Carrying a can if petrol in the boot.?

Carrying volatile gasoline in a vehicle is such an invitation to disaster that it can't matter much where you place it or how full it is!

UK Answer

No Law against it but should only be in a 'proper fuel container' an old oil can is a no no

You can fill it up to whatever the capacity stated on the can, don't fill it to the brim. If it says 5 litres then 5 litres is all you put in. This will leave a space at the top of the container to allow for ullage.

As said there's no law against it but not something to do on a regular basis, with reliable fuel gauges and plenty of fuel stations there's no real need

If you use the standard plastic fuel can sold in any car accessory shop, all Halfords and most petrol stations it will have a 'capacity' indicated on it which will be either 5 litres or 4.5 litres. Put the stated amount of fuel in the can and there will be an adequate air/expansion gap. Dont fill it right to the brim or put more in than the stated capacity..

A 5 litre petrol can will hold more than 5 lires, but it's CERTIFIED safe to 5 litres. It's air-tight though, so I wouldn't want to put it in the car on a hot day, and actually the less petrol in the can, the more vapour there is to expand and cause problems. Why exactly do you want to drive around with 5 litres of explosive liquid in your boot?

Andy

you carry some 40 litres around in a properly constructed fuel tank, with a properly fitted petrol cap keeping it in.

The fuel in the tank can be completely full or completely empty or any amount in between. It is perfectly safe despite being shaken about all the time you are driving.

The cars fuel tank also expands and contracts as does any metal container.

If you carry additional fuel in a properly constructed fuel can with a properly fitting cap what is the difference whether it is completely full or partially so? It is perfectly safe.

The answer is we all know and do not concern ourselves over it.

As long as it is dedicated petrol can. It also wants to be secured to the sidewall or some where in the boot so as to not go walk about. Don't mix it up with the beer or whisky or you'll get one heck of a headache and a hang over.

Most proper cans are designed so that even brim full there is an air space left. I generally don't carry cans in the car, only when tanker strikes &c restricting supply, mainly to avoid the smell if any spills

1

It doesn't take a lot of expansion room - a couple ounces will do it. The coefficient of expansion for petrol is very low, and the vapor pressure is identical for any given temperature regardless of the volume.

Many people do, as long as it is secured to stop it sliding about its ok . don't know why fred is on about welders