind the pull down license plates)
but just to help idiot proof the process, have you ever noticed that the fuel filler door is located on the oppisite side as the tail pipe (trying to keep ignition source away from fuel)?
(This isn't counting the '80's and older cars with gas cap behind the pull down license plates)
![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
I know about all those stories like vapor, tranny slipping into gear, etc. But the main reason I shut it off before pumping, I'm cheap with the gas. Those few drops that the engine is burning could be better spent moving me. I even shake the nozzle to catch those last few drops. Stems from back in high school when I had no money for gas so every drop was precious.
I'm all for shaking the nozzle for those last few drops! (it just seems like the last drop goes down my leg anyway)
It is cheaper/easier on the car to leave it running for a fill-up than shutting it off and restarting idle uses hardly any gas, starting uses just as much, and I think every time you hit the starter is more wear and tear on it and engine.
(here come the flames...)
-Mel
I only fill up on long trips anyway-I can't see hauling all the extra weight around every day, I usually run between 1/3-2/3 tank of gas. Gas is heavy!
It is cheaper/easier on the car to leave it running for a fill-up than shutting it off and restarting idle uses hardly any gas, starting uses just as much, and I think every time you hit the starter is more wear and tear on it and engine.
(here come the flames...)
-Mel
I only fill up on long trips anyway-I can't see hauling all the extra weight around every day, I usually run between 1/3-2/3 tank of gas. Gas is heavy!
Weighs about 6 pounds a gallon... you're talking no more than maybe 40 or 50 pounds your saving which isnt that big of a difference.
I cant believe people actually let your car running while you fill up!! There are 10000 reasons not too, and your starter was MADE TO START YOUR CAR!!! Why would you be worried about using it to start the car ONE TIME?!? Its not like you're using the starter to move the car itself or something it wasn't designed for.
My car still has the factory original starter!! 16 years old and 172k miles.... starts the car faster than any of our newer cars.
I cant believe people actually let your car running while you fill up!! There are 10000 reasons not too, and your starter was MADE TO START YOUR CAR!!! Why would you be worried about using it to start the car ONE TIME?!? Its not like you're using the starter to move the car itself or something it wasn't designed for.
My car still has the factory original starter!! 16 years old and 172k miles.... starts the car faster than any of our newer cars.
Also I dont understand why you would put yourself in danger like that... gas fumes are what your engine runs off of, and its what you smell when you put fuel in your car. It's not the gasoline itself (in liquid form) that will be the problem, but the gas fumes coming from that nozzle itself that can go all over the place. I'd still like to see your face if your car slips into gear, moves, rips the hose off the pump and starts spilling 10 gallons/minute of gas over your face.
