Why you should turn off your car engine when refueling.
Turning off your car's engine while refueling is not only a safety concern, but it can also help car owners save on repair costs.
The topic of whether or not to turn off your engine while refueling is always a subject of debate. Many consider it unnecessary advice, but recently, an experienced mechanic shared on TikTok a compelling reason why drivers should turn off their engines while refueling. And it's not the reason many people usually think of.
People often hear that leaving a car engine running while refueling is dangerous due to the risk of fire from static electricity and fuel vapors. Despite this, many drivers still don't leave their engines running while refueling.
Some drivers explain this as keeping the air conditioning running to cool other passengers in the car. In other cases, they simply believe these dangers are just unverified stories.
However, a mechanic from the John Hiester Automotive Group service center argues that this isn't the only reason users should turn off their engines when refueling, as it can also cause technical damage to the vehicle's systems.
Expert John Hiester explains: "Not turning off the engine when refueling is no longer a minor issue that many people ignore."
Because when refueling, the engine still creates pressure in the fuel system, which can lead to EVAP (Electro-Vapor Pressure Monitoring System) leaks. When this system malfunctions, the Check Engine light will illuminate.
While the Check Engine light can illuminate for various reasons, an EVAP leak is a common cause, and this can be costly for drivers who have to take their car to an auto repair shop for inspection and repair. Estimated repair costs can range from $200 to $1500 (5 to 40 million VND). The good news is that users can completely avoid this problem simply by turning off the engine when refueling.
In fact, turning off the engine while refueling is now considered a crucial safety rule and is recommended at most gas stations worldwide, including Vietnam. Complying with these regulations is seen as everyone's responsibility.
In addition, car owners should also be aware of other things to keep in mind when refueling, such as: no smoking, checking the fuel cap after refueling, not overfilling the tank, and limiting the use of mobile phones.
In reality, fires and explosions at gas stations caused by not turning off the engine are rare, but not impossible. For your own safety and the safety of those around you, always turn off your engine before refueling.