How to Properly Store Extra Gas in Your Car
May 5, 2010 | In: Motoring
A lot of people store extra gas in their vehicles. Although this is a good precaution, especially if you are traveling long distance, it is also good and important to find out how to store gas in your car properly.
Mind you, there really is no 100% safe way to store fuel, but these precautions would make the risk of vaing an accident less.
Check first if it is legal to carry extra gas containers in your state. Also, check your insurance if you are permitted to carry fuel containers.
According to a Popular Mechanics article, there are such things as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) approved containers especially made for gasoline or diesel fuel. These are the safest containers to carry fuel. Do nto even attempt putting your extra gasoline in anything else.
Do not fill the gas container up to the brim. You should only fill the container up to about 4/5 of its capacity. This is to give way to the fumes to expand when temperature changes.
Place the container in the part of the car where it is secure and stable. It should stick to place and cannot move. Make sure that you place the can where the release valve faced the back of the car to avoid gas leak during quick stops. This being said, the trunk of the car is not a good place to carry gas as it can tip, roll over, and thus accumulating vented fumes.
If you’re storing the container inside your car, make sure that you open your window for better ventilation. Always check for gas smell. If you do smell something, stop and check. It’s for your own safety.
The best place to store car is on the roof rack where there is enough ventilation, as long as the temperature is not too hot. You can have auxiliary saddle tanks installed to your RVs as well.
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