A vehicle’s gas tank is made to house the gas needed for the engine to run. It is a strong yet delicate place to tamper with. The gas tank is supposed to house the fuel and fuel additives only. Anything other than that should not find its way into the gas tank.
Some people like to experiment things. They like to do things to know what the outcomes will be. Putting sugar inside the gas tank is one of them. Therefore, is it Illegal to put sugar in a gas tank?
Yes, it is illegal to put sugar in a gas tank and can be judged as a felony or misdemeanor depending on the motives behind the action.
Is it Illegal to Put Sugar in a Gas Tank?
Yes, it is illegal to put sugar in someone’s gas tank especially when the person did not give his consent.
The gas tank is a place where the gas is stored hence nothing else should find its way inside the tank except fuel addictive such as fuel injector cleaners, catalytic converter cleaners, etc.
However, it is wise to say that it may not be illegal to put sugar in a gas tank if you are the owner of the car. Since it’s your car, you can do whatever you like with it as long it doesn’t affect others and jeopardize public safety.
However, when you put sugar in someone else gas tank without that person’s permission or consent, it becomes illegal. You can be prosecuted for that.
For example, if you and your friend wants to experiment to know what happens when you put sugar in your gas tank, you can agree and put sugar in your gas tank.
Doing this may not be considered illegal because you both agreed to do so. However, when there’s no agreement it then it becomes an illegal thing to do.
Why is it Illegal to Put Sugar in a Gas Tank?
It is illegal to put sugar in a gas tank because sugar is not a fuel additives and can damage your engine.
When someone puts sugar inside your gas tank, it’s an act of wickedness especially when you’re not aware. The motive of that person could be to destroy your engine. So it’s Illegal.
When is Putting Sugar in a Gas Illegal?
Putting sugar in a gas tank is illegal if the person did so without your consent or permission. It becomes Illegal. The motive of the person may not be pure.
For example, if you just caught your ex husband putting sugar in your gas tank, it is wickedness and Illegal as that could damage your engine. The sugar can even damage your fuel pump and the fuel filter.
When is OK to Put Sugar in a Gas Tank?
It may not be illegal to put sugar in a gas tank when the person got your approval to do so. Also, it may not be illegal to put sugar in your gas tank if it is your car. You already known the dangers of what you’re about to do.
Moreover, is there anytime it is okay to put sugar in a gas tank? When you flip all the pages of your car manual, you won’t see anywhere they recommend putting sugar in your gas tank. Therefore, there’s no need doing so.
Some people may want to do it to know whether it will ruin their engine or not. The sugar may not ruin the engine but will affect its general performance.
Since sugar does not melt when mixed with gas, the fuel filter may filter some of the sugar and prevent them from making their way into the fuel pump which may cause the fuel pump to fail suddenly or clog up the filter.
The fuel injectors may not be spared as well. The sugar may clog the injectors preventing them from injecting the amount of fuel required for the engine to run.
Depending how long you decide to drive your car with sugar in the gas tank, it may or may not ruin your engine. But one thing it’s sure, it will obviously affect the general performance of the engine. You will experience a reduced engine power.
Legal Consequences of Putting Sugar in a Gas Tank
The legal consequences of putting sugar in a gas tank are:
1. You can be Sued
If you are caught putting sugar in his car, he can charge you to court and have you come tell the court why you decide to do so, because sugar is one of the worst things you can put in a gas tank.
If the person has enough evidence both in video footage and security camera footages with eye witness, you will not win the case because it is an illegal things to do without the person’s consent.
2. You Can be Charged For Felony
You can be charged for felony if someone catches you putting sugar in his gas tank. However, the judge will decide whether the case is a felony or not by:
- The Motives Behind the Person’s Action: If the person is not aware that what he’s putting inside your gas tank is sugar, if the person has your approval to do so, and if the person did it to spite you. These are different motives.
- The Local Laws: If the local laws if your state of residence are seriously against such action.
- The Cost of Repairs: The judge may also consider the cost of repairs when deciding whether it’s a felony or not.
3. You can be Charged for Misdemeanor
As reiterated earlier, the motive behind the action, your local laws, and the cost of repairs will determine whether the judge will rule the case as a misdemeanor or as a felony.
Conclusion
Since it’s illegal to put sugar in a gas tank, you should avoid doing so. Moreover putting sugar in your gas tank will affect the general performance of your car and could end up ruining the engine.
