Is it harmful and dangerous to refuel while the car is running?

(Patria) - When the temperatures are low outside, you've probably thought about not exposing yourself too much to the cold while refueling, but rather staying in the car with the engine running and heating during refueling.

Such a practice might provide temporary comfort, but it's not the best idea, writes Autoklub. Therefore, we answer the question - can we refuel while the car engine is running?

Answer: preferably not! Reason: although there is a minimal chance of fire, leaving the engine running increases the possibility of igniting fuel vapors if they come into contact with static electricity.

It is therefore safest to turn off the car engine to avoid even the slightest possibility of fire, static electricity, or the "check engine" light coming on.

The risk of fire is that vapors ignite, not the liquid, and that could lead to an explosion.

Another question is - can the engine be damaged by such practice?

The risk of causing a fire is greater than the possible damage to the vehicle. However, just because it doesn't damage the vehicle doesn't mean it won't cause problems.

While it's not necessarily bad for your car, it could turn on that annoying "check engine" light because cars are designed to detect even the slightest gasoline vapor leak from the tank, fuel lines, and engine.

This can happen when you insert the nozzle to refuel the car when opening the fuel cap, which allows gasoline to evaporate. The vehicle's computer detects the vapor release and turns on the "check engine" light.

In addition to turning off the vehicle's engine, there are other safety measures you can take while refueling. Never smoke, it's clear why, and never use a mobile phone because such a practice can theoretically create static electricity.