You know how some people seem to move through life with a level of weaponized obliviousness that simultaneously terrifies and intrigues you? The type of people who manage to put diesel into a gasoline car or who drive off with the gas nozzle still in their car? As it turns out, gas pumps have been designed with these folks in mind — the hoses have dedicated breakaway connectors that allow hoses to pop off without damaging the gas station and without spilling any gas. Steve-O of the “Jackass” franchise put these breakaway devices to the test to determine how easy it is to do. As is always the case with anything involving the “Jackass” franchise and any of its members, don’t try this at home.
According to the Petroleum Equipment Institute, most gas hose connectors can withstand around 250 pounds of pressure before separating. The instant the connector separates, a valve closes in both pieces of the hose to prevent fuel from spilling. Steve-O and his crew proved the effectiveness of this mechanism multiple times, and almost no fuel spilled.
Throwing caution and the scientific process to the wind, Steve-O enlists his friend who weighs around 400 pounds to tug on the hose and see what happens. Unsurprisingly, the connector designed to withstand around 250 pounds of force detaches and sends him tumbling backwards. Steve-O is able to swing from the hose twice without it detaching, but once his buddy jumps out of a truck bed to start his swing, the connector pops. Steve-O rides a bike through an outstretched hose and that also causes the connector to detach.
As it turns out, not only are gas pump hoses are relatively easy to detach, but they’re designed to do so safely, and they’re designed to re-attach relatively easily, too. According to a Business Insider interview with a gas station owner of 31 years,
If the nozzle and hose are intact and only the breakaway device is damaged, then the repair might run less than $100 , McCauley says. But if the nozzle is damaged, the repair could cost hundreds more. Different types of nozzles are used in different parts of the country, and they vary in price. They range from under $200 to more than $400, McCauley estimates.
As someone whose weight hovers around the 250-pound failure point of the connector, I won’t be tugging on any gas pumps any time soon, regardless of how affordable the repairs are. And for reference, if you do end up driving away with the gas pump in your car, just return it to the gas station. You’re not the first person to do it and you won’t be the last.
