Why is it not advisable to refuel during rainy days?
3 Answers
Refueling during rainy days can easily lead to various safety hazards. Here is a detailed introduction to the dangers of refueling during rainy days: 1. Hazard: During thunderstorms, the fuel nozzle may introduce stray currents into the car's fuel tank, causing unstable gasoline molecules to move more violently, which can lead to potential safety hazards such as fires and explosions. Currently, some gas stations voluntarily stop refueling during thunderstorms. 2. Others: Some car owners still choose to refuel at self-service fuel dispensers. Under normal circumstances, the concentration of fuel vapor at gas stations is significantly higher than in other places. Refueling during thunderstorms makes it easy for fuel vapor to be struck by lightning, leading to explosions in vehicles and fuel tanks.
I think refueling on rainy days is not suitable, mainly because safety issues are too prominent. Think about it, gasoline vapor is easily ignited during refueling. Although the air is humid on rainy days, static electricity accumulated on the human body or the car body is not easily dissipated. If you accidentally touch the fuel nozzle and discharge, that lightning-like spark can cause a fire or explosion, which is highly risky. Additionally, rainwater may splash into the fuel tank or nozzle. Even a small amount of water mixed with gasoline can contaminate the fuel and affect engine performance. Doing this long-term can cause problems for the car. Moreover, the ground is slippery, and if you get out of the car in a raincoat to operate the pump, you might slip and injure yourself. Therefore, I recommend avoiding refueling in the rain whenever possible. If it's absolutely necessary, choose a station with a canopy and be careful to operate steadily. It's also good to develop a habit of checking the weather forecast and refueling in advance for safety and peace of mind.
From a physics perspective, refueling on rainy days is indeed not recommended. Gasoline and water are completely immiscible, so rainwater entering the fuel tank will float on top, leading to incomplete combustion, increased carbon deposits, and reduced engine efficiency. Moreover, despite the high humidity, the risk of static electricity remains unchanged. The movement of the human body can generate electric charges, and a discharge at the right moment could ignite gasoline vapors, incidents of which are frequently reported. I recall seeing experimental data once showing that static electricity during refueling can reach thousands of volts, and raindrops make the environment even more complex. Additionally, opening the fuel tank cap allows moisture to intrude, affecting fuel purity. To me, avoiding these troubles is simple: wait until the rain stops or operate indoors. Developing this habit can extend your vehicle's lifespan.
