The manual says you need to turn the car off when you get gas. So, if you push the stop button, the car turns off but the radio stays on. If I wanted the car to be totally off, not on accessory mode, do I have to eject the key? Or is there another way to turn the car off totally while keeping the key in the slot?

 

I don't know about you, but I would never leave my key in the ignition while I pump gas. Too easy for someone to steal.

 

I assume you have the keyless start. If so you need to push the stop button again to turn it off completely.

 

Big ditto! I even open the gas lid and then lock the doors while I'm pumping gas. I heard stories about people slipping into your passenger seat and then trying to kill you without you noticing. It happened a couple times around here - or so says the newspapers.

 

More accurately, the engine should be off when you refuel. Whether you leave the key in or not, or accessories on or off doesn't matter for refueling.

 

Mythbusters busted the myth. Nothing you do can cause explosion at the gas station-cell phone, static spark, or running engine or a bullet through the gas tank. None of those will make it explode. I have personally seen someone refuel with the engine running.

 

Except that the Owner's Manual says: "Always switch off the engine before refueling; otherwise no fuel can be added to the tank and the SERVICE ENGINE SOON lamp may come on." I don't know whether they actually close off some kind of valve or just keep the filler lid locked.

 

If the gas cap isn't tight and it's running, the engine will probably throw a check engine lite. Happens in lots of other new cars, so I assume (yea, I know) that a mini will do the same. Usually it'll reset itself after a few restarts.

Frankly, there's less chance of something weird happening if the car's off.

 

If I saw someone fuelling with the engine running.... I would start running in the opposite direction!

Take the key out, put it in your pocket and then get your gas. I lock my everytime. It's way too easy for some crook to open the door grab your laptop etc, jump in their car and drive off. Also, why test whether or not you are going to blow up? I would rather be safe and not sorry with 3rd degree burns.

 

Oh... on the fuel cap thing...

The tank becomes slightly pressurized when you start driving if the sensor doesn't pick up this pressure it's reported as a fault and the engine light comes on.

 

"Mythbusters busted the myth. Nothing you do can cause explosion at the gas station-cell phone, static spark, or running engine or a bullet through the gas tank. None of those will make it explode. I have personally seen someone refuel with the engine running."

Uh...yeah.

Ask this guy.

http://www.unoriginal.co.uk/footage32_4.html

 

Turning the car off while refueling is a good idea, but IMO the chance of causing a fire or explosion solely due to gassing up with the engine running is extremely close to zero...still, I don't see why you wouldn't turn off the engine.

It never even occured to me that I should take the key out while I'm refueling. Living in a small town does have a few advantages I suppose.

Back before "self-service" gas some of the trained, (yeah, right), gas station attendants used to pump gas while smoking a cigarette.

 

It is illegal is leave your car running while fueling, here. It is also illegal to leave your keys in the car when you are not in the car. It is also illegal to leave your car running while the driver is not in the car.

Most of this is state or city imposed due to the many times a parent leaves the vehicle unattended (running, or no0t running with the keys in the vehicle) with a child in the vehicle.

 

Just to clear things up, I live in NJ. An attendant pumps the gas for me while I sit in the car. So having the key in the slot isn't an issue as far as the car being stolen. I just wondered if there was a way to turn the car all the way off without ejecting the key, i.e. the radio goes off as well. I wasn't asking if I should turn the car off....I know that. It's in my post.

I don't have the keyless start. That's why I asked about ejecting the key.

 

Oh yes "static spark" can and does cause fires every year ,

 

I've seen someone drive off a cliff and walk away from a 30 foot dropoff as well...does that mean you should do it?

 

People don't realize that in NJ its law that they fuel the car for you - no such thing as self serve in the state.

But I always get out and check that they got the cap on all the way.

 

Same w/ Oregon... highly 'trained' individuals...

trained to hold their palm out and expect a tip that is

 

You tip the attendant in Oregon? I've never heard of that being done in NJ.

 

True - air or any other fluid passing through a hose will generate a static charge. And the thing to remember is that this will happen whether the car is running or not. It doesn't even matter if the igntion's on or off. Fortunately, static safety while gassing up your car is pretty straightforward. Keep the nozzle in contact with the filler neck until you've stopped pumping (this is pretty much common-sense anyway, to prevent spills). Also, keep gas containers on the ground while you're filling them (especially metal containers).

 

Luckily i live in NJ and don't have to get out of my car to fuel up.

 

Actually, what they busted was the cell phone nad bullet through the gas tank.

They did not bust the static spark. That one is well-documented.

http://www.pei.org/static/
See also http://www.pei.org/static/fire_reports.htm

 

I have seen actual video footage of someone setting their car and themself on fire while gassing up. The most dangerous scenario is if you begin fueling, set the nozzle lock and get back in your vehicle (for example in cold weather), then get back out of the car. The static discharge is enough to spark the fumes escaping from the filler and set the vehicle on fire. In the videos I have seen, the people involved have panicked, pulled the nozzle out while still depressed and sprayed flaming gas all over themselves and their car. Not a pretty site. That is why every fuel pump has a warning that states "Do not leave fuel nozzle unattended" and why there are no more nozzle locks in Canada.

 

One thing I would like to add to this discussion. True cell phones and bullets thru your gas tank may not ignite the fuel. But, remeber kids, liquid gas does not catch fire or even blow up, it's the vapors that do. But, as mentioned above a static spark can ignite the vapors that rise from a fuel tank. Often it has been found that the simple act of sliding out of the seat of your car can produce enough of a static charge to ignite fuel vapors. The safest way to prevent this is to touch your car again after you have gotten out of your vehicle, to emit the static electricity that was just "created". Once you have done this, you can be pretty close to certain that you have emitted any charge your body may have stored up, and it is then safe to grab for the fuel pump.

And yeah you could go ahead and say something like "well, bu bu bu Mythbusters"....uh huh, just keep on saying that while you are getting your 3rd degree burns taken care of. If you have ever seen a burn victim, you will do EVERYTHING in your power to never have that happen to you.

Better to be safe than sorry...

 

I can't believe someone would actually believe a spark (static or otherwise) won't ignite gasoline fumes. What the heck do they think a spark plug does in an internal combustion engine. All you need is the right mixture with oxygen.

Of course, ever once in a while you read of someone using a cigarette lighter to see if there is any gas in the tank. It's happened.