I never turn my engine off at petrol stations!

I never turn my engine off at petrol stations!

Author
Discussion

matty6660

Original Poster:

65 posts

126 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
I have an RX8 which has the dreaded hot start problem. After about 15 minutes of driving, if you turn the engine off, it won't start for at least 20-30 minutes as the engine needs to cool down. So I have no choice but to leave it running while I pump gas so I can drive off straight away. Otherwise I would block the pump for a long time. And I ain't pushing it over to the side after ever time I fill up!

I know petrol stations say you need to turn off your engine but is that just an advisory or legislation? It can't be dangerous to do this as I have never had any problems. I hope to get the uprated starter motor soon but they're expensive :S Does anyone else do this when pumping gas?

Edited by matty6660 on Friday 19th September 16:11

mike-r

1,539 posts

190 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
I used to do it on my old E34 that wouldn't start when hot, but I'm fairly sure forecourts are OK with it because they aren't actually aware your engine is on.

thelawnet

1,539 posts

154 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
In Indonesia, nobody turns off their engine at the pump. And these are manned (or womaned more typically, they hire 20-something females for the job) pumps.

marshalla

15,902 posts

200 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
<checks OP's location>

Serves you right for having an LPG conversion.


motco

15,919 posts

245 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
marshalla said:
<checks OP's location>

Serves you right for having an LPG conversion.
hehe

Liokault

2,837 posts

213 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
What do you do if pay at pump isnt working?

Ari

19,328 posts

214 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
matty6660 said:
I have an RX8 which has the dreaded hot start problem. After about 15 minutes of driving, if you turn the engine off, it won't start for at least 20-30 minutes as the engine needs to cool down. So I have no choice but to leave it running while I pump gas so I can drive off straight away. Otherwise I would block the pump for a long time. And I ain't pushing it over to the side after ever time I fill up!

I know petrol stations say you need to turn off your engine but is that just an advisory or legislation? I've been doing it for about a year and so far no clerks have said anything to me about it. It can't be dangerous to do this as I have never had any problems in the last year. I hope to get the uprated starter motor soon but they're expensive :S Does anyone else do this when pumping gas?
That's fantastic logic! I haven't crashed in the last year so I think I'll stop wearing a seatbelt as clearly it 'can't be dangerous to do this'. biggrin

How the hell did Mazda get away with selling a car that won't start when it's warm anyway?



Wacky Racer

38,099 posts

246 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
thelawnet said:
In Indonesia, nobody turns off their engine at the pump. And these are manned (or womaned more typically, they hire 20-something females for the job) pumps.
Why? Are the pumps that heavy to lift?

marshalla

15,902 posts

200 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
Serious answer - under DSEAR ( Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) ) and various other bits of H&S law, station operators have a legal obligation to control ignition sources. Published guidance on this advises them to ensure that engines are switched off prior to allowing fuel to be dispensed.

So - the law doesn't require it, but a station operator could be in breach of the law if they allow engines to run while fuel is being pumped.

Snollygoster

1,538 posts

138 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
I usually leave the engine running so you can see where abouts the needle has moved to as I'm one of those anal people who drive around with only up to half a tank to save weight loser

Always get funny looks leaving the engine on.

I do have to turn it off when there's no pay at pump to go and pay as I'm not trusting enough.

matty6660

Original Poster:

65 posts

126 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
marshalla said:
<checks OP's location>

Serves you right for having an LPG conversion.
I don't have an LPG conversion o.O

thelawnet

1,539 posts

154 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
Wacky Racer said:
Why? Are the pumps that heavy to lift?
The pumps are the same as here, but they only pay wages of around £100/month so you might as well have a dolly bird filling you up. Plus it's all government owned anyway. And I guess it discourages people from driving off without paying.

Vipers

32,799 posts

227 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
Some years ago in the highlands, the garage proprietor filled my car up, still smoking his pipe as he did so.

I decided to keep a safe distance just in case.




smile

fangio

988 posts

233 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
Snollygoster said:
I usually leave the engine running so you can see where abouts the needle has moved to as I'm one of those anal people who drive around with only up to half a tank to save weight loser

Always get funny looks leaving the engine on.

I do have to turn it off when there's no pay at pump to go and pay as I'm not trusting enough.
Why? Doesn't your gauge work with the ignition on? confused

Snollygoster

1,538 posts

138 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
fangio said:
Why? Doesn't your gauge work with the ignition on? confused
You have to turn it on for the needle to move - well I guess you don't need it on on, just the ignition.

Guess it's just habit.

motco

15,919 posts

245 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
Respectfully dedicated to OP and Lawnet:


anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
Garages will shut the pump down if they know you have your engine running. Similar deal to mobiles which can ignite petrol rolleyes health and safety don't you know?

211lover

60 posts

115 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
Snollygoster said:
I usually leave the engine running so you can see where abouts the needle has moved to as I'm one of those anal people who drive around with only up to half a tank to save weight loser.
Very much a loser. Don't understand this at all

HereBeMonsters

14,180 posts

181 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
Snollygoster said:
I usually leave the engine running so you can see where abouts the needle has moved to as I'm one of those anal people who drive around with only up to half a tank to save weight loser
Do you fold the rear seats down as well?

cib24

1,115 posts

152 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
The car starts just fine if the engine is healthy. I doubt the uprated starter would help this guy out anyway and to be honest if he can't afford a £300 starter motor then he shouldn't have purchased the car without looking into running costs with RX-8's, particularly ones in a poor state of health. The problem with RX-8's now is that their residual values are so low that you have people who should be driving a 1.2 Vauxhall Corsa buying the RX-8 because they want a sports car, but these people aren't prepared for the cost of ownership.

A healthy RX-8 like mine costs me fuel, oil and spark plugs to keep going but at the same time I did things differently. I purchased an RX-8 with a bad engine on purpose and had it rebuilt and had new coils installed.