A TikTok creator’s claim that Americans should wear masks while pumping gas because the fuel has been tampered with has had nearly 675,000 views and hundreds of comments from drivers saying their cars are suddenly jerking, burning through fuel, and throwing check engine lights.
The real explanation is almost certainly less dramatic than what the video suggests, but the underlying concerns about fuel quality aren’t entirely unfounded.
Quiskc87 (@quiskc87) posted the four-minute, 12-second video on April 2. His theory is that U.S. fuel has been compromised as part of a covert attack linked to tensions with Iran, and he urges viewers to wear a mask when they fill up.
Is Iran Tampering With U.S. Gas?
Quiskc87 bases his argument on two observations: that gasoline now looks clear (“almost like water”) instead of having its usual tint, and that it no longer smells the way it used to. He connects this to geopolitical tensions, suggesting that the U.S. is “being attacked” through its fuel supply.
“When we go to our gas pumps, when you let the fuel drip out, it’s clear, and it looks almost like water,” he says. “Any person, most people know if you’ve even just carried gas; gas has always had a tint.”
He concludes that “harsh chemicals” may have been added to fuel and that the risk extends beyond gas pumps. “It’s also in our electricity, which means that it can be in our ventilation systems,” he says.
There is no evidence to support the claim that U.S. fuel supplies have been sabotaged or contaminated by a foreign power.
What’s Actually Happening To Gas
What many drivers may be noticing is the wider rollout of E15 fuel—gasoline blended with 15% ethanol rather than the standard 10%. The EPA approved nationwide year-round E15 sales beginning in 2025 and has issued summer waivers allowing continued E15 sales through the 2026 driving season.
Ethanol is a clear, colorless liquid, and higher ethanol blends can make fuel appear lighter in color. E15 can also smell different from traditional gasoline. That accounts for two of the observations driving the video’s theory.
As for the car problems flooding the comments section, E15 is approved for all vehicle models from the year 2001 and newer, according to Consumer Reports. But ethanol is hygroscopic (it absorbs water), and higher ethanol content can cause phase separation, corrosion of older fuel system components, and rough running in vehicles not designed for it. For pre-2001 vehicles, E15 can trigger check engine lights, jerking, and fuel system damage.
Even in newer cars, a sudden switch from E10 to E15 can temporarily affect idle quality and fuel economy. Ethanol contains about 27% less energy per gallon than pure gasoline, which means a tank of E15 won’t take you quite as far as a tank of E10—a difference that would be noticeable to drivers who track their mileage closely.
Should You Actually Wear A Mask At The Gas Pump?
Brief exposure to gasoline vapors while filling up a car is not considered a significant health risk for the general public, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Gasoline does contain benzene, a known carcinogen, but a 2021 CDC-affiliated study found that the cancer risk from pumping gas at commercial stations does not reach unacceptable levels for consumers.
The risk is real for gas station workers with prolonged, daily exposure, but for someone filling up once or twice a week, the evidence does not support the need for a mask.
Wearing gloves, on the other hand, is a reasonable precaution. Gasoline can irritate skin, and pump handles are among the most germ-covered surfaces people regularly touch.
The Comments Section Tells A Different Story
Whatever the cause, the comments section was full of drivers convinced that something had changed.
“My car has been jerking,” wrote Fern777. “I have a 2024 Hyundai, the jerking didn’t start until last week when I filled my tank up.”
F Class, who identified himself as a semi-truck driver, wrote, “I’ve noticed no smell, clear colored fuel and fuel mileage is running way lower than normal. There’s something else in the fuel.”
DaddyMac, a delivery driver, agreed: “I been a delivery driver for 5 years. I can tell there’s no smell and it’s clear as well and it’s not lasting as long. I have to fill up more often now.”
Several commenters reported check engine lights appearing after fill-ups. “My engine light came on after pumping my gas,” wrote Iamher. Nikki added, “My car’s check engine light came on after this last tank of gas.”
A few voices offered practical fixes. Miriam suggested, “If your car is idling shaky or jerky get some fuel additive/fuel injector cleaner.” Miss B wrote, “I’ve been using non-ethanol gas and I put in just regular premium and it ran down so fast plus that was when my car started jerking. So I’m sticking with the non-ethanol.”
Commenter ligma_balls_305 came closest to the likely explanation: “It’s E15 gas, barely no ethanol, which is why it runs out faster and is damaging a lot of cars.” (The commenter had the ethanol content backwards—E15 means more ethanol, not less—but the broader point about E15 causing issues is supported by the data.)
For drivers worried about fuel quality, the simplest steps are to check whether your vehicle is E15-compatible (look for a label on the fuel door or in the owner’s manual), use a fuel injector cleaner periodically, and buy fuel from Top Tier-certified stations that meet higher additive standards.
Motor1 reached out to quiskc87 via TikTok direct message for additional comment. We’ll be sure to update this if he responds.
@quiskc87 #fuel #mask #iran #american #fyp ♬ original sound - quiskc87
