I did not know that in my case, if the gas cap is left off my van while operating, eventually the "Service Vehicle" warning light comes on. No damage has been done and the warning only needs to be turned of, but such a pain.
Ive never left mine off so don't know if I'd get a warning but probably... Mine is attached to the car and I couldn't close it if it was still dangling.
@Kalvin Mitnic Not only left off, but merely left on, untightened. The aim was to combat some untold zillions of pounds of gasoline vapors being released into the environment annually. Those vapors contain, (shudder), Benzene, among other carcinogens. Thus, elaborate schemes were devised to stem these emissions. But, regarding offenders, look closely at the layout of the place you buy your fuel: usually, several fairly tall pipes may be seen protruding from the ground, perhaps 3" in diameter; these are the pipes "venting" the buried fuel storage tanks. I have yet to see one installation having a vapor-recovery ability for those vents, despite the "vapor-recovery" dispensers which every big urban area dweller has come to hate. Today's vehicles universally have "zero-vapor" fuel emissions controls designed-in. How? The gas tank cap seals the tank filler tube, has a one-way valve built in which allows outside air to enter the tank, thus replacing fuel which has been consumed by the engine. Meanwhile, since gasoline is volatile and evaporates even while confined within a tank, a "vapor-collecting" canister gathers those dangerous gasoline fumes, confines them within itself via activated Charcoal dust, then at controlled intervals releases those pent-up vapors into the engine to be burned as "fuel", which they are. A rather convoluted and intricate scheme requiring a number of computer input sensors, (tank vapor pressure sensor), canister pressure sensor, computer-controlled valves to block vapor from entering canister from tank while allowing it to dump it's contents into the running engine, fail-safe sensors to warn of failed main system components. It ain't really complicated, quite simple, actually, but costly to employ on the overall vehicle build. These types of governmentally required systems, being universally-required regardless of maker or destination of product, has pushed new vehicle prices up to unprecedented heights. Have you noticed? Frank
{ Have you noticed? } I've recently noticed auto sales ads discounting up to $ 12,000 on 'ad ons' for certain models. The first house I had built..$ 10,900. First car I bought $350.00 Bottom line... I've noticed.
Yes, have noticed too. Remember a mild shock when when seeing car ads which cost more than my house. Keep thinking at som,e point we'll have to start over. But how?
I've left a half dozen or off vehicles., left them on some gas pump or lying on my car somewhere. Never found most, buy another.
Even when mine wasn't attached @Bill Boggs Ive never left without it on....I'm OCD about those type of things.
My petrol cap is attached so it can't be left off.... if I did for any reason it would soon become apparent by the knocking on the side of the car as soon as I drove away...
Car discounts on certain models are more than my first brand new then just built brick house 3 bedroom.
In 1975 I bought a Chrysler Córdoba for $3,500. I drove that car until 2012. In 2015 I bought my KIA Sportage for $35,000. So yes I too notice the difference. We purchased our home 30 years ago for what my newest car cost.
I try to keep a vehicle for 10 years now since we don't drive much after retiring. We like vans since they're handy for everything. In 'the day' I had some 'beasts' that made people (and cops) stop as BrrrVvvvvROOOMED by, not no more. BTW I too " know why old women don't tell", they don't remember.
My "new car" is already 5 years old and it still seems very new...think I have about 25,000 miles on it but I'd have to check.
Chrissy Cross, My petrol cap is attached so it can't be left off.... if I did for any reason it would soon become apparent by the knocking on the side of the car as soon as I drove away... Caps attached we're not always so. I usually figured out i had lost mine when i went to put another dollars worth of gas in my jalopy.