What to Do If You Forget to Turn Off the Engine While Refueling Occasionally?

[DiKai]

Forgetting to turn off the engine while refueling even once can easily cause a fire, so it's important to be cautious. It's essential to understand that when a car is idling, the engine runs at high RPM, and friction can generate static electricity. When the fuel vapor reaches a certain concentration and encounters static electricity or sparks, it can ignite. Moreover, gasoline burns extremely quickly, making the fire difficult to control once it spreads. Below are the relevant details: 1. Risks of forgetting to turn off the engine while refueling: (1) Since the vehicle's engine is running at high speed, friction can create static electricity. If a short circuit occurs, it can ignite flammable gases, leading to rapid combustion that is hard to extinguish. (2) The exhaust pipe of an idling car can reach temperatures of several hundred degrees Celsius. If gasoline drips near the tailpipe during refueling, it will evaporate quickly upon contact with the high temperature and may ignite if it reaches the flash point. (3) If the engine is not turned off, the fuel pump continues to operate, generating numerous bubbles in the fuel tank. As more fuel is added, flammable gases may escape. If there are sparks nearby, these gases can ignite. Self-rescue methods if a fire starts due to forgetting to turn off the engine: (1) If the fire is small, quickly retrieve the dry powder fire extinguisher from the vehicle and aim at the base of the fire to extinguish it. (2) If the fire is large, seek help from gas station staff and call 119 for fire assistance. Others should evacuate the scene immediately to prevent secondary injuries from a potential vehicle explosion. (3) If your clothing catches fire and no other firefighting materials are available, immediately roll on the ground to smother the flames, remove any clothing with sparks, and reach a water source as soon as possible.

[Gail]

I've also experienced forgetting to turn off the engine while refueling. That time, I just got off work feeling exhausted. After parking, I immediately started refueling. The attendant rushed over, knocked on my window and shouted at me to turn off the engine, which startled me into a flurry of panic. They explained that when the engine is running, the exhaust pipe temperature can reach several hundred degrees, and there are volatile gasoline vapors near the fuel tank. The slightest carelessness could trigger an explosion. Now I've developed a habit: after parking, I shift to P gear, engage the handbrake, and always turn off the engine before unbuckling the seatbelt. If you really forget, don't panic - first turn off the engine, then remove the fuel nozzle, and carefully check for any gasoline leaks on the ground. Finally, remember to check the dashboard for warning lights after restarting - generally one occasional mistake won't harm the car. Safety is not something to be careless about. I recommend setting a 'turn off engine when refueling' reminder alarm on your phone!

[LaKhloe]

From a maintenance perspective, occasionally forgetting to turn off the engine won't cause significant harm to the car. I've seen many careless owners leave their engines idling for up to twenty minutes without causing engine failure. However, doing this long-term can lead to two potential issues: accelerated carbon buildup in the engine and oil dilution, especially when the engine is cold. It's crucial to check for gasoline vapor leaks near the fuel filler neck, as high-temperature components in the engine bay and static electricity can easily ignite fumes. Before refueling next time, develop a 'four-step check routine': shift to neutral, engage the parking brake, turn off the AC and radio, switch off the ignition, and only then open the car door. If you do encounter a situation where the engine wasn't turned off, it's advisable to wait about five minutes before restarting to allow fuel vapors to dissipate.

[Melo]

New drivers often make this mistake. Last year, my cousin didn’t turn off the engine while refueling, and the fuel nozzle was already inserted before he was reminded. The safety rules are actually simple: a running engine means the exhaust pipe continuously emits high-temperature exhaust gases, and the concentration of gasoline vapor is high during refueling—equivalent to playing with a lighter next to a powder keg. The solution is easy: first, turn off the engine and don’t move the car, don’t rush to remove the fuel nozzle, wait for three minutes on the spot to allow air circulation. After that, refuel normally, start the engine, and check if there’s any strange smell or black smoke from the exhaust pipe. Next time, develop a conditioned reflex: reach for the keys when you see the gas station canopy. Sticking a 'Turn Off Engine' note on the steering wheel also works well.