sink17

How dangerous is this? I have a friend that does it all the time and it always makes me nervous.

I did this with my diesel, but not sure I would do it with a gas truck. What are your guys thoughts on this?

taylori

its safer than smoking while you fill your tank. That's all I'm going to say.

PawPaw

A catalytic converter can get real hot so why take a chance igniting gasoline fumes.

Twisty

Why would you leave it running?

AK49Jeff

I do it in January & February when it's -30 outside.

rgmiller32

Filling the gas tank with the engine running can cause a check engine light on the newer Fords. This causes a trip to the dealer and a possible fee to reset it. The local dealer makes sure to tell you this. They make the point of telling you Ford will not cover this repair/reset under warranty. Labor charge around 1 hour.

BarryL

It's the possible static electricity generated by the truck's systems being on that is the danger. The exhaust and everything stays hot during fueling. That's why they want us to fill portable gas cans on the ground, static discharge can happen if it's in the bed of the truck, not grounded.

jeb99ta

Not as dangerous as it was many years ago because most fuel pumps are internal to the tanks and electrical systems are shielded much better than in lthe past. I wouldn't do it under any circumstance. I been on fire before and never want to experience it again. More so, I don't want to put other families at risk.

Actually, static electricity is more of a risk in the winter with the drier air. Fortunately, though, the fuel vapor is down with the colder air

Below is a quote from another forum, which makes sense IMHO.


'As a firefighter that has been properly trained, I can tell you that the above statement completely is wrong. The intent of shutting off a vehicle while fueling is to eliminate any possible sources of ignition. Gasoline vapor is highly flammable, when in concentrations within its flammable range (not too rich or too lean). Older cars are worse, as the electrical systems are not as isolated as newer cars. The issue is that the vapor that escapes when filling can find a source of ignition and cause a fire. Gas cans need to be placed on the ground and the fuel nozzle needs to be in contact with the can when being filled to discharge any static electricity that builds up during the fueling process. Cars have a "flap" that grounds the fuel nozzle to the car automatically, so no static discharge will occur.'

bubbabud

The static charge is generated by the fuel runing through the hose just like rubbing a balloon over your shirt. as a general rule gasoline vapers are to rich to ignite by spark in the tank but as the vapers escape into the air they lean down and will ignite very easy. I spent several years driving a gas tanker and every time you fill it you must use a ground conection between the hose and the tank. One of the most dangerous things is to put gasoline into a tank that has vapers from a less vollital fuel such as diesel or jet fuel as the vapers mix the mixture will lean down or richen up untill its easyest to ignite. if the engine is running there are multiple soarces of ignition. static from the belts,static from the tires vibrateing, stray ignition system spark or even a hot piece of carbon from the exhaust. Its always best to shut it off. Just a side note a cigarette wil NOT ignite gasoline or vapers the danger is when you lite it in the presence of gas vapers.

p38fln

I noticed my 2011 fuel tank has a true overflow tube - it comes out somewhere under the bed. I had a latched fuel nozzle fail to shut off before, gasoline came through the overflow tube, hit the ground at an impressive pressure, and sprayed all over everything. I waited about 10 minutes before I started the engine, didn't want any problems

I shut the engine off to fuel no matter how cold it is - if it's -30, I'll use the remote starter to start it back up when i go inside to pay. I even go so far as to remove the keys from the ignition if anyone else is in the truck.