Motorists may love the convenience of owning own their vehicle, but it does mean regularly refuelling with either petrol or diesel.
There are certain do's and don'ts regarding filling up your car, with some being less widely recognised than others. Understanding proper petrol station etiquette can prevent creating tailbacks for fellow drivers and ensure a smoother experience.
A former car salesman turned automotive photographer, operating under the moniker Capturing Cars on social media, distributes motoring updates, recommendations and specialist guidance. He produces material on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, where several of his uploads have garnered more than one million views, including one demonstrating the quickest method to warm your vehicle during colder months.
The automotive specialist recently posted a clip on the platform detailing five prohibited activities at UK petrol stations.
The former car dealer revealed that one forbidden action is getting back into your motor during refuelling, confessing this was news to him until he did his research. He clarified: "You are not allowed to get in or out of your car in the middle of refuelling because of static build-up and the potential, albeit pretty limited I'd imagine, that you could cause a dangerous spark so presumably, technically, passengers also cannot get in or out of the car."
According to Driving News, which delivers motoring, transport and logistics updates from the National Traffic Safety Institute, it represents best practice to ask passengers to get out of the vehicle while refuelling for safety purposes.
The driving expert noted that mobile phone usage is not allowed during refuelling, with one reason being the "distraction" factor. The other concern stems from the slight possibility that your device might generate a spark, and this spark "can ignite the vapour that's in the area of the petrol station."
When petrol catches fire, its vaporised fumes combine with air whilst an ignition source supplies the energy to trigger sudden, rapid combustion or an explosion.
Continuing, the former motor trader stated: "The thing in third place is an incredibly obvious one - not being able to smoke, use lighters or vape, which is slightly different to the first two things there." He explained that petrol vapours in the atmosphere and flames represent a dangerous combination, while e-cigarettes share similarities with mobile phones in that they might "potentially malfunction" and produce a spark.
Motorists are also "not allowed" to keep the engine running during refuelling and should instead turn the engine off, exit the car and then fill up. Driving News emphasises that Rule 123 of the Highway Code mandates switching off your engine when stationary to minimise emissions, with local councils having the power to fine those who violate this rule.
This is primarily due to the potential risk of a spark which could trigger an explosion. Sparks can be generated by the car engine or electrical components, static electricity, and hot exhaust parts such as the catalytic converter.
The last piece of advice shared by the motoring expert is not to use "dodgy" containers for fuel, stating that only "approved fuel cans" should be used. He disclosed his past experience working at a car dealership attached to a petrol station, where he once witnessed someone attempting to fill an ice cream tub with fuel.
Lastly, the former car salesman pointed out that only people aged 16 and above are allowed to use a fuel pump.