You're getting a ton of incorrect info here OP. The only reason to turn off the engine when fueling up is to avoid a check engine light coming on as the ECM can spot a large leak, ie your gas cap being off. Before OBD and emissions monitoring, you'd find plenty of people in the dead of winter fueling up with the engine running to keep the car warm.
The increased risk of fire from a spark is also bunk as fuel vapor exists whether or not the engine is on or off. It's why you don't smoke and why you should touch grounded metal before you fill up the tank.
aathas t1_ixtd1wx wrote
Reply to ELI5: Why do you have to turn your car off when you fill up your tank? by logan0921
You're getting a ton of incorrect info here OP. The only reason to turn off the engine when fueling up is to avoid a check engine light coming on as the ECM can spot a large leak, ie your gas cap being off. Before OBD and emissions monitoring, you'd find plenty of people in the dead of winter fueling up with the engine running to keep the car warm.
The increased risk of fire from a spark is also bunk as fuel vapor exists whether or not the engine is on or off. It's why you don't smoke and why you should touch grounded metal before you fill up the tank.