Stop and get help

If a fire starts, do not pull the nozzle out

Leave the nozzle in place, move away from the pump, warn other people, and alert station personnel or emergency services. Follow the station's emergency instructions. Do not try to finish the fill, move the vehicle through flames, or reach back into the vapor area to remove the nozzle.

Why getting back into the seat matters

Static charge can build as clothing moves against a vehicle seat, especially in dry conditions. The concern is not the small shock itself; it is a discharge near gasoline vapor when a person returns to the filler area and touches the nozzle or another conductive surface.

The easiest habit is to remain outside the vehicle while fuel is flowing. That avoids repeating the seat-contact cycle and also keeps the driver available to watch the nozzle and stop fueling if something is wrong.

If you re-entered the car while the pump was running

  1. 01
    Step back out without grabbing the nozzle

    Do not make the nozzle your first metal contact after sliding across the seat.

  2. 02
    Touch metal away from the filler opening

    Use a suitable metal part of the vehicle away from the nozzle and fuel vapor area to discharge static before reaching for the nozzle again.

  3. 03
    Finish fueling while staying outside

    Keep your attention on the pump, do not smoke, and follow the station's posted safety instructions.

  4. 04
    Replace the cap or close the fuel door only after fueling stops

    Allow the pump to finish, return the nozzle to the dispenser, and then secure the vehicle's fuel-filler system as designed.

Good refueling habits reduce more than static risk

  • Turn the engine off before refueling unless a specific facility procedure says otherwise.
  • Keep flames, cigarettes, and other ignition sources away from the fueling area.
  • Do not top off repeatedly after the nozzle automatically stops.
  • Place approved portable gasoline containers on the ground before filling them rather than filling them in a vehicle, trunk, pickup bed liner, or cargo area.
  • Use the fuel type and filler procedure required by the vehicle.
  • If fuel spills heavily or you smell an unusual amount of vapor, stop and notify station staff rather than continuing the transaction.

Focus on the behaviors that actually change the fueling situation

Staying outside the vehicle
Reducing the chance of building a new static charge while the nozzle is in the filler

This is a simple habit that also keeps you near the pump controls.

Touching metal away from the filler after re-entering
Discharging static before you return your hand to the nozzle area

Do this before touching the nozzle, not by deliberately creating a spark near the filler opening.

Following station instructions
Handling emergency shutoffs, local rules, and equipment-specific procedures

Fuel stations can use different pump layouts and emergency systems, so posted directions take priority over a generic online checklist.