Is It Safe to Store Gasoline in an Iron Drum in the Trunk?
3 Answers
Gasoline requires careful handling no matter where it is stored. While drivers often keep spare gasoline in the trunk, it is generally not recommended. Below are additional details: Composition: Storing gasoline in the trunk, especially in plastic containers, is unsafe. Gasoline stored in plastic containers inside the trunk poses significant hazards. Plastic containers are made from high-molecular insulating materials such as polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride. Reason: Gasoline is classified as a Class A flammable liquid with a flash point below 28°C and a lower explosive limit under 10%. When gasoline is stored in plastic containers, the friction between the gasoline and the container walls during filling, pouring, or vibration can generate electron movement due to contact potential difference, leading to the accumulation of positive and negative charges and the production of static electricity. If gasoline must be stored in the trunk, it should be placed in a sealed iron drum, and the temperature inside the trunk should be monitored.
I've seen this happen when working at repair shops, and I genuinely don't recommend keeping gasoline in metal cans in the trunk. Gasoline is highly volatile, and summer temperatures inside a car can soar to 50-60°C. The metal can walls heat up rapidly under direct sunlight, causing internal pressure to spike dramatically. If the seal fails or a collision generates sparks, it can trigger an explosion instantly. Once, a tow truck brought in a wrecked car that caught fire entirely due to a leaking gasoline can in the trunk. Ordinary plastic containers are even worse—static electricity alone can ignite the vapor. If you must carry a small amount of gasoline for emergencies, use a dedicated safety fuel canister and ensure it's securely fastened to prevent rolling. It's simply not worth risking safety to save a few bucks on fuel.
I learned my lesson the hard way. Last year during a road trip, I tried to save trouble by carrying 10 liters of gasoline in an iron barrel in the trunk. The rough mountain roads caused the barrel lid to loosen. When I stopped to rest, I smelled strong gasoline fumes and immediately opened the windows for ventilation—gasoline vapor meeting an open flame would have been disastrous. After researching at home, I discovered that gasoline vapor concentrations between 1.3% and 7.6% in an enclosed space can cause an explosion. Just one liter of gasoline can turn an entire car into a bomb chamber. Now I only use proper gas stations and never carry gasoline in barrels, no matter how urgent the situation.
