If the engine is not turning, why power off while refueling?

[ystasino]

If the engine is not turning, is there a reason (and I mean reason) to power off while refueling?

Thanks

[Bill Merchant]

You know the answer. Unless the car is off, the ICE can start at any time, to charge the battery or keep the engine/catalytic converter warm. Also, if it's off it won't roll away on its own if you left it in N.

You got a problem obeying the law?

[patrickindallas]

Can you say BOOM really (and I mean really) loud?

Off topic:

I hope you don't use your cellphone while fueling. I almost lost my last car to
a station fire started by the neighboring pumper's conversation!

[richard schumacher]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patrickindallas @ May 14 2007, 01:30 AM) [snapback]441492[/snapback]</div>

I hope you don't use your cellphone while fueling. I almost lost my last car to
a station fire started by the neighboring pumper's conversation!
[/b]

Following the thread drift: it's not the cellphone in itself, it's the static electricity generated when someone climbs into and out of the car to get the cellphone while the gas pump is running. Once the gas is flowing one should stay with it until the pump is off again. The danger is shown beautifully in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3x-8tj49ac

Thinking up related risky acts is left as an exercise for the reader.

[qbee42]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ May 14 2007, 09:02 AM) [snapback]441555[/snapback]</div>

Following the thread drift: it's not the cellphone in itself, it's the static electricity generated when someone climbs back into the car to get the cellphone while the gas pump is running. Once the gas is flowing one should stay with it until the pump is off again. The danger is shown beautifully in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3x-8tj49ac

Thinking up related risky acts is left as an exercise for the reader.
[/b]

When we refuel airplanes, the first thing we do is attach a grounding wire to the aircraft. Static is a big risk in refueling, and aircraft can generate quite a charge moving though the air. The covered filler holes on cars are less prone to spark induced explosions, but the results are too serious to take lightly.

Tom

[ystasino]

I don't use my cell phone, and I do have problem obeying the law if it's not applicable to me!

Seriously, I thought that with the gear set to N (without exceeding 42mph before that) and with the emergency break pressed, one wouldn't need to power off the prius.

Or assume one has the EV mode engaged...

Not sure I'd risk this, but I would like to know.

[Charles Suitt]

What's the big deal to simply press the POWER button and turn the Prius OFF? For the sake of safety, not just for the Prius driver but for all others who may be at the Service Station, just power OFF. Another item: I would guess that the GUESS GAUGE would NOT reset normally if you remained power ON during refueling.

[auricchio]

The Prius will discharge while in N. I don't think the ICE will start, which can put the traction battery at risk if it was already low when you stopped.

Powering off guarantees the vehicle is in Park.

Static electricity is the culprit in the fires; I think the cellphone theory has been debunked.

After all, people us cellphones so much that you could blame everything on them...they're everywhere at all times!

Did you see that? A lady answered her phone in the restaurant and the chef cut himself!

My cellphone made that deer run across the road.

[Presto]

I rarely shut my car off for refueling purposes. Usually, I'll just turn on EV, and start filling up. Doesn't matter if it's full or self serve. I don't like turning off the car since my carputer would have to reboot, and I don't feel like having to wait for it.

[Bob Allen]

I'm a flight instructor. The protocol for fueling airplanes is to have ALL potential sources of electrical power turned off, and, obviously, the engine as well (wouldn't do to slice the fuel guy up in the prop). Static electricity builds up in the fuel hoses due to the rapid movement of gasoline. There is a remote chance of a static discharge spark where the fuel nozzle meets the metal of the airplane, right over the gas tank. You can imagine the potential consequences of that.

Same thing applies to automobiles. The Prius is very well engineered and the electrical system no doubt is well insulated, but why take chances? And, as has been pointed out, shutting down the power automatically puts the car in park and prevents it from moving. It's also the law.