Capless fuel fill is now a much more common feature than in years past, when it was a rarity. According to research performed by GM Authority, GM currently offers capless fuel fill on 26 vehicles, including the new Blazer, third-generation Equinox, Corvette, Camaro, Silverado, and Sierra, as well as most Buick, Cadillac, and GMC models.
As the capless fueling technology becomes more commonplace and is used more and more by customers, some have begun voicing disapproval of the convenience feature. Stories of various complications can be found on the web, including frozen winter woes, where the flaps are frozen shut.
GM Authority reader Janet M. recently shared with us her discontent with the capless fuel fill system:
Whose brilliant idea was a capless gas tank??? What about the thousands of people who live on dirt roads? Or even commercials that show all that off-road driving? With no cap, when the nozzle pushes open the little flipper, the dust just falls into the gas tank. I wish engineers would think a little more about country people who actually need trucks and a little less about people who just want a status symbol. We love the Silverado, but a capless gas tank is just silly.
Tongue-in-cheek tone aside, we must say that we have not experienced any issues with the capless fuel fill system, even after driving hours on back-country dirt roads in the all-new, 2019 Silverado and Traverse, both of which feature capless fuel fill. As such, we would advise Janet to ensure that the fuel door on her truck is closed, as that would prevent any kind of debris (or dirt) from enter the compartment.
Capless Fueling System on 2014 Corvette Stingray
Daryl K’s comment takes another sarcastic tone (is this a theme?) in a much less substantive comment:
Is this what we’ve come to… that removing a gas cap is a big deal?
Though we wouldn’t call removing the gas cap “a big deal”, we do appreciate the convenience of not having to do so, especially in a world where saving a few seconds not doing something is a welcome convenience.
Have any feedback for Janet or Daryl? Share them in the comments section, below.
For more information on capless fuel fill, including a comprehensive list of every GM vehicle equipped with the system, see this link: GM capless fuel fill tech. Also, stay tuned to GM Authority for the latest GM news and GM discussions.
Comments
The cap thing is more a what if and what could than what really happens.
I own two and have not had an issue with either. The one has and overlap on the gas lit that keeps dirt and water out. The other has a rubber gasket on the lid.
What many do not know or understand is the flap on the outside has a second inside, it is a double flap system. Also if the seal is broken to let dirt in you would have a light come on for a unsealed gas tank.
The odds are greater the gas lid will freeze shut than the inner flap. Even then the nozzle would just free it.
If you are not happy with that covers are available if you really need one.
Note these systems are in place not for convenience they are to replace issues with caps sealing and setting off check cap warnings we all see.
We currently have 2 vehicles with the capless system. a 2016 Tahoe, and a 2017 XT5 (in addition to a previously owned CTS).
While there has never been an issue of freezing shut, quite a few times there has been an instance in the Tahoe where in super hot weather, or when the car was sitting in the sun all day the flap was a bit hard to “push down” with the fuel nozzle.
I personally like it, but at the same time it is just a bit of a pain in the a$$…..especially when one runs out of fuel and has to use a gas can to fill the tank.
When you use a gas can, do you make sure to use the funnel that is provided with the car?
Funnel?? What Funnel??? I never got one with my 2018 Grand Sport
I’m pretty sure you did. Mine (2017 Acadia) came with the tire changing kit. Look at page 208 of your manual.
https://my.chevrolet.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2018/Chevrolet/Corvette/2018-chevrolet-corvette-owners-manual.pdf
On my 2017 Acadia the the small spring loaded cap has lost its spring. It lays half open. Now what?
Pull up the carpeting in the right rear and there is a styrofoam filler with a cutout to hold the funnel. It’s either there or in the well on the left rear
Every GM vehicle equipped with capes fuel fill includes the funnel in question. It’s typically in the compartment that houses the spare and/or the tire inflator kit.
my 2018 silverado it was in the glove box
yea, and it is a piece of crap, it does not stay put, snaps off all the time and gas is everywhere!
It is worthless, I routinely put 10 gallons of gas in my Buick from gas cans. What am I supposed to do with that ridiculous tiny funnel.
