What damage does refueling without turning off the engine cause to the car?
3 Answers
Refueling without turning off the engine generally does not cause any adverse consequences to the vehicle, but it poses certain safety hazards. The vehicle's electrical equipment remains operational, and the engine is running at high temperatures. If there is any electrical leakage, it could potentially lead to a fire. Therefore, when refueling the car, it is essential to remember to turn off the engine and power, and only restart the vehicle after refueling is complete and the fuel tank cap is securely closed. Below is more information on refueling precautions: 1. Never refuel the car before turning off the engine. 2. If the attendant has not turned off the fuel nozzle, the driver must never start the car, as this could easily cause a fire. 3. It is best not to refuel during thunderstorms. This is also a safety consideration to prevent lightning strikes and avoid fires. Since automotive fuel is highly flammable, during refueling, flammable fuel vapors can easily disperse into the surrounding air. If struck by lightning, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Last time I went to refuel my car and forgot to turn off the engine, it almost caused a major accident! When the engine is running, the spark plugs keep firing continuously. If there's any fuel leakage from the nozzle or contact with gasoline vapors, it can instantly ignite and cause an explosion - the risk is extremely high. Additionally, the engine inhaling gasoline vapors can easily clog sensors or the catalytic converter, triggering fault codes. Long-term operation like this will degrade the car's performance, and my mechanic told me it can also cause short circuits in internal wiring. The key issue is that this habit is extremely dangerous - it not only damages the vehicle but also endangers lives. I've seen news reports where entire cars caught fire, all starting from this small oversight. Make it a habit to turn off the engine before refueling, wait until the engine completely stops - safety first can also save you repair costs.
From my auto repair experience, refueling without turning off the engine causes significant damage: The running engine generates high heat, making fuel tank vapors prone to explosion or ignition when exposed to heat; Internal components like spark plugs and oxygen sensors get contaminated by gasoline, leading to burnout and replacement over time. Worse still, the battery system may produce electrical sparks during operation, increasing fire risks. Additionally, unstable fuel pump pressure disrupts air-fuel mixture balance, affecting power output. Don't skip this step - shut off the engine to reduce risks and protect components.
