holstein13 wrote:
Not that I'd want to inject any logic into this heated emotional discussion, but I'd go even further and ask, why not require that all cars be turned off BEFORE arriving at the pump and then be pushed in to position and pushed out before starting their engines? ... If we are concerned about running engines causing fires, shouldn't we prevent all running engines near the pumps?
^^^^^THIS!!!!!
In fact, in most cases (especially with autos), the fill is at the rear of the vehicle. Thus if at the forward pump, an arriving vehicle to the aft pump would have it's running engine several times times closer in distance to fueling vehicles engine. Why would this not be that many times more dangerous?
On my well maintained vehicles (gasoline even), I consider it likely safer to leave the engine running. The starter is a great source of sparks, and is typically mounted at the bottom of the engine; as in closer to where a fuel spill would be.
It would probably not even be that unsafe to leave the water heater and refer burners on. Consider just how much vapor would have to be in the air for it to ignite. If there were that much vapor, I would not want to be outside inhaling it.
If one does want to leave their engine running, leave an occupant in the vehicle or take the door key separately. Obviously this is for physical security.
Realize that on some vehicles this may set a computer fault code for the tank losing pressure.
I'm sure there is a law against common sense somewhere; so please don't bother to remind me.