I have a 2017 silverado with the capless system. I only have 26000 miles my truck and the outer door is sprung open. Water collects in the upper part of the neck during rain or car wash. In the winter time this will freeze. Just the pipe is $160 no telling what chevy will charge for shop fees. Don’t know yet if its covered under my certified warranty. In the future this is a darn expensive gas cap.Dose anyone know a way to convert it to a system with a cap?
I’m waiting for a aftermarket company to fix this issue on my 2017 GMC Sierra. Right now I put a tight rubber cap over the filler hole, which is a pain to get off to fill up. I also get a 442 code for this issue
I’m with you Charles… I have a 2017 Silverado with the capless system. I have less than 20,000 miles on my truck and the outer door spring broke and the cap is sprung open. You can’t just replace the cap either you have to buy the entire gas neck for $200 plus where I live just for the part. There should be a recall. Please give me my screw gas cap back! I looked for an aftermarket fix – nothing!
I got a quote from the local Chey dealer for over $700 to replace the fuel tube and neck. No other fix, according the the mechanic there.
Chevy, you must do a recall for those of us with the rubber disk that popped off the tiny little crappy mount and spring loaded sealer. It is a crap design and deserves some serious attention. Replace at your expense GM. and of course, mine broke just after the warrant ran out.
Thank you.
2019 3500HD
Just another government fix for a non problem. Sorry Millenials, I am almost 70 now and, except for twice in 50 + years of driving I had a cap missing (Oregon- another stupid government idea – the attendant left the cap on the pump after filling – had to buy a new one for $30+) and once while pulling a long trailer, had to quickly exit the station due to the tight area, pulling a trailer, I left the cap off and found it dangling at the next fillup. I now have a 6 gen camaro, want to add gas additive. Twice it had puked out after putting it in, with the stupid ass funnel.
I just wan a gas cap that locks or a gas door that locks for my 2019 che malibu LT
If it gets rid of the constant EVAP error codes you get on older model vehicles then thats a good thing. I had to replace my gas cap 3 times on my silverado. state inspection so was not a choice to ignore.
I work in a dealer, and own a 17 Silverado with capless fill. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve come across vehicles that a pump will either get stuck in (K2 Silverado’s several of them have done this) or just refuse to allow the fuel to properly flow into. Equinox’s are notorious around here for not allowing the tank to fill completely before clicking off the pump and not allowing you to fill it to full.
Just another government fix for a non problem. Sorry Millenials, I am almost 70 now and, except for twice in 50 + years of driving I had a cap missing (Oregon- another stupid government idea – the attendant left the cap on the pump after filling – had to buy a new one for $30+) and once while pulling a long trailer, had to quickly exit the station due to the tight area, pulling a trailer, I left the cap off and found it dangling at the next fillup. I now have a 6 gen camaro, want to add gas additive. Twice it had puked out the additive after putting it in while using the tiny stupid ass funnel. Up until that time, I thought it was cool, not so cool now!
This has nothing to do with the government they aren’t mandating this. Only American makers seem to be doing this most of the world doesn’t allow cap less systems.
Sorry to read about this, my wife’s has an Acura TLX, Capless Fill, SUX big time, Honda, Ford, GM needs to call a general recall, I have been researching this issue, we all have some form of problem, the Nozzle will not go in the Capless Fill, you are tapping the damn thing until you have to use another Pump, sometimes none of the pump at the Station allows you to pump so you drive to another and Hope, hope the fuel nozzle will go in the capless fill, once you are able to fill the car up, the fill mechanism will not release the fuel nozzle, you are twisting the damn thing, saying harsh words at it, until about a minute or two than you can take the fuel nozzle out, such a pain,
yup…exactly i have a 2019 capless and nozzle gets stuck constantly and wont let me fill it unless i go really slow. is there a recall?
To be fair I worked at a gas ration in the 80’s and stuck nozzles, fuel cutting off and other fill issues were common.
Most fill issues are due to the angles of gill tubes and the sensitivity of nozzles.
We had to change nozzles often due to early cut off.
Not a GM, but my Grand Cherokee is capless and I haven’t had any issues with it so far.
I just wish the filler neck was mounted more securely. As it is, the weight of the nozzle pushes down on the neck, so I have to stand there and keep the weight of the nozzle off of the neck. But this probably has nothing to do with the capless feature.
