What happens if you refuel a car without turning off the engine?
1 Answers
When a car is not turned off, the operation of its instruments and equipment generates a significant amount of heat. This causes the gasoline inside the vehicle to evaporate more quickly, increasing the concentration of the fuel-air mixture near the fuel tank. Since this mixture is denser than air, it does not disperse easily. When the concentration of fuel vapor reaches a certain level, any spark produced by the running engine could potentially ignite and cause an explosion. Additionally, while the vehicle is running, the exhaust pipe continues to emit waste gases. Not only is the exhaust pipe extremely hot, but it may also emit sparks, which can pose a risk of igniting the gasoline. Below are some precautions to take when refueling: 1. At gas stations, smoking, making phone calls, refueling with the engine running, and slapping synthetic fiber clothing (which can generate static electricity) are all prohibited. 2. Smoking involves an open flame, so even if you remain in the car, you should extinguish any cigarettes. Phone calls can interfere with the electronic equipment at gas stations or generate electronic friction that may ignite fuel vapors. Besides open flames, gas stations are also wary of static electricity, which is most likely to be generated by synthetic fiber clothing. Therefore, avoid slapping your clothes while refueling.
