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Originally Posted by nupe10123
I also saw the Mythbusters episode when they 'busted' this story. Now, I wonder if they could test the static story. I've gotten in and out of the car on several ocasions while pumping gas (usually if it's cold, rainy, to answer a call on my phone which I leave in the car...) and nothing has happened. The static thing is something to think about and I guess I'll minimize how often I do this. But I'd like to know if this is really an issue or not.
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Static is an issue. Airplanes have long used grounding straps before any fuel moves. I drove a tandem fuel delivery truck back during university days (gasoline, diesel, home heating oil, etc) and you didn't open a tank at the bulk plant before attaching the grounding strap. It is easy to manage the risk on your own vehicle if you want to, you just discharge the electricity before you open the tank and start filling. You have to ask yourself what the risk is though, ie if it is cold and rainy, how much static do you think you can build up? If you slide across fuzzy seat covers and always get a spark afterwards, then that is the other extreme.
I think there may be more important things to stay awake at night worrying about. Just my $0.02
Jeff
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