We waste hours screwing around on our phones but somehow we don’t have a few seconds to remove a fuel cap???? Yep, that makes sense.
Well its not a time issue to me. But I never liked letting the gas cap (which was attached by a cord in my previous cars) swing against the side of the car, potentially marring the finish in some way. I don’t see this as a time issue, but just as a “why not” issue. Can’t lose it, can’t forget it, and my fingers are less likely to smell of fuel. Seems like a winner, assuming it works. It is working fine for me in my Buick Regal TourX, so I like the feature a lot.
Every car has a clip on the cap door to hang the cap on. And if your fingers smell like fuel, you’re overfilling the tank. My issue with this system is that dirt & water get behind the door and collects around the filler hole. No system in the auto industry is air/water tight. This is just another in a long list of ‘Lazy Man Toy’. It will be another engineering screw up before long.
I have nothing but trouble. Give me the cap back
I want the cap. You leave us wide open for thieves. How can we protect our gas when the cost is rising so high? Would you leave your door open to your home? No! You would not! I want this fixed asap
I’m with Brenda B.
New Lease and a not so nice EX leaves us wide open to all sorts of bat crazy $4*+ happening via an unlocked gas tank access.
This is deadly and dangerous.
I’m seeing class action & recalls.
There is only one vehicle the I own that has capless gas fill, a 2018 Camaro SS. I haven’t experienced an issue with it until I wanted to add fuel injection cleaner in the tank /o cure a surging idle problem caused by the car sitting for months without running or driving (we were in the process of the last few trips before our house sold and finished the last load). I tried the long nick Cheveron FIC and it only filled the gap between the two flaps of the filler nick and puked out when I removed the bottle. I bought two small funnels and only one worked for my purposes, I tried the dinky on supplied by GM and it was a poor attempt to satisfy the need. I wouldn’t even want to think the diesel fill tanks would have this bad design, makes me cherish my 2018 silverado 3500hd and not want a newer one. I will think long and hard if I want to replace our 2007 Honda Pilot with over 220k miles, I don’t want another capless vehicle.
2017 Cadillac CTS Premium Luxury with no gas cap. Love it and have no problems with it, even in the now depths of a Canadian winter. Also had it on my company car – 2016 Malibu Premiere. Again, loved it and had no problems with it.
my question is what’s it going to cost to fix when the system fails compared to a five dollar gas cap? and I can see fuel filters being changed more frequently because of dust from gravel roads and yes a lot of people still live on gravel roads and drive on them daily
$625, that’s what it cost to replace when the system failed on my 2013 Mercury Milan Hybrid. In addition, not only did my check engine light come on, but my car instantly went into “limp home mode” at 25 mph. Imagine the wreck that would have caused if I’d been on the freeway in the fast lane! All because it leaked a microscopic amount of gas vapor into the air. If you value either your money or your life, never buy a car with a capless filler.
2017 Cadillac CTS, have had absolutely no issues with the capless fuel fill and actually love not having to wrangle with a gas cap.
I’m sure you drive the Caddy on gravel or dirt roads all the time? Wrangle a gas cap? I have a 2019 Silverado and the dust gets past both flappers when you push a nozzle in. I would think Chevy would offer something optional to cover it with so if I was to use my truck for what it’s intended to be used for I would have some protection.
I had a problem with my 2018 Silverado removing the nozzle so I sprayed the trap door with silicone and that freed it up. I bet too many people were going to the dealer when the check engine light came on because the cap was not tighten enought . also those gas caps cost a lot more than $5
My 2018 Cadillac CT6 has an issue when filling the tank.
The tank will not fill without the nozzle shutting off.
I suspect it is not venting properly.
Any hints to remedy problem?
What I did with my Corvette was to not quite insert nozzle all the way and I rotated it 90* so the handle was to the side. I think that prevented the nozzle sensor from falsely triggering shutoff. It worked fine that way, annoying but it worked.
I have the same car (2018 Caddy CT6) and the same problem. It gets worse as time goes on. It is frustrating! Anyone have a solution?
