DRIVERS have been warned about using petrol stations when it’s freezing outside and urged to take their time to prevent disaster.
Scotty Kilmer, an expert mechanic who has been in the motors industry for over five decades, claimed that a common mistake could see you put your life at risk.
Youtube/@Scotty KilmerExpert mechanic Scotty Kilmer urged drivers to stay out of their cars at petrol stations, even on cold days[/caption]
GettyTrying to get back in could cause a static spark and potentially lead to a fire, he claimed[/caption]
He begged drivers to resist the temptation to hop back into their vehicles while leaving the pump running as, in his opinion, it could increase the chance of a fire.
Scotty speculated: “When you’re filling your car up in the winter do not think ‘oh it’s really cold, I’ll turn it on and jump back in the car’ – not a smart idea.
“When it’s cold and really dry if you touch your car you might feel a zap.
“That’s static electricity creating a little lightning bolt to your car.
“If you’re filling your car up and you touch the car’s door to open and close it, you could actually start a fire because of the petrol fumes coming out.”
He claimed that cars are particularly vulnerable to this at the pump as vapourised fuel, which is released as the tank fills, is more reactive than the liquid equivalent.
This means that even a tiny spark can ignite the fumes in the air, resulting in a sudden fireball.
Likewise, Scotty urged drivers never to run the engine while pumping for similar safety reasons.
Unfortunately, that means that in sub-zero temperatures the only safe thing to do is tough it out while you pump without the benefit of the car’s heater.
One social media commenter shared their own experience to back this up.
They claimed: “Great warning. I was set on fire when I was nine when my brother and his friend were playing with gas.
“I always warn people it’s the fumes/vapours that ignite.”
Another alleged: “A flight instructor that used to work at my local airport was filling up a smaller aircraft up with aviation fuel.
“He touched the side and got shocked which ignited the aviation fuel burning the plane to a crisp.
“He was fine but the plane wasn’t. Lesson learned.”
It comes after The Grand Tour dropped the trailer for its second last episode ever, with the trio taking on a 1,200-mile African road trip.