Spilled Gas on My Smart :(

[emathis]

Hey all!

At lunch, I was filling up my For Two and was approached by some friendly folks who started asking questions about my car. While talking, I became distracted, overfilled the tank, and spilled some fuel on the side panel.
I was running late for work and didn't have a chance to wash the side of the car but plan to do so as soon as I get off work. I have a good coat of wax on the car, BTW. Should this bonehead be worried?

On another note, the car hasn't thrown any codes for overfilling.

Thanks for your help!
Eric

[jefferios]

you should be okay. I have dripped on my car from the pump valve. Nothing has happened.

[emathis]

Phew- thanks! This'll be a great excuse to give it a good mid-week wash.
Gotta quit being distracted by pretty women!

[WickedMessenger]

Rest assured that all appearance items on cars are required to pass fluids compatibility testing for a vast array of fluids likely to come in contact with the surface. This includes gasoline. But never, never get brake fluid on anything. Nothing is resistant to brake fluid.

[emathis]

Will do, and thanks for the info and peace of mind!

Too bad there's no way of retrieving the spilled gas, especially with gas over $4.00

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by WickedMessenger

But never, never get brake fluid on anything. Nothing is resistant to brake fluid.

not even brake lines?!

[WickedMessenger]

Brake fluid is hydroscopic, meaning it absorbs water from the air. Brake fluid with high water content is very corrosive. That's why, if you notice, one of the maintenance items in your smart's schedule is to change the brake fluid. I don't have the manual right here in front of me but I think it's 50 or 60 k miles. Brake fluid is nasty stuff and gets worse with time.

[Evilution]

Originally Posted by WickedMessenger

Brake fluid with high water content is very corrosive. That's why, if you notice, one of the maintenance items in your smart's schedule is to change the brake fluid.

Yes, brake fluid is hydroscopic.
Yes the brake fluid is corrosive.
Water will attack metal parts.
BUT
it is not the main reason for changing the fluid.

As the brake fluid absorbs water it lowers the boiling point.
The absorbed water begins to collect (usually at the bottom of the pipe), the collected water has a boiling point of 100 degrees which is in easy reach of a brake caliper.
Boiled water creates air, air in the brake system causes spongyness or total lack of braking as the air compresses instead of moving the caliper piston.

[jwight]

From spilled gas to brake fluid in one post - priceless.

I think the word we're looking for is hygroscopic; [Wikipedia]The similar-sounding but unrelated word hydroscopic is sometimes used in error for hygroscopic. A hydroscope is an optical device used for making observations deep under water.

Having said that, synthetic brake fluid seems to be less hygroscopic, and silicon (DOT 5) fluid absorbs no water. Sounds like a good thing but as pointed out above that can lead to the water pooling and affecting braking performance.

All braking systems have moisture in them. Other types of fluid absorb water easily. Unfortunately, silicone brake fluid does not absorb water. Since the water does not mix with the fluid, it will descend to the lowest point and form a puddle. This can lead to corrosion in your hydraulic system and may impair the functioning of your brakes.

Five Disadvantages of Silicone Brake Fluid - Associated Content

[Smart Enuf]

Originally Posted by jwight

From spilled gas to brake fluid in one post - priceless.

I think the word we're looking for is hygroscopic; [Wikipedia]The similar-sounding but unrelated word hydroscopic is sometimes used in error for hygroscopic. A hydroscope is an optical device used for making observations deep under water.

Having said that, synthetic brake fluid seems to be less hygroscopic, and silicon (DOT 5) fluid absorbs no water. Sounds like a good thing but as pointed out above that can lead to the water pooling and affecting braking performance.


Five Disadvantages of Silicone Brake Fluid - Associated Content

Speaking of silicone, have you seen the Double D's in this thread?

D Rings