I have a 2014 XTS Premium. I don’t find the lack of a gas cap a major issue, however I think there should be a release inside the car to open it which would be a security measure against the possibility of being vandalized and gas syphon. My Dad was Cadillac man and prior to his demise he had a 2009 DTS fully loaded which had that feature. I wonder why GM has discontinued it?
With the capless system if you fill up gas cans to use to fill your vehicle later, the ribs on the can nozzle get stuck on the filler neck by the little door. It is hard to get the can nozzle out because of the way the filler neck is engineered, it gets stuck and is a pain to get free.
Had 2 C7 Corvettes and both had issues with filling because of the tight bends so the pressure sensor would cut off gas pump with only a gallon pumped into an empty tank. Had to hold the nozzle handle, insert part way in and rotate it 90* from vertical and use no more that the first auto fill notch on the handle if I wanted to get a full fill up without having to hold the handle. Costco pumps for example are high pressure fast fill pumps and those were a problem unless I did the gyrations above
My 2015 Sting Ray has capless filling. I find this feature convenient and have had no problems at all. the car comes with a special funnel to use with a gas can. Haven’t used that yet.
My 2018 Sierra is capless but I wasn’t given a special funnel.
https://my.gmc.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2018/GMC/Sierra/2018-gmc-sierra-owners-manual.pdf
Page 302.
I will ask my dealer for it. Thanks.
Also don’t forget to take the funnel out after use. I left mine in once and the vehicle showed a check engine light because the funnel was allowing air to get into the tank. I cost me a dealer service appointment for them to figure it out but that’s all it was.
Don’t try to add injector cleaner or a gas can without incerting the “special” spout that comes with the vehicle.
Found out the “hard “ way –
Injector cleaner did not open the second flap and when I removed the bottle it ran all over the side of truck –
How could anybody have a problem with this?
We have had no problems on our 2017 GMC Acadia. This an interesting topic , however, because I was filling my tank a few months back and a lady close by was trying to get the gas cap off on what appeared to be a relatively new Mercedes SUV, and it broke. The turn handle part separated from the stopper part, which stayed in the filler neck. She was understandably upset because she couldn’t refuel her vehicle and she told me she was close to empty. I tried to help but to no avail. Obviously, any part can break but I remember thinking how thankful I was to have the capless system on our Acadia.
Yeah I’m just worried that the nossle May get stuck in there.
It seemed like it wants to hang up in there .
Had to pull hard once to get it out –
I agree and once I did pull it out I got sprayed with gasoline, apparently I was supposed to wait before I pull the nozzle out.
sounds like you did not release the nozzle trigger
Bruce,
It’s exactly like sex. ?
If the cap-less tank termination could be removed like a regular gas cap…. I’d buy one! Then I’d keep a manual one somewhere in the garage for when the stupid automatic thing goes bad. Then I can either fix the dumb one myself later with a Pilot pen spring lol if I need to. While we’re at it, can we do the same thing with automatic transmissions? They make it easy for stupid people to drive.
I had a problem when the gas pump filler had to big a diameter to open the door.
As I understand the system. the larger filling nozzle is for gas that modern cars can’t handle. The smaller nozzle is for modern car engines. If the nozzle is too large, the gas is not for your car engine.
No problems with my 19 Cruze LS. Hopefully when it gets older It will continue to be trouble free.
I own a 2017 Colorado and have had multiple problems with the fuel door freezing shut. I live on a gravel road and worry about the dust getting into my fuel when I fill up but at 16,000 miles have not had a problem yet. The door issue really sucks though.
Attempted to fuel my 2018 Equinox. Could not get the fuel nozzle to open the flap. Station attendant tried to help. He says this “idea” is a piece for crap. Wife would let m put the car in the garage. The smell of gas fumes was too great. Drove to dealer. They have to keep the car two weeks, part on back order. The engineers did not have enough to do when they “invented” this dumb a–…… The car has only 1,800 miles. What a joke. No car for two weeks.
Did you get a loaner? If so then what’s the problem?
