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Gas container legality question

Eric in Davis

Eric in Davis

New member
Joined
Aug 28, 2002
Location
bay area
Moto(s)
'15 YZ250F, FZR400 retired race bike
Some discussion came up on racing forum where someone found a CARB document that details restrictions on the type of gas containers that can be sold in CA. The basic gist of it was that the 5-gallon jugs that most motorcyclists use for off and road-racing are not technically legal to sell in CA (someone said that a dealer said, "Nope, we don't have gas jugs, those are for water... wink wink")

I read this PDF document and it doesn't state that there are any restrictions on the use of gas containers, just the sale of them.

Are there any laws that I could be cited for violating if I were to be pulled over on the way to the races with my not-legal-to-sell gas jugs?
 
Kalvin00 said:
the environmentalist c*ck suckers don't like it they can pound sand.
Click to expand...

Can I quote you on that as my defense when I get pulled over :laughing j/k
 
With the older vented cans, I could pour out every drop without spilling one! Now, with the new cans, it spurts out a mouthfull of gas when you vent them before pouring.

While jet skiing a few years ago, my dad had 4 of the older style cans lifted while at Coyote Lake. :(

Oh yeah, and the vent tubes in the new cans slip off all the time, BLEH!
 
I had no idea there were "49 state" and "50 state" gas cans. :confused

I should consider myself lucky that I have a 2 gallon red gas can that was given to me when I lived in New York. ;)
 
I, like bmb408, have spilled more gas from the stupid CARB-style gas canister. The only thing my gas can is useful for is to fill up my MC gas tank, NASCAR-style (jam the nozzle in an empty tank). I spill when trying to fill my lawnmower. I spill when trying to add to my car. I even spill when trying to top-off my bike!

Eric, just sell the nozzles separately ;-)
 
Those "water jugs" are illegal to use as gas cans. It must be a red container that is specifically built for fuel. Depending on the law inforcement they can write you a ticket for the gas container.
 
cruzinZ said:
Those "water jugs" are illegal to use as gas cans. It must be a red container that is specifically built for fuel. Depending on the law inforcement they can write you a ticket for the gas container.
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OK- what's the correct statute for it in California?

AFAIK there is no state law against it.
 
Solution...

Remove stupid "saftey nozzel" from gas can...

Insert large funnel into tank....

Pour gas...

Replace stupid "saftey nozzel" into gas can...

Repeat as needed...


(yep I've stolen Robbie's acct again... 07chuck)
 
cruzinZ said:
Those "water jugs" are illegal to use as gas cans. It must be a red container that is specifically built for fuel. Depending on the law inforcement they can write you a ticket for the gas container.
Click to expand...

So, the good old standard gas can (large plastic, straight clear plastic hose on top) that I have for my bikes is currently illegal?

I thought it was only against the law to sell them after some point?

They can't say as of some date all gas can purchased previously are now illegal...can they?
 
That's exactly what we used to do about 10 years ago when we had to fill up an empty jet ski tank. Now, unless we're camping overnight or going out on the delta, we fill up the vessel the night before, and leave the cans at home.

I now use the white/opaque containers with the long nozzle. Much easier to handle and administer gas.

I asked a park ranger once while down at a local lake about the older containers, and they didn't mind us using them unless we were careless and spilling gas.




supertireguy said:
Solution...

Remove stupid "saftey nozzel" from gas can...

Insert large funnel into tank....

Pour gas...

Replace stupid "saftey nozzel" into gas can...

Repeat as needed...


(yep I've stolen Robbie's acct again... 07chuck)
Click to expand...
 
I work at an auto parts store and the way it goes is retailers can't sell gas cans without the "safety nozzle" on them. That doesn't mean you can't stroll down the the funnel section and pick up a non-safety nozzle and use that. As far as if you have an older style gas can, they can't penalize you for having it because the carb law only applies to retailers.
 
JPM said:
Standards and regulations are set by CARB.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/pfc/pfc.htm
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So many replies and yet not one can answer my question. Well, one person did, but he didn't actually say anything except they can write you a ticket for it... WHAT ticket?

I thought this would be a pretty straight forward question for the LEO forum.
 
If a LEO ever takes the time to give you a ticket, it must mean that God hates you. So dont worry about it
 
Be careful with static electricity on those dry days. My neighbor burnt down 1/2 of the chevron station in petaluma a few years back when his gas can cought on fire from a static electricity spark when he touched it.
 
Var said:
If a LEO ever takes the time to give you a ticket, it must mean that God hates you. So dont worry about it
Click to expand...

+1. If you are dumb enough to run around with gas in a glass or other similar container in your vehicle you will be the recipient of a Darwin award.

I have never written one and would have to look into it as there is no specific vehicle code that I can remember for it. There might be a health and safety code for it but most likely you would get cited for an unsafe vehicle under the authority of the CCR's (California Code of Regulations) which regulates the fuel containers. That’s what you get cited for when you have hydraulics, batteries mounted in the trunk, "ladder bars", ect. Unsafe vehicle per CCR's.
 
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Junkie said:
what is unsafe about having a battery mounted in the trunk?
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It depends on how it's mounted. The engine area has the advantage of a firewall. The trunk doesn't. So, any battery mounted back there must be mounted in a fashion that provides the same function, which would usually be in a fully enclosed box designed for the purpose and bolted to the car (and not the cardboard plate on the floor of the trunk!)

Otherwise, you risk either fire (caused by either hydrogen build-up or heat from a short) or injury by flying battery or chemical burn from the acid.
 
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What he said ^^

Usually it’s not properly secured, the cables are not run properly and the holes cut to run that cables don't have the proper grommets to prevent chafing, and they are not properly vented to keep gases from building up in the car / truck. They can be properly mounted in the trunk but I have yet to see one.
 
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