SAN DIEGO -- Drivers may soon have a bit more work to do at the gas pump, now that the state is recommending that gas stations get rid of gas pumps with clips that automatically squeeze the gas.

10News learned that around 200 gas stations in San Diego County will be affected.

The nozzle in question has a clip to let drivers lock in the handle while they do other things.

The California Air Resource Board said the clip is to blame for 13 spraying incidents in the past few months, which could pose a potential fire hazard or contribute to smog formation.

"Before the gas nozzle is actually inserted into the gas tank, gasoline is freely sprayed both onto the customer and onto the ground," said Daniel Berlant of Cal Fire.

Incidents similar to that now have the Office of the State Fire Marshal mandating that 3,000 gas stations -- about a third of all stations in the state -- remove or switch out the small, silver hold-open clips because of a possible design flaw.

The mandate only affects nozzles made by Vapor System Technology.

Drivers who spoke to 10News said they think the change for the gas pump is a good idea.

"I think it's necessary; life is very important," said driver Jose Marin Romo.

Driver Cazandra Cerna agrees. "If some of those people smoke it's going to be brutal. If you want somebody going down the freeway and they light up a cigarette, the car is going to blow up. What's going to happen after that? The family is going to sue the gas station for what is going on," she said. "If they have to change them, go ahead and change them."

A Vapor System Technology attorney said the company's nozzles are safe and already approved by the state to reduce pollution.

Regardless, station owners must comply by October 15.

Certain gas station owners with the specific nozzle will be required to switch out the entire nozzle, not just the clip.