HD Chevy & GMC Agriculture Work Trucks in Nebraska are exposed to constant extreme weather & dust. Yes 24 hour-a-day gravel road dust but FIELD dust is baby powder fine and sticky. We have one (1) Chevy 2500 single cab work truck under 6000 miles with the new (horrible) gas capless system. The engine is not performing well at all due to all the dirt getting into the tank daily. We plan to get rid of this truck after harvest (if it makes it that long). Nebraska farmers will NOT be buying trucks without gas caps! You better design a truck for farmers that works! If city people want gas capless vehicles fine. Capless gas/def tanks DO NOT WORK for people in extreme dirt!
I really don’t get capless gas tanks. Is removing a cap that much of a chore? Are we becoming that lazy?
Why complicate something that works well?
Having said that, it should be easy to make a little rubber type condom that could fit over this. It would be sad to get rid of a vehicle due to such a petty issue. Although it could be very real for some.
I believe that ford pickups have had capless fuel tanks for years
i bet this came about because owners did not tighten the caps enought and they got a check engine light and went back to the dealers.
2012 Ford Explorer with a code due to a fuel tank sealing leak. It was diagnosed as the cap not sealing. The entire fuel neck has to be changed and is damn expensive. While I’ve never had to change a gas cap, it would be a much easier fix. This appears to be a common failure.
Could you just add a cap with a glued-in pipe to fit in place in the nozzle opening.
need to check if the neck its made whit rubber then find a new base whit a cap, and delete the old one or make some adaptation whit cap as long its seal well the Computer wont trigger any alarm at the dashboard.
One potential issue down this path is seal/spring fatigue, this design looks like it will last the warranty length.
This will definitely be a top seller part in Rock Auto a few years from now, kind of like those reusable plastic oil filter
covers…
2018 Chevy Silverado, bought brand new. Just had to take it in for repair because it supposedly had water in the fuel. Never had this happen on any other vehicle before. Coincidence!?!
Sorry guys, its just a excuse of the manufacture that the capless is better etc etc. its just a brain wash.
When the system will brake will cost you to replace it a leg and an arm !! its not the same when you loose the cap
and buy one for $10 or what ever no more than $20 !!!! This is another way to make more money for them. I bet the cost of replace the unit will be more than 100$ plus dealer time
Everything is money, money money……….
just cost us close to $600.00 to have the wife’s 2017 GMC repaired ,the gasket just behind the spring loaded d
fuel flap “dissapeared” there is no option other than full replacement of fuel filler neck all the way to the fuel tank …piss poor design
Buy a fuel plug, solved!
Have a new 2020 gmc 1/2 ton diesel with capless fuel system. The I run it through the car wash the area above the top flapper fills up with water. Need to wipe it out before filling or it will dump into the tank. Came from a big duramax to this mini duramax and I had to top the old one off to get it full. It would take 3 gallons after the first click off. Tried that on this one and it overflowed at the third click. Also there is a leak at the top of the tank when over full. Dealer looked and said it was because it had been over filled and not to fill it past the first click. I will see if it still leaks after filling up to first click.
Tom, I think that is a lame excuse by the dealer about it over flowing. If you every tried to get more gas in the tank, it would come out at the filler neck. NOT someplace else. I know when I fill my 2009 corvette I can’t put any more in at the first click or it will overflow from the filler neck. I’ll have to try my 2018 GMC truck and see how much more I can get in after the first click..
I have a 2019 Tahoe, and besides not being able to fill my gas tank with the new cap less system, I have few complaints. The reason I cannot fill my tank is, when I do and I drive anywhere for the next week I have gas all over the side of my Tahoe pouring out the fill neck. I have been looking for a way to add an actual gas cap to my Tahoe so I can actually fill it up and not need to worry about destroying the paint, tires, rim because General Motors decided they want to save 63 cents by not using a gas cap.
I have been looking for one (with a gas cap) that I can use to replace the original factory one but cannot locate one yet. May have to end up making one to do the job. Then I just need to make sure it will not void the warranty
Capless, is a cost hit compared to caps. If you are having problems with refueling it is more likely a bad tank check valve, a plugged fresh air line, or a kinked hose in the system. I would no so quickly blame the capless. from reading what your issue is this is more likely your issues.
Hey Brian, try to make it tight, because has to be keep certain pressure at the fuel tank or you going to get a faulty code.
Thus way I bought a Tacoma, they still using the cap ! Jeep, GM Ford they stop to offer whit gas cap, very sad what does the money !
