E Meyer wrote:
>
> On 11/25/05 9:23 AM, in article , "'Curly Q.
> Links'" > wrote:
>
> > E Meyer wrote:
> >>
> >> On 11/24/05 9:55 PM, in article ,
> >> "SoCalMike" > wrote:
> >>
> >>> E Meyer wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Wrong.
> >>>
> >>> really? in california, we have signs at all the gas stations saying its
> >>> illegal to dispense gasoline into an unapproved container, yadda, yadda,
> >>> yadda....
> >>>
> >>> only makes sense.
> >>
> >> We have signs in Texas as well about dispensing into unapproved containers,
> >> do not get back in car while pumping, turn off cell phones, etc. I have
> >> also occasionally seen topping-off on the list of do nots. I have yet to see
> >> anything that says its ILLEGAL to top off. If it is, then I estimate
> >> somewhere around 99% of drivers using self service gas pumps around here are
> >> breaking laws.
> >>
> >> As I understand it, the manufacturers recommend against it because it can
> >> back flow into the charcoal canister and mess up the EFE system (You will
> >> get a "check engine" light if this ever happens). The EPA doesn't like it
> >> because the little bit that spills on the ground can evaporate into the air.
> >> Any explosion risk that might be there is from static sparks and is
> >> addressed by the "do not get back in car while pumping gas" admonition
> >> (which is also rampantly ignored).
> >>
> >> The thing I am taking issue with here is the assertion that it is illegal to
> >> top off. If that were the case, then self service gas stations would have to
> >> be eliminated, since the station owners would be liable for any law breaking
> >> done using their property.
> >
> > --------------------------------
> >
> > I'm guessing you're not going to phone the fire department, right?
> >
> > If I cram 60 litres of ice cold gasoline into my CR-V (so there's no
> > room for expansion in the tank) and park it on the street in the summer,
> > where are you expecting the excess will go when it expands to maybe 64
> > litres? Down the nearest sewer drain? That's the kind of calls the fire
> > department / hazardous materials team LOVES to get. Where will the city
> > send the bill, and will the TV station show my license plate # on the
> > six o'clock news? Will they mention my name? It won't be me getting
> > caught.
> >
> > -- 'Curly'
>
> No, I'm not going to call the fire department. For one thing, they are not
> responsible for enforcing any laws.
>
> I did just come from the gas station though. The pump has warnings printed
> all over it. I took the opportunity to read them. Everything you can
> imagine is warned. Nothing about topping off.
>
> I can't remember the TV news ever focusing on the fire department responding
> to a dripping car. This whole fire department thing is just silly.
>
> I have lived in Texas for over 30 years. Consequently I know something about
> fuel expansion in the summer. I have never seen four liters of expansion
> pouring out of a car. In fact, on all four of my current cars ('91 240sx,
> '96 I30, '00 TL, and '02 Pathfinder), the pump clicks off within 2 tenths of
> a gallon of what they hold when filled to the top of the filler neck. If
> its going to expand by 4 liters (essentially a whole gallon), not topping
> off isn't going to help. Perhaps you are overestimating expansion?
>
> It may or may not be ill advised to top off a particular car. I have never
> seen anything (except your assertion) that has ever said it is illegal to do
> so. I guess its possible that it might be (illegal) in Canada. Different
> country. No evidence of it here.


-------------------------

I'll check with a (veteran) fireman I know. Maybe breaking a 'bylaw'
isn't the same thing as illegal.

'Curly'