Aren't you supposed to turn off your car engine when pumping gas?

[Beth76]

I was getting gas tonight. Just as I was finishing up, a guy pulled up next to me, turned off his car, started pumping, got back in his car and started the engine. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought that was a bad thing to do.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Yes, you're suppose to turn the engine off before pumping gas. You're also not suppose to be on the cell phone and should be turned off. You should also try to touch a metal first before pumping just in case there's electric shock between you and the pump handle that can cause sparks which may lead to fire (This is usually during winter) . I learned this..someone told me and some gas station has notice posted that you need to turn off the cell phone and turn off the engine first.

 

[grlpwrd]

Well, when we go thru the NJ Turnpike there are gas stations along the way and I see plenty of people whose engines are still on while the station attendant pumps the gas. I am not used to that at all. I think it's dangerous.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Yes, very bad thing. *Fantasia* is right. It is can be fatal to have any spark, boom! That is why you shouldn't get out of your car, start pumping gas and get back in and then back out with out grounding yourself. I saw a news clip on many cars that expoled. It was really freaky and scary.

I am surprized the gas sation allowed it.

 

[PryncessChrysty]

And it's not that you shouldn't just have your engine running, you shouldn't have anything running. Such as the radio, the lights, nothing. It should all be off. You just never know and it's something so easy to do that I would never want to risk it.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Well, when we go thru the NJ Turnpike there are gas stations along the way and I see plenty of people whose engines are still on while the station attendant pumps the gas. I am not used to that at all. I think it's dangerous.

There are still actually gas staions that have attendants? That is something I have't seen in forever!!

 

[Charade]

There are still actually gas staions that have attendants? That is something I have't seen in forever!!

As far as I know, Jersey still does not allow you to pump your own gas.

 

[Jolie C]

There are still actually gas staions that have attendants? That is something I have't seen in forever!!

LOL, it's a law in NJ that you aren't allowed to pump your own gas. Every gas station has an attendant who pumps the gas for you.

 

[krissy3483]

In NJ, attendants have to pump your gas, you're not allowed to do it. There is another state with this law as well.

 

[*Fantasia*]

At this moment.. I would love to have an attendant to pump the gas. It's tooo Brrrrrr cold here (10 degrees) to be outside pumping! And my gas is almost empty! Not good...not good at all.

 

[scrappinMickey]

If they are pumping Diesel they can leave the car running, b/c it is not flammable like gasoline.

 

[Imzadi]

I was getting gas tonight. Just as I was finishing up, a guy pulled up next to me, turned off his car, started pumping, got back in his car and started the engine. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought that was a bad thing to do.

Wow, normally I leave the car shut off, because I know it's not safe. But you made me realize sometimes I do this when I'm renting a car. I need to return it with the same amount of gas back in it. And the only way to know how much gas is in it is by turning it on so the electronic gas gauge turns on.

Thanks for helping to keep me safe from now on.

 

[mudnuri]

I leave mine running every time I pump gas, here in VT I'd say the majority do in the winter...

but then again, I've been known to not read the "warnings" LOL

Brandy

 

[Aimeedyan]

I always turn mine off, but often leave the radio on and such.

How come NJ has a law about pumping gas? Are there security issues with it, or something? Just wondering what the background is in that. Did all states have those laws at one time?

I wouldn't know what to do at a fullservice station =)

 

[Jolie C]

I wouldn't know what to do at a fullservice station =)

You just pull into the station and tell the attendant what you want. Pop your gas tank door open, wait for them to fill it, pay the attendant and drive away. I love this law.

 

[Aimeedyan]

You just pull into the station and tell the attendant what you want. Pop your gas tank door open, wait for them to fill it, pay the attendant and drive away. I love this law.

=) But dont you pay quite a bit more because of it? Like, the stations here that have NO attendant at all (pay the pump only) are always cheaper than the ones that have to put at least one person there. I'm cheap, I think I'd rather save $ and get out =) Sounds like a nice treat when driving through NJ, though!

 

[JVL1018]

=) But dont you pay quite a bit more because of it? Like, the stations here that have NO attendant at all (pay the pump only) are always cheaper than the ones that have to put at least one person there. I'm cheap, I think I'd rather save $ and get out =) Sounds like a nice treat when driving through NJ, though!

We don't pay more-anytime I ask what friends pay in other states we are usually the same or a little bit lower here in NJ.
They don't raise the price for full serve like other states do, because we have no choice--and I am grateful for it. I hate having to pump my own gas, probably have only done it 2 or 3 times in my entire life. LOL

 

[TheGottis]

You're also not suppose to be on the cell phone and should be turned off.

That's a myth/urban legend - it has been debunked by a show called Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel...

Also see :
http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.asp
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/cellgas.htm
http://www.advanceautoparts.com/english/youcan/html/dsm/dsm20040101sp.html

 

[Imzadi]

=) But dont you pay quite a bit more because of it? Like, the stations here that have NO attendant at all (pay the pump only) are always cheaper than the ones that have to put at least one person there.

It is actually almost up to 10 cents cheaper in NJ because of less tax on gas! So you get full service ar a cheaper price!

 

[inaminute]

I love travelling through New Jersey for this very reason! I hate pumping gas and you can't find a station with attendants around here--and it you do, you pay a premium price for the service.

I always thought the reason for not running the engine had more to do with gas usage than anything else. Seems to me that everyone did prior to the "gas shortage" in the early '70's.