Mythbusters tested out cell phones starting fires while pumping gas, and it’s not a thing that happens with normal use.
The expert they had on the episode explained most fires that begin while pumping are from static discharge. It’s even more likely to happen if you get back into your car while the pump runs and then get back out when it’s done, as doing that can increase your static charge
I know cars really don’t need more complexity, but I am surprised we haven’t implemented a function that if there is a pump pumping gas into the tank that the car won’t turn on the first time but rather alert you something is in the tank. Maybe make it so it only warns the first time, and then if you try to start it a second time it will start so if your gas cap has an issue you can still go get a new gas cap, but I have seen many a tired person on road trips accidentally turn the car on while pumping gas.
That said, the amount of other cars that get started next to you pumping gas and fires don’t start seems to indicate the chance of a fire starting from a car being started must be low. Like it can’t be uncommon for the distance between your pumping gas fumes and the car engine on the other side of the pump is about as close as the engine of your actual vehicle.
Your sensor would certainly help minimize the number of people driving off with the pump still attached.
Turn off your cellphone? Is this a thing you’re supposed to do? The car, I understand. Filling a running vehicle is just plain dangerous, but what does a phone interfere with?
It doesn’t “interfere” with anything, they just want you paying attention to the torrent of highly flammable liquid and vapour in your hand.
Some people, like my partner (sorry honey but…) have very poor situational awareness in general, and it plummets to significantly less than nil when they’re on the phone.
I can absolutely imagine someone spraying fuel everywhere, or lighting a cigarette, or some other bullshit because theyre talking on the phone.
I suppose the other missing piece for me is the idea that you need your phone in your hand while pumping gas. It’s a 30 second task that should generally keep your attention anyways.
a phone can short, generate static or ignite from a bad battery.
In China maybe, or that whole Samsung year of exploding batteries once
Once went on a trip with my uncle. He was drinking a can of beer while driving us around. Pulled up to a pump and gets out and starts pumping gas. After a minute I realize he never turned off the truck. Apparently left it running every time.
You can do that with modern cars, the risk is essentially zero. It’s more dangerous to not ensure you’re statically discharged / not get in and out of the car
But you really shouldn’t, as the evaporative emissions system isn’t designed for that.
Modern vehicles use a charcoal canister open to atmosphere to absorb gasoline vapors as they exit the tank when the car is off. They do this through a purge valve that opens only when the engine is off. When the engine is running, the purge valve closes and a second valve opens sucking gasoline vapors into the intake manifold vacuum, where they can be easily burned by the engine.By refuelling with the engine on this purge valve is closed and you risk ejecting a stream of extra gasoline into the engine (depending on the quality of the evap system and whether it can detect tank pressure changes to open the purge valve). Have had this happen on older cars where the engine wouldn’t run after refuelling because the manifold valve wouldn’t close and it just filled the intake with liquid gas, flooding out the engine.
I don’t think my dad has ever turned off his car at the pump
I usually just leave mine in the car.
I do wonder how much of a difference it makes, especially considering that iphones are able to continue sending out pings for Find My even when fully shut off. I figure the biggest risk would be like plugging/unplugging a connector.
There are much greater ignition hazards at a gas station though, like people leaving their engines on, filling improper containers, reentering the vehicle while filling, smoking / vaping, etc. It’ll say not to do all that, but people don’t care there eiher.
I use my phone to pay so I never have to use my card at the pump (or in the store).
Because they cant
Similarly a cigatte isnt hot enough to light petrol either
A cigarette can light petrol fumes though!
And they can light petrol.
The possibilities are endless.
I mean, what’s the worst that could happen /s
Just leave it in the car. Why turn it off?
The worst is starting the pump a leaving it to go into the gas station. If I see that, I walk over and push or flip whatever to end the transaction. Don’t touch the handle or their car. Just leave it there. I’ve only seen one guy restart the pump. Mostly they just look confused and leave.
Move to NL, we dont have locks on our gas hoses, so when you let go it stops
You know it is illegal to pump your own gas in New Jersey. One guy puts the pumps in the cars, starts them and then goes to the next car that pulls in. Comes back to your car when he hears the click that it is done.