After I made this last post, I was looking for a suitable replacement and I think I found one. It is actually a GM part as well. GM Filler Pipe (84695998) 2017/2020 and the 2019 Tahoe is listed as one of its applications
I too have a cap less GMC. My spring broke and now it’s just hanging there. Now what?
I have a broken spring on my capless gas tank what now? Is it an easy fix. Who do I complain to. Just 44,000 miles on my Acadia.
What prevents someone from pouring something harmful into your gas tank, if no inside lock?
what about stilling gas, easy done. Its happened a friend of my
2017 GMC Sierra. My issue is that a sensor lit up my engine light. Dealer says it the capless fuel filler. Been having issues with this for months with the opening and now its out of warranty. Wow, $338 to have the filler neck replaced. Looking to fix with a rubber type cap to cover the opening. Did this dumb idea come from gas filling at Nascar?
This system is a joke. 1st time since owning this chevy thst it has got below freezing and I am unable to fuel up my truck. 1st flap was froze shut and once I was able to open that it revealed the entire area behind the 1st flap is an ice cube. What a flipping joke. Good enough reason to never buy another chevy!!!! Thankfully I was not on dire need of fuel.
I own a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. Will GMC cover the charge if some idiot who hates you cover the repair if I get some sand or sugar poured into my gas tank? I bet they would not do it for free. Ask a mechanic if that is good or bad for an engine.
Capless fuel fill is a ridiculous gimmick. I just ordered a Sierra I will replace the filler with a capped version asap. As for the funnel, “Are you kidding me?”
is there a universal gas cap thet yiu can buy for a capless malibu 2021? For security reasons and to make sure car doesnt get vandalized?
Can’t prevent fuel theft/syphoning
There’s a screen to prevent theft, but nothing to prevent someone from pouring something harmful into the tank.
How come my tank was emptied? Can you tell more please?
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With a capless filler, how can it be locked so some idiot teenage (or another idiot who doesn’t know what gasoline can do to his lungs) cannot siphon gas out of my tank? I bought a locking cap for my capped one when it happened to me a dozen years ago, and yes, I’m still driving my 2007 mini-van.
I have a 2021 Buick Encore with a cap less system so here is my question that NOBODY seems to answer, not even the dealerships. When I go through the touchless car wash the jets open my door, it stays open, so on the next round of jets soap and water splash right on they called system. Can they guarantee no water will get in my fuel? (No, never heard of that happening before, there answer is go to a soft touch car wash instead) so I did, now it does stay shut, however when I go through the blowers the gas door flaps in and out. I am afraid it’s going to rip off at some point. I have been to 6 different car washes and the dealership says we can’t co tell that. I ask if I can PAY to have a locking door put on, they said no. My car has been at the dealership now for over 2 weeks cause the Turbo went out. I am very disappointed all around and feel like my concerns were not being taken seriously. I will never by another GM product. I have only had the car since May 27. Madison Zimbrick East is where I went. It has been a problem from the beginning.
While this is a poor design, a solution (while waiting for a new car without this feature) is to lock your car doors while the car is in the car wash. When your door is locked the door on the body of the cars filler location will not open. FYI, I hate these as well
i have a 2017 chevy silverado 1500 2 door, reg cab with 28,000 miles. the small door closer is stuck opened, junk!!!!! to replace the capless neck, $150 plus labor. lucky i found this company on ebay that sells a very tight fit rubber boot, about $5, and it works great!!! and where can i buy just the upper fuel filler neck, capless?
Have had both 2017 and 2018 Chevy and GMC 1500’s. Gravel roads and capless fillers don’t mix. 2017 needed a new fuel pump, 2018 has needed 2. Every time you fuel up you scrape the dust into the tank and the fuel pumps get full of dirt. My dealer said gmc doesn’t care about people using their trucks for work in Canada because they sell more trucks in California and Florida where everything is paved.
I’m just an old Marine Veteran who used to wrench in the 80’s. Call me old-fashioned, old-school, old fart. Regardless, there’s that old saying: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Of course there’s always Red Green’s “if it ain’t broke, you ain’t trying hard enuff!”
