Is it dangerous to drive away without turning off the lights while refueling?
4 Answers
Driving away without turning off the lights while refueling is not dangerous. Lights should be turned off when refueling: Refueling without turning off the lights poses significant safety hazards. Every gas station has strict regulations requiring vehicles to turn off their lights during refueling. This is because starting a car generates electrical current, and if there is any leakage, it could lead to serious consequences. Refueling precautions: Smoking or using mobile phones is prohibited while refueling. Even a small spark could result in very serious consequences. Therefore, it is essential to strictly follow the relevant regulations of the gas station when refueling, as this protects both others and yourself.
I remember last time I went to refuel, I almost forgot to turn off the engine too. Driving away with the car still running is indeed very dangerous. The gas station staff were panicked because the exhaust pipe of a running engine is extremely hot and can easily ignite surrounding gasoline vapors. If gasoline drips onto high-temperature components, it can instantly cause a fire or explosion. Moreover, if the fuel nozzle isn't removed while the vehicle is moving, it could tear the fuel hose, causing a large-scale leak—a scenario too frightening to imagine. Next time, I must remember to turn off the engine and engage the handbrake while refueling, and only start the car after the fuel nozzle is completely retracted. Safety is not something to be careless about. Just look at the gas station accidents in the news—most of them are caused by such negligence.
I know a veteran taxi driver who mentioned how extremely dangerous this is. Leaving the car running while refueling can cause sparks from the engine to ignite gasoline vapors, turning the gas station into an inferno in an instant. Moreover, the fuel nozzle is still left in the tank, and if the hose gets yanked off, gasoline sprays out like a fountain, covering everything within several meters with flammable liquid. Not to mention if the attendant's hand doesn't get pulled out in time—the consequences would be unthinkable. If caught on surveillance, the gas station would immediately call the police for such reckless behavior. Always remember to turn off the engine when refueling, ensure the nozzle is completely removed before leaving, and take responsibility for yourself and others.
Our driving school instructors have repeatedly emphasized this. A running engine that hasn't been turned off can heat the exhaust pipe to over 600 degrees Celsius. Gasoline vapor released during refueling can turn into a fireball in just 0.1 seconds when exposed to this temperature. If you drive off without removing the fuel nozzle and the gas tank cap isn't even closed, gasoline can spill directly onto the scorching hot exhaust pipe, causing flames to shoot up higher than the car in an instant. That's exactly what caused the gas station explosion in the suburbs last year. Don't be afraid of the hassle when refueling—turn off the engine, engage the handbrake, wait five seconds, and only depart after the fuel nozzle is properly returned.
