Town North Nissan invites you to understand what the signs of a malfunctioning gas cap are.
The first of many symptoms of bad gas caps is a gas cap that is loose or a gas cap that won’t completely tighten. This may not seem significant at first, but without an air-tight seal, the fuel system can be contaminated with dirt and grime. If the gas cap isn’t sealing properly, try checking the gasket to make sure it’s not brittle or missing. If you drive an older vehicle, make sure the metal gas cap isn’t damaged or bent. Both a bad seal or bent gas cap can cause gas cap issues and might require a replacement from the original manufacturer.
What issues can a loose gas cap cause? How about a check engine light just for starters? A loose gas cap will not only let fuel vapors escape, but it can also let in dirt and grime. These fuel vapors could trigger errors in the emissions system, which could light up the check engine light. Dirt that gets into the fuel tank could also damage injectors. Perhaps the biggest indicator of a faulty gas cap is the smell of gasoline in your car.
These days you may see no gas cap on new cars, but if your car wasn’t made with a capless fuel tank, it is not recommended that you drive without a gas cap. If your car or truck is a little older, there is a chance that gasoline could escape from the gas tank during hard cornering or other spirited driving. Driving your vehicle without a gas cap could lead to diminished fuel efficiency because the gas might evaporate without the correct seal on the fuel filler. The gas smell is the fuel evaporating from the tank, which can cause diminished gas mileage.
If you have already inspected the gas cap, the problems you’re having may be caused by contaminated fuel. If your car, truck, or SUV has difficulty starting, will not accelerate, or just isn’t running correctly, then it’s possible you just have a bad tank of gas.
If your car does not feel normal and you are not sure if it’s bad fuel or a bad gas cap, bring it in, and our experienced service techs will figure out the issue and give you options for fixing the problem.
Town North Nissan is one of the best places to get vehicle repair in the Austin 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.