Regardless, what always gets me is folks who think it’s their calling to simply dis anyone who doesn’t go along w change. If people who got it say they’re having problems then who are you all to say they’re not? In essence you’re just calling them liars.
Now I got on here bc i finally figured out my loose gas cap problem is either bc of the neck rusting out or something, or in my humble estimate, just another piss poor design. The old screw on caps have been working gr8 for yrs & yrs. This one on my 2006/07 Silverado from Canadia (& yes, despite the 06/06 production dt it’s a mix of both yrs, but that’s another adventure) clicks but then loosens immediately. It appears to rely on a very narrow catch.
Anyways in my humble estimate it sounds like something that deserved a recall bc in all the yrs of all the vehicles I’ve ever owned, the vast majority being GM’s, I’ve never had any problems w the gas caps not securing. Another attempt to go cheap. Experience always shows when you tamper w things that aren’t broke, problems will follow. And no. Thinking you can make an airtight seal for this lazy man’s problem in a vehicle is simply either rooted in arrogance or ignorance, the latter being easily curable by simply exposing one to the truth, the facts, whilst the 4mer requires the hand of God. But alas I digress.
Anyways that’s all from this old whatever you want to call me.
I work at a Costco Gastation so I’m assisting hundreds of people every day. These capless gas filler necks are a pain in the neck! They keep jamming so people cannot insert the nozzle or clamping down on the nozzle so they cannot remove it when finished. This form of engineering is a waste of time and money. No one is so busy they cannot take the time to unscrew a gas cap and then double check to make sure you replace it when refueling is complete.
Our 2020 Buick Enclave has given me a perspective. In June 2021, the gas nozzle got caught on the flapper and could not be removed. I wasn’t patient and ripped the flapper out when yanking the gas nozzle out.
Then just last Monday, someone siphoned our full tank. This was a hit costing over $100 at today’s gas prices. No option for a locking cap as no cap fits at all!
Dennis, the small nozzel was developed for UnLeaded gas, back in the 70s. The leaded gas pumps “normal size” would not fit so you would not fill with leaded gas in a non-leaded vehicle – Another Government Regulation! FYI – High speed Diesel pumps have large nozzels.
I got 2019 chev malibu LT with capless gas tank no gas cap and no lock on gas door or cover and realy thinking about taking car back and get another car for some where else.
I read about 30+ comments and nobody mentioned what I believe is the true reason for this worthless-flavor-of-the-month-idea, and that’s money. This is just that, a way for manufacturers to save a few cents.
I have a 2017 Sierra and the top door is broken but the bottom door is still ok.I put a spray can cap to keep stuff from falling inside the tank.First time it triggers a code I’m going to see if a neck with a real cap fits Anyone done this yet please post so all can make the best choice for their vehicle
Well, I have been driving with caped Gas Filler Tubes since the late 60’s and I do appreciate the tethered caps, I lost an expensive cap on my 99 Aurora, thanks to Oregon’s gas attendant law, he left it on the pump, I was on a trip and didn’t catch it until I was in California (the teather was broken). Those improvements are good! The mandated Evaporated Gas Caps of the 80′ and on were an a problem as they got older (Thanks California). The current 2000 and on caps, were good, I never had a problem with one ever on 4 different vehicles and 100’s of thousands of miles driven. Now, the Non-Cap Filler Tubes, so far have only been a pain when I need to add FI Cleaner Additives, that POS free one from GM is a looser, spills more than it takes and at the wrong angle. I bought 3 different special capless funnels before I found one that mostly worked. It is hard for me to believe some engineer designed the funnels for the capless fillers without testing them before sending the file out for production. That person must have been in the bottom one percentile of the graduating class. I don’t have a problem with the capless for gas filling yet (I have a 18 Camaro with 27K miles and a 23 Nissan with 200 miles, both capless) so far, not that many miles and fills, other than adding from a bottle. I don’t even want to think of having to fill my tank from a gas cal and those Stupid A.s new Filler nicks and have to use a damn funnel as well! No one has even mentioned that from the posts I have read. Not to wish that on anyone, but if it happened to those who praise the capless Filler, I am not so sure they would be singing any good notes afterwards! Now, I hope the idiots in charge do not put capless on Diesel fillers! If you run Diesel you know most fill nosels are filthy and you don’t want that flapper scraping the dirt and grime off into your tank! If they do proceed down the slide of stupidity in the newer Diesel vehicles and I ever need to replace my 18 Silverado, I will remove that monstrosity and replace it with a cap Filler and to he.l with the F-ed Up EPA! By the way my BS is in Engineering and I knew great engineers and not so great engineers. I am aware most sudo science EPA BS was not so thought out, mainly because of Politics and their sudo science!
