Why Should the Engine Be Turned Off When Refueling?
3 Answers
The reason for turning off the engine when refueling is: Gasoline is a flammable substance with volatile properties. When the concentration of gasoline molecules in the air reaches a certain level, even a small spark can potentially cause combustion or an explosion. Vehicles that are not turned off may have sparks at their exhaust pipes or electrical circuit interfaces. For safety considerations, all vehicles entering the station for refueling must turn off their engines. Gasoline is a volatile and flammable hydrocarbon mixture liquid obtained from the fractional distillation, cracking, or pyrolysis of petroleum. It is primarily used as fuel for spark-ignited internal combustion engines and mainly consists of organic compounds derived from crude oil distillation and various additives.
When I first started working at the gas station, I witnessed too many lessons—filling up without turning off the engine is practically playing with fire. When a car's engine is running, the exhaust pipe gets hot enough to fry an egg, and if it meets gasoline vapor at hundreds of degrees, it can ignite instantly. What's even more dangerous is that electrical circuits might produce tiny sparks, and the area around the fuel nozzle is saturated with highly concentrated fuel vapors—even a static spark could be disastrous. Last time, an SUV didn’t turn off its engine, and the owner was playing with their phone inside. Static electricity ignited the fuel mist—luckily, we had a fire extinguisher right at hand. Plus, with the engine running, the car could roll at any moment. Imagine if someone accidentally hit the gas, yanking the nozzle loose and spraying gasoline everywhere—it’s a nightmare scenario. That’s why now, whenever I see someone not turning off their engine, I step in to warn them immediately. Safety is something you just can’t take lightly.
After driving for so many years, what annoys me the most is seeing those reckless idiots who don't turn off their engines while refueling. Last time on the national highway, a beat-up van next to me was chugging away with its engine running, oil dripping from the exhaust pipe. Both the gas station attendant and I were scared and backed far away. Do you know how hot an exhaust pipe gets? A freshly lit cigarette is only about 200 degrees Celsius, while an exhaust pipe can easily reach 400 degrees. Gasoline vapors meeting that heat can turn into a bomb instantly. With the car's generator still running, sparks from aged wiring could be deadly. And if someone accidentally shifts gears while the engine's on, moving wheels could yank the fuel hose apart. I always religiously turn off the engine, pull out the key, open the door to wait outside, and leave a crack in the trunk to vent gasoline fumes. This habit has kept me safe for twenty years.
