In order to release gas from your vehicle’s fuel tank, you need to know where the gas release lever or button is located. This can vary depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle. Generally speaking, the gas release can be found either inside the vehicle, typically near or on the driver’s door, or outside the vehicle, behind the fuel door. Knowing where this release is and how to operate it properly is important for refueling your car.
Inside Release
Many vehicles, especially older models, have a mechanical gas release lever located inside the vehicle. This is usually near the floor, either on the driver’s side door or around the driver’s left foot area next to the seat. To release the fuel door, you simply pull up on the lever and it will mechanically open the fuel door. Some common locations include:
- On the lower driver’s side door panel
- Built into the floor near the driver’s seat
- Behind a small access door in the driver’s footwell
- On the left side kickpanel
If you cannot easily locate the lever right away, check your owner’s manual to identify where it is. In some cases it may be an inconspicuous handle tucked away out of plain sight. Referring to your manual can help you find it quickly.
Outside Release
Many newer vehicles do not have a gas release lever inside the car. Instead, the release is located outside behind the fuel door. There will usually be a small lever, button, or latch here to open the fuel door. This allows the vehicle manufacturer to utilize a remote release system from inside the car, where pressing a button simply activates the fuel door remotely. However, a manual release still exists behind the door as a fail-safe.
On most vehicles, the fuel door is located on the rear driver’s side quarter panel. It may be near the rear wheel well or towards the back of the car. Look for a slit, indent, or logo denoting the fuel door’s location. Then, inspect right behind it to find the release mechanism. If you are unable to locate it, check both sides of the vehicle or the owner’s manual.
Some common types of fuel door releases include:
- A small lever that flips up or down
- A push button that clicks in
- A latch that twists or slides
- A tethered cap that pulls open
The release may be labeled “fuel door release” or with a gas pump icon. Simply operate the release according to its design to open the fuel door.
Emergency Fuel Door Release
In some situations, especially if the vehicle has lost power, you may find both the interior and exterior releases do not open the fuel door. As a last resort, most vehicles have an emergency fuel door release cable accessible from inside the trunk or cargo area.
Consult your owner’s manual for the location. In many cars, you will need to peel back trunk carpeting or access a panel behind folded seats to find a manual release cable. Give this cable a firm tug and it should pop open the fuel door. Use care when pulling the emergency release, as too much force could damage it.
Key Release
A small number of modern vehicles feature a fuel door release built into the key fob remote. Oftentimes, this is a secondary press of the unlock button after unlocking the doors. Consult your owner’s manual for the proper button sequence to push. The fuel door should pop open after pressing the remote.
If the key release is not functioning, you can still utilize the manual interior or exterior release methods previously described. The key fob release is just an added convenience feature in certain vehicle makes and models equipped with it.
Electronic Release Malfunction
In vehicles equipped with an electronic fuel door release via a button inside the car, it is possible for the release mechanism to malfunction and fail to work properly. A bad relay or fuse, electrical issue, or faulty actuator could be preventing the fuel door from responding to the button press.
In this situation, you will have to utilize the manual fuel door release procedure for your vehicle. Try the exterior release behind the fuel door first. If that does not work, check for an interior release lever or emergency release cable. Refer to your owner’s manual if you are unsure of how to manually open the fuel door in an electronic release failure.
You may also want to have your vehicle serviced soon to address the underlying electrical issue. A qualified technician can diagnose and repair the specific problem, restoring normal function to the electronic release button.
Gas Cap Release
It is important not to confuse the fuel door release with the gas cap release. The fuel door release simply opens the covering to access the filler pipe and gas cap. It does not actually release the cap itself. This is a separate mechanism.
Once you have opened the fuel door, the next step is to release the gas cap in order to refuel your vehicle. This may require twisting off a threaded cap, turning a locking mechanism counter-clockwise, or pressing down and turning a hinged locking cap.
If your gas cap is the tethered type, there may be no additional step needed to release it. Consult your owner’s manual for details on how to remove the cap once the fuel door is open. Never force or pry the gas cap.
Conclusion
Locating and operating the gas release lever properly is a crucial step when refueling your vehicle. This critical release mechanism opens the fuel door to grant access to the filler pipe. Without releasing the fuel door, you cannot refill your gas tank.
Pay attention to your particular vehicle’s gas release location. With a little practice, you will be able to quickly find and use the lever, button, or latch that opens the fuel door when it’s time to fill up. Understanding this necessary step in the refueling process helps ensure a smooth and seamless gas station visit.
