Let's talk about gas caps or lack there of ...

[BeEmVe]

I am curious what folks think about vehicles that do not have a fuel filler cap and just have a filler door. I have rented a couple of vehicles without one and recently drove a friend's vehicle without one.

For the later along the way the door got whacked and one of the hinges broke. As such, the door did not close properly and naturally the engine check light came on.

In the case of this fuel door, the design was just crappy, made from plastic and cost $100 to replace. So I was not impressed.

On the rental cars I really did not pay too much attention to the quality of the door but will in the future.

What are others' impression??

[Efthreeoh]

I have a 2022 Ford with Ford's capless fuel fill system, which it pioneered on the 2005 Ford GT. I'm coming up on two (2) years ownership and 40 tank fills. It has worked flawlessly. It's well designed and robustly built. I'm not sure of its purpose however, as the vehicle has a funnel in the tool kit in case you have to refuel the vehicle using a gas can. It doesn't really save in production part count.

[grannyknot]

I have a Ford work truck with no gas cap, was strange getting use to it but it works perfectly. I have forgot to close the fuel door a few times and it closes by itself at 20 mi per hr.
One less thing to lose.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by bimmerdrop

I am against such cars

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Of all the things one can be bothered about in a car, why worry about the fuel filler? Yes, issues become more expensive to repair, but it takes away a common failure point with EVAP systems (filler cap gasket). Had one in a Focus ST for a year, and still have it in an Odyssey minivan (more than 4 years and 40k miles). Zero issues.
Would anyone really cross out a car solely for a lack of filler cap?

[nerdogray]

You can't buy the carbon fiber overlay if you don't have a cap.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by nerdogray

You can't buy the carbon fiber overlay if you don't have a cap.

Lol.

We have a capless filler on our Expedition. Works great, no complaints.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

Of all the things one can be bothered about in a car, why worry about the fuel filler? Yes, issues become more expensive to repair, but it takes away a common failure point with EVAP systems (filler cap gasket). Had one in a Focus ST for a year, and still have it in an Odyssey minivan (more than 4 years and 40k miles). Zero issues.
Would anyone really cross out a car solely for a lack of filler cap?

I wouldn't cross a car out but much like key fobs, it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist and is potentially going to be a PITA when the car is older. if (when) it fails, the fix is going to be crazy expensive vs a $30 gas gap. Modern cars are SUPER sensitive to the air/fuel mix and go into "see a dealer bucko" warning mode at the whiff of an incorrect mix. So when that rubber wears and you get this minute change in air/fuel mix, the fix is now complex.

It's utterly pointless, much like key fobs.

[JimmyJazz]

I had a C7 Grand Sport. It’s actually kinda nice not having to remove a gas cap. And they give you a special funnel in case you have to use a gas can.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I wouldn't cross a car out but much like key fobs, it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist and is potentially going to be a PITA when the car is older. if (when) it fails, the fix is going to be crazy expensive vs a $30 gas gap. Modern cars are SUPER sensitive to the air/fuel mix and go into "see a dealer bucko" warning mode at the whiff of an incorrect mix. So when that rubber wears and you get this minute change in air/fuel mix, the fix is now complex.

It's utterly pointless, much like key fobs.

Air/fuel ratio errors are a function of an air leak in the intake plumbing behind (post) the air mass flow sensor, not from a leaking fuel fill cap.

[RM7]

Don't have it (cap) on both of my GMs. Never thought about it ever.

[tigermack]

Works great on my Ford.

A lot of people don't know where to put their gas caps when they fill up, I've shown people that their gas door has a holder for the cap.

[MassWholeBimmer]

Same as others. No cap on my F150. No issues.

[2heeldrive]

My Chevy truck has a cap-less filler. I don't like it as I think it can introduce dirt into the fuel system and makes it hard to fill from a gas can. I found a rubber adapter at the hardware store that I use to "cap" it.

There are some advantages: Can't lose what isn't there, it is always tight (no check engine light), and is very easy to use for those with a physical infirmity.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Air/fuel ratio errors are a function of an air leak in the intake plumbing behind (post) the air mass flow sensor, not from a leaking fuel fill cap.

Call it what you will, i don't know the tech term but our former Hyundai, my Porsche and my in laws audi all needed new gas caps because they had worn and were confusing the EMS re. air/fuel.

[FC4]

Have people run out of things to complain about?

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by FC4

Have people run out of things to complain about?

Fuck no! I'm sure they would complain about gas caps if there weren't any capless vehicles.

I've had the capless stuff on a few cars and I personally love it. Never had issues. I also don't tend to have super old cars so what happens if/when it ever breaks is not really something I consider when picking cars.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Call it what you will, i don't know the tech term but our former Hyundai, my Porsche and my in laws audi all needed new gas caps because they had worn and were confusing the EMS re. air/fuel.

Gas caps function to allow the fuel tank to remain at atmospheric pressure while preventing fuel vapor from leaking to the atmosphere. A gas tank can't be sealed closed because a vacuum would form in the tank and eventually vacuum-lock the fuel flow. Perhaps what you are discussing is an OBDII trouble code due to a fault of the evaporative emissions system (EVAP) of the fuel tank. The common cause for EVAP codes are a faulty gas cap, loose gas cap, or a missing gas cap.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by 2heeldrive

My Chevy truck has a cap-less filler. I don't like it as I think it can introduce dirt into the fuel system and makes it hard to fill from a gas can. I found a rubber adapter at the hardware store that I use to "cap" it.

There are some advantages: Can't lose what isn't there, it is always tight (no check engine light), and is very easy to use for those with a physical infirmity.

Agree, that is my only concern is dirt infiltration, but I think it's easier to see the dirt on the capless system than a capped system. I just am diligent about keeping the filler clean.

[gblansten]

My car doesn't have a gas cap either. I don't miss having one.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by gblansten

My car doesn't have a gas cap either. I don't miss having one.

I see what you did there...

[BenitoBlanco]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I wouldn't cross a car out but much like key fobs, it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist and is potentially going to be a PITA when the car is older. if (when) it fails, the fix is going to be crazy expensive vs a $30 gas gap. Modern cars are SUPER sensitive to the air/fuel mix and go into "see a dealer bucko" warning mode at the whiff of an incorrect mix. So when that rubber wears and you get this minute change in air/fuel mix, the fix is now complex.

It's utterly pointless, much like key fobs.

Saying key fobs are useless is an insane take, lol. Literally one of the best things to happen to car keys ever. Just leave your singular fob in your pocket and get into the car. I don't see how that's not an improvement, especially when every car I've owned has had at least one failsafe in case the fob dies (which has never happened without a low battery warning to me in 15 years).