We’ve all probably left our vehicle running while we fill up with gas, so we don’t have to get in a heated or cold car… Is it OK to pump gas with the car on? Is this a legal practice to consider?
In this article, I highlight the reasons why you should shut off your vehicle while fueling up, as well as some other safe practices while at the pump.
Can You Pump Gas with the Car On?
No. While it is possible to gas up with your car on, it is not safe. When the engine is running, the vapors it produces provide the ideal environment for combustion.
If combustion happens, a fire can ignite and spread quickly. Gas combusts easily – whether by a spark or static electricity.
Is it common for this to happen? No, but why take the risk? Besides, the gas station requires you to turn off your engine.
There are signs at every pump. If you don’t shut off your car, you are liable if anything happened. For that reason, it is safest to leave your car off when pumping gas.
The fuel vapor system (EVAPorative Control System) is a closed system, and when you allow your car engine to run while pumping gas, the result could be a check engine light on your dash associated with a P0455 trouble code.
Is It Illegal to Pump Gas with the Car Running?
According to US law you should never leave your car running while filling up with fuel. In fact, most states forcibly adopt the international fire code, instituted by the ICC, which states:
“2305.4 Sources of Ignition. Smoking and open flames shall be prohibited in areas in which fuel is dispensed. The engines of vehicles being fueled shall be shut off during fueling. Electrical equipment shall be in accordance with NFPA 70.”
For this reason alone, you should be shutting off your vehicle when you pull into a gas station. Otherwise, local law enforcement might issue you an infraction—even if it’s not common!
Other Important Gas Station Rules
#1. Watch Pump.
When you are at the pump, you are required to stay there for the duration of your fill-up. Sure, it is easy to set the locking mechanism on the pump to hold the spigot open while you fuel, and this makes it a hands-free experience, but you should never walk away.
Sure, the mechanism shuts off when the tank is full, but nothing is fail-proof. It could be faulty and begin spilling gas all over the ground. Do not leave to use the bathroom, get something to drink, or do anything else. It will only take a moment, and you can wait.
#2. No Smoking.
As I mentioned before, you do not want any kind of spark to occur while filling up the gas tank. So again, it should go without saying that you do not smoke while filling up gas.
There are warnings everywhere on the gas pumps about smoking while pumping gas. That small flick from a cigarette can cause the gas to spontaneously combust, so, again, do not take the chance.
#3. No Children.
While running errands and visiting the fuel station sometimes you have your children or pets. While it is easy to understand why, they are once again not allowed out of the vehicle.
Do not allow your children to hang out around the gas pumps, and do not take your pets out until you are in some sort of designated area for them.
If for some reason your children or pets knock a nozzle out of place while they are filling, the fuel will spray. This may cause the station operator to engage the panic button to shut-off the fuel.
If your children want to get out of the vehicle, wait until you pull away from the pump before you let them out. You can park and take your bathroom or drink break elsewhere.
#4. Approved Gas Cans.
When you fill a gas can at the pump you must use an approved container. However, it must be an approved container used for the fuel you are putting inside of it.
Gas cans are color-coded. You use red for gasoline, yellow for diesel fuel, and blue to fill up kerosene. If you have a green can that is designed to hold oil.
OSHA states that the purpose of color coding containers is to make it easier to identify the right one in a row for fast identification, you do not want to fill the wrong type of container.
Otherwise, you may not remember what you were grabbing for in your shed when you finally need to use it.
Also, never use anything other than a container designed to hold fuel. Do not take a plastic barrel or plastic bags to the pump to fill them with fuel. It is very dangerous.
How to Pump Gas – Simple Steps
If you are just learning how to fuel a car, these steps should make your experience simple.
- Pull up to the gas pump with the gas cap on the right side or left side.
- Pull in close until the gas cap is in line with the pump nozzle.
- Turn off the car engine.
- If your car has a gas door, press the button to open it.
- Unscrew the cap and hang it on the door or on the nozzle holder.
- Pick the right nozzle for your fuel type and press the button to begin filling.
- Insert the nozzle into the tank and squeeze the lever.
- Watch the meter rise as the fuel fills the tank.
- Release the lever in order to stop pumping, if not it will stop when the tank is full.
- Place the nozzle back in its holder.
- Screw the cap back on and close the gas door or flap.
- Drive away slow.
If you are paying at the pump, insert your debit or credit card before you fill up. If not, be sure to give cash with the attendant prior to fueling your car.