Can You Really Use Your Mobile Phone When Pumping Petrol?

You’ve probably seen the news about an explosion at a petrol station, and they always deduce that it’s the phone that causes it. Or is it just a myth all along? You see, stories and warnings about the potential danger of using your mobile phone while refuelling your vehicle have been circulating around the media for years.

Besides, there are even warning signs displayed at petrol stations near the pumps reminding us to switch off our mobile phones for our safety’s sake.

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What causes an explosion at a petrol station?

Well, according to one of the popular MythBusters episodes back in 2003 titled “Cell Phone Destroys Gas Station”, the show’s hosts, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, revealed that mobile phones were not the direct cause of explosions at petrol stations. 

Instead, the actual cause for an explosion has to do with “an electrostatic discharge between a driver and the car”.

In other words, static electricity can ignite gasoline vapours, which in turn, causes a flash fire if the person gets out of the vehicle and starts pumping petrol and then re-entering the vehicle during the fuelling process.

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But according to API, if you really need to get back into your vehicle, at least “touch a metal part of the vehicle with a bare hand” first before reaching for the nozzle.

So, Can I Use My Phone While Pumping Petrol… Or Not?

The short answer is “no”. 

There’s a reason why you see petrol stations have all the warning signs displayed in the first place. The thing is, using mobile phones can be a huge distraction. 

For instance, you may not realise driving off with the nozzle still in your vehicle’s fuel tank because you are too preoccupied with your phone.

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But How About If I Leave My Car Engine On?

Again, with the two words: “no”. Refuelling your vehicle while the engine is still running is an invitation to a disaster. 

This is hardly a myth since it did happen back in 2018 in Ipoh when, according to New Straits Times, CCTV footage revealed the driver and a passenger getting out of their car and one of them starting pumping petrol.

Long story short; the driver left his car engine on, and both the nozzle as well as the fuel tank suddenly burst into flames. 

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So, for your sake and everybody else's, it’s best not to use your mobile phone while pumping petrol. After all, better safe than sorry, right?