Open Today Sales: 9 AM-6 PMOpen Today Service: 7 AM-6 PM
Lexus of Santa Fe invites you to understand what the signals of a defective gas cap are.
The 1st of many symptoms of faulty gas caps is a loose gas cap or a gas cap that will not tighten completely. This may not seem significant right away, but without an air-tight seal, the entire fuel system can be contaminated with grime and dirt. If the gas cap is not fitting properly, try checking the rubber gasket to be sure it isn’t missing or brittle. If you drive an old vehicle, make sure the metal gas cap isn’t bent or damaged. Both a bad seal or bent gas cap can lead to the gas cap problems and may require buying a replacement from the original manufacturer.
What concerns can a non-secure gas cap cause? How about a check engine light for starters? A non-secure gas cap will not only let fuel vapors escape the fuel tank, but it can also let in dirt and grime. These gasoline vapors can cause an error in the emissions system, which would cause the check engine light to turn on. Dirt and Grime that gets into the fuel tank could also contaminate the fuel injectors over time. Perhaps the biggest sign of a bad gas cap is the gasoline smell in your vehicle.
These days you could possibly see no gas cap on new cars, but if your vehicle was not constructed with a capless fuel tank, you shouldn’t drive without a gas cap installed. If your vehicle is a little older, there’s a possibility that fuel could leak out from the tank during aggressive corners or enthusiastic driving. Driving without a gas cap can also lead to poor gas mileage because the gasoline may evaporate without a fully-sealed gas tank. The gas smell is the gasoline evaporating from your gas tank, which can cause diminished fuel efficiency.
If you’ve already looked at the gas cap, the problems you are having may be caused by contaminated gas. If the car has problems starting, won’t accelerate, or just is not running right, then you might just have a bad tank of gas.
If your vehicle doesn’t feel right and you are not sure if it’s bad fuel or a bad gas cap, bring it on in, and our experienced service technicians will figure out the issue and fix the problem.
Lexus of Santa Fe is one of the best places to get vehicle repair in the Santa Fe area. We proudly service all makes and models of vehicles. Visit our location online or in person to schedule service and repair for your car or truck. Our friendly technicians are ready to serve you.
