OK, my wife and I are originally from Chicago and we have been in TX for about 1.5 years now. We have of course established quite a few local friends. When gassing up, we are used to leaving the engine running, usually to keep either the heater or A/C going. Well ever since we moved down here, without fail if we have one of our friends in the car, they will reach over and take it upon themselves to turn the ignition off (!@#%$*&). For some reason they get all freaked out if we have the engine running! They think we will all end up in a fiery inferno or something.

First of all, is this a regional thing? I noticed a lot of people down here turn their engine off while pumping gas, despite frequent 100 degree days (their kids meanwhile are roasting in the back seat).

I understand the thinking that somehow a fire might start (especially with all the "turn engine off" propaganda signs posted everywhere). But come on, unless you're driving a 308 or a 911, there is just no way the fumes are going to maintain strong enough concentration to reach all the way up to the front of the car where the engine is running. And even if it does, you would have to have a whole lot of arcing or sparking going on in order to cause ignition. And vapor alone doesn't burn as easily as atomized fuel. So what gives? Am I just wrong? Am I unknowingly taunting the reaper?

Has anyone else thought of this or looked into it?

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