Some Customers Speak Out Against Capless Fuel Fill
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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.
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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