1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Fueling: touching metal surface, closing windows

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by solana35, Jul 11, 2017.

Tags:
  1. solana35

    solana35 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2017
    20
    6
    0
    Location:
    New York, USA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I have been the proud owner of a 2015 Prius Two for a couple of weeks. I'm thrilled! Here is the first of a bunch of questions I have:

    In the Owner's Manual, it says to touch an unpainted metal surface before fueling. Also it says to close the doors and windows beforehand. It's in the OM, so I'm guessing it's important, but I'm wondering how often people do it in practice.

    The second piece of advice could be valuable because, living in New York state, I'm a walking ball of static electricity in the winter even without having a large battery in my car. But I just want to confirm that it really is a good idea to get in the habit of "grounding" myself.

    Thank you!
     
    #1 solana35, Jul 11, 2017
    bisco likes this.
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I always touch the outside of the car, not an unpainted surface, but it's a longtime habit of mine, before I open the gas cap to fuel the car.

    I almost always have at least one window down when fueling. It has never caused a problem.
     
    #2 xliderider, Jul 11, 2017
    solana35 likes this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,781
    48,985
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    congrats and welcome!
    huh, i never read that. probably a good idea, but i've never done it in 45 years of driving.
    where would be an unpainted metal surface?
     
    #3 bisco, Jul 11, 2017
    solana35 likes this.
  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,118
    10,045
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    This has nothing to do with the large battery. It is generic advice for all gasoline-powered vehicles. The static is most commonly created from friction between clothing fabric and the seat when getting out of the vehicle, but can come from other sources as well.

    There are a number of gas station surveillance videos available showing gasoline fumes igniting from apparent static sparks. All I have seen struck other cars, not Prius, but the Prius shouldn't be any different.
     
    #4 fuzzy1, Jul 11, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2017
    solana35 likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,781
    48,985
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    do the new pump nozzles help at all?
     
    #5 bisco, Jul 11, 2017
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)