Bleeding at the pump … figuratively and literally
By jmara
Monday, June 16th, 2008 at 10:26 am in General.
Yesterday I stopped at a little dirtbag El Cheapo gas station on San Pablo Dam Road between Orinda and Richmond. You know those little metal flaps that keep the gas flowing so you don’t have to stand there pumping the gas? The dang thing tore a hole in my finger. There I was literally bleeding at the pump. (Photo: blmurch)
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August 1st, 2008 at 1:54 pm
AH NO! Sorry to hear about that. I wish I knew of an “El Cheapo” gas station. You weren’t on your cell phone when this happened? Also, you didn’t get in your car while fueling. I have seen 100 percent of Women talk on their cell and get into their cars while fueling. Both are deadly mistakes. Good luck to you though.
OldFireman-
August 1st, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Hey there, OldFireman! Hey, I CONFESS, I do get in my car when fueling. Clue me in, why is that a bad idea? Thanks for commenting!
August 23rd, 2008 at 9:11 am
Talking on a cell phone while fueling your vehicle and causing a fire or explosion has been busted, it is a myth. Have you seen the video on youtube where several cell phones placed around unpoped popcorn then calling the phone causes the kernel to pop? That is fake also.
Now for getting back in the vehicle while fueling that can be a problem due to potential static electricity discharge when you get back out and a potential spark could potentially ignite the fuel vapor causing a fire or explosion.
What you have to ask yourself is when you get to the station you have to get out of your vehicle and you don’t blow up, why is that? The answer would be that you discharge any static electricity when you touch something metal such as the vehicle or fuel pump. Lesson learned, if you get back in your vehicle while fueling, just touch something metal away from the fuel tank when you get back out to discharge any static electricity that may have been created by entering or exiting the vehicle.
August 23rd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
David, many thanks for clearing that up. I wasn’t sure what OldFireman was referring to. Didn’t realize there was an urban myth to that effect. When you explained that it’s an urban myth, I went on Snopes.com and found it: http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.asp
Readers, when someone tells you something that sounds suspicious, or too good to be true, like that they have a product that will extend your gas mileage, go to Snopes.com, a rumor-busting Web site. Thanks again to David for explaining!