“after hours of driving” and “is sarcasm a theme?” Let me state this clearly as a mechanic and a country raised man. Yes sarcasm is the theme for a fix we didnt need want or ask for. This is a problem for people that do more than spend a couple of hours in the county on dirt, mud and gravle. The fact that people are so happy to spend their entire lives staring at a screen but cant take the 2 seconds to open a gas cap is just one picture of what stupid really looks like. I did horrible in school, im sure you can tell im not so great with gramer and the like, and ill happily admit that. However after nearly 30 years on this planet ive experienced enough and ive seen enough to believe it when people that know me tell me things like “youre the most intelligent person ive ever met.” Or “its like you were meant for so much more!” Because no one else in my generation really takes the couple of seconds to think ” whats the real problem here?” When a gas cap needs replaced to fix the evap code. The answer isnt to delete the gas cap. That was utterly completely stupid. Make a better gascap. Thats where the problem lies. So fix it. If we make car and truck gas tankes as complex as the new age gas cans like we use to fill our mowers with the world will come to a screeching hault because itll be so needlessly over engineered that it will become unusable un fix able and generally usless. But then we may all get fed up and buy a new car that we cant afford and we shouldnt need because its got this new thing called a gas cap! Oh my!
Like the beginning of the article says, you can go to home Depot and spend three bucks on a plastic PVC cap and that’s the end of that problem. Everything has a solution.
So, I’m looking for a new vehicle. Primarily a Chevrolet. I’m seeing that a good amount of these vehicles have the ‘Capless fuel fill’ (Trax). I googled the capless………and find that you just press on the gas tank door a little to open. So basically, ANYONE can do this to a vehicle????? I don’t see the safety. Is there no longer a gas tank door release lever? Just as I’m a ‘gas’ person for a vehicle, I’m not an electric car person. Therefore, I’d prefer to have MORE safety for My tank and have a release lever where ONLY I can perform such and NOT having ANYONE just come around and start pressing to release the gas tank door!!
GM Authority reader Janet M. At first, I thought you were going to say something intelligent. Just because I don’t live in the country doesn’t mean that my truck is merely a status symbol. Sterio type much!!! Besides, a Cadillac, BMW, 1970 Ford pinto or pickup truck, those are all a choice preference. Last I knew people living in the Good Ole USofA have a right to free choice and to be free to choose without being attacked for exercising their rights, and for you to do so is just silly.
When the $2 outer tab on top of my 2019 Silverado cap less fuel fill tube, popped off its flimsy tiny metal mount, my local dealer had just a single fix…replace the entire filler tube. $375 part, $400 labor, all day loss of my vehicle. Engineering Failure. Chevy should recall and replace for free.
Never again!
While I appreciate that you spent ‘hours driving on dirt roads’ and encountered no issues… I have over 90 thousand miles on my Silverado I bought in the spring of 2020. I drive on dirt roads daily, harsh cold, snowy conditions or hot highway driving throughout the year.
The finest layer of dust and dirt works its way into every nook and cranny! Give me a fricken gas cap FFS! I literally PUSH dust, ice, snow, etc, directly into the neck of my gas tank because a $5 part and extra 3 seconds was apparently just too much for someone. Not I! HEAR ME… I. WANT. A GAS. CAP.! Creepin on 100k miles, I’m due for a new truck… don’t make me shop out a Ford… that’s just cruel. I’ll go Dodge if I must but after already filing for a buyback with Chrysler, I’d rather not… Just give me a gas cap and a good tranny so I can stay with Chevy. PLEASE!! 😬
They do have gas caps available and gas cap covers thar just covers the cas fuel . I have gas cover just like a cap only place over the cap fues area .