Does anyone have any issues on a car with the stock emissions filling up the tank while the car is still running? I believe it's illegal but it's hot in Florida and hate getting back in the car when it's 96 degrees F outside.

 

i do it all the time in all my cars.... daily drivers and race kars to include both FDs. no issues to report.

 

I feel your pain, just roll down your windows. It will be cooler than leaving them up and the car off, you won't melt. If you are headed out to work or somewhere nice, just get fuel before you get cleaned up. It's best to not smell like gas anyway.

I am sure there was good reason to not fill when the car is running. Engineers will know for sure. It does seem as useful a rule as not using a cell phone while filling. Or smoking for the matter, as long as there isn't an open flame. I think you are good to go. Roast me if you wish, I am here to learn.

 

from what i understand.... its a left over rule back from when cars used to backfire on their own. could be a myth but its the lore that i hear circulating. i cant think of any unsafe reason to turn the car off so i dont. in the RX7s, i leave them on because i dont like the short off/on cycle. the cars start everytime but i don't like it.

 

Yeah.... I forgot about the flooding issues some have, good point, no use getting stranded with a car that doesn't always start. Thanks!

I suppose i have a thing or two to learn about engine wear as well.

 

Okay, good to know someone else has done it, that's pretty much all I wanted to know. Also I'll be taking my car to your shop this fall when the weather gets colder @FDAUTO . I would like to get it on the dyno and see what kind of power I'm making at the wheel. I have the Power FC Master and saw you wanted to check it out. I'd be happy to show you. I been doing tuning sessions on my car with the autotune feature. I'm still breaking in my crate motor with 700 miles left to go, anyways I'm on a rant, just wanted to say I'll be making an appointment soon.

 

Florida law does not say you’re not allowed to pump gas while engine is running but the law does indicate that you are not allowed to leave your vehicle running and unoccupied.
So, the two coming together.... pretty much says once you get out of your car, you should be shutting it off.
I'm guilty to cause.... I sometimes pump gas while the engines running.

Steve

 

I leave all my cars running when I get gas.

 

I don't think its emissions related. I think its safety. The worry of a spill and/or ignition. I remember doing a report on this in high school (which was a long time ago so things may have changed over the years) but from what I remember, they don't want you to leave the pump while it is pumping in case there is a spill which is understandable. Additionally, the misunderstood ignition part. If you leave your car running which many do as you stated, its to keep the car cold during the summer or where I grew up in Colorado, to keep your heater going and warm in the Winter. The largest risk isn't from the car actually running like what people assume, its the attraction of the driver to the cockpit that is the real threat. When people slide in and out of their cars they can build up static electricity. Then when they go to grab the nozzle out of the car they spark and ignite the surrounding fumes from filling (liquid fuel does not ignite as easily so the spill isn't as much of a threat if contained.) This small cloud of fumes that are immediately surrounding the fuel door can ignite very easily. This isn't usually an issue when you first fill because the surrounding air is empty when you first touch your fuel door or the pump to put in your credit card so the discharge shouldn't ignite anything. Newer vehicles are required to have an ORVR onboard vapor recovery system per EPA requirements now which are supposed to take care of this vapor so this is mainly a threat for the older cars (around 2006 and older IIRC).

 

I don't see any advantage to leaving it running. If anything, with a rowdy port it's just shaking the car, making a ton of racket, blowing fumes in your face (or into the car if you need to open the trunk to get your premix out like me), and potentially fouling your plugs. What's the trouble with shutting it off?

 

You're describing sitting at a red light, letting the car warm up, being in line to get in somewhere, or any car on and not moving circumstance of which there are plenty. Under that logic, you should turn the car off anytime you stop for an extended period. There are a few reasons described above already but the summary is...... it doesn't matter, it's just preference.

 

Maybe he does shut off his car every time, including stop signs. He’s rocking that auto start-stop-flood technology.