Locking gas cap???

Jaker said:
I'd rather pay for a new tank of fuel than use a locking fuel cap and have someone puncture a fuel line or the tank instead. If they plan on stealing your fuel, they will get your fuel one way or another.
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usually its a crime of opportunity though isnt it?

why puncture the fuel tank or break the fuel line of a car with a locking gas cap when you can simply stroll down the street to the next car that doesnt have a locking gas cap?

path of least resistance?
 
jca21 said:
usually its a crime of opportunity though isnt it?

why puncture the fuel tank or break the fuel line of a car with a locking gas cap when you can simply stroll down the street to the next car that doesnt have a locking gas cap?

path of least resistance?
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It's pretty easy to cut a fuel line or puncture a fuel tank in my humble opinion. Getting a hose down into a fuel tank from the fuel cap isn't always so easy.
 
Jaker said:
It's pretty easy to cut a fuel line or puncture a fuel tank in my humble opinion. Getting a hose down into a fuel tank from the fuel cap isn't always so easy.
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hopefully the tank skid protects the tank and the fuel lines are tucked away enough :thumb3:
 
I just bought a 2012 4Runner sr5 today. my dad works is a sketchy area so he was worried about the fuel being contaminated etc, etc.. i just called the dealership we bought from

TOYOTA PLACE: GARDEN GROVE, CA

asked for the locking gas cap: was given the model name and #

stant 11504. (provided by dealership) for $26. 15 on amazon.
 
my work truck, 30 gallons siphoned out one night parked at the back office door. in plain view of security camera. one week later they simply unbolted fuel tank and stole it with fuel together.fuel $120. tank 1000. having no deductible insurance helps. kinda like this one
66535266_1-Pictures-of-2004-GMC-G3500-Box-Truck.jpg
 
Yes I have to agree that Toyota was dumb not having a locking gas dood. But it is what it is and I am just going to live with it and take my chances. I am not going to carry another key just for that. Some people may not have a choice though!
 
jspagna1 said:
Yes I have to agree that Toyota was dumb not having a locking gas dood. But it is what it is and I am just going to live with it and take my chances. I am not going to carry another key just for that. Some people may not have a choice though!
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A fuel door with a cabin latch release really doesn't protect anything. All one needs to do is place a knife or screwdriver in there and apply a bit of force to pry it open.
 
jspagna1 said:
Yes I have to agree that Toyota was dumb not having a locking gas dood. But it is what it is and I am just going to live with it and take my chances. I am not going to carry another key just for that. Some people may not have a choice though!
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That is your opinion. I like simplicity. All you have to do is try to get gas at night in January with snow and ice and temps below zero - and find your gas door release cable is frozen and spend an hour trying to get gas without damaging anything. If someone wants your gas they will take it. It is a lot faster to poke a hole in the tank than siphon it and no, skid plates are no protection for gas thieves. Again, I like the simplicity. Well done Toyota.
 
Been there done that. It really doesn't bother me that the door doesn't lock. I think the hard thing with most people is that people are always going to complain when you take something away or there's less of something. You can also add no power antenna to the list.
 
1engineer said:
That is your opinion. I like simplicity. All you have to do is try to get gas at night in January with snow and ice and temps below zero - and find your gas door release cable is frozen and spend an hour trying to get gas without damaging anything. If someone wants your gas they will take it. It is a lot faster to poke a hole in the tank than siphon it and no, skid plates are no protection for gas thieves. Again, I like the simplicity. Well done Toyota.
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I`m with 1 engineer on this one. stupid lock will freeze or get dirt in key hole and stuck... you`ll need gas but you screwed.
Everything Should Be Made as Simple as Possible, But Not Simpler:Einstein
 
jspagna1 said:
Been there done that. It really doesn't bother me that the door doesn't lock. I think the hard thing with most people is that people are always going to complain when you take something away or there's less of something. You can also add no power antenna to the list.
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I love the mast no-power antenna. I also love the manual 4WD shift lever. Simplicity is wonderful. I just ordered a different gear set for my mtn bike to take it from a 27 speed to a 10 speed. Simpler. To each their own though.
 
As it turns out, the locking gas cap didn't help. Gas was siphoned again, and they left the cap on the ground next to it - no visible damage to the cap. So much for that!
 
I was pretty sure it was imposible to siphon gas out of most cars built in recent years to include 4runners. in the event of a roll over a valvle in the fuel neck should prevent gas from leaking out...it would also prevent siphoning.

After reading all this I am no longer sure.

Hope you are able to catch the thief
 
Last edited:
Evidence a locking fuel door or gas cap may help? You make the call.

I bought a 2012 4Runner last year and was mildly concerned about the lack of a locking gas cap or cover. I was reassured that "no one siphons gas today" or "thinks about putting a foreign substance in a gas tank." Tonight I visited our local gym and parked with about 20 other vehicles under lights and in plain view of a security cameras. After spending about an hour in the gym, I returned to find the fuel door open and gas cap dangling. While it appears no gas was siphoned, I have no idea if they put something in the tank, which is a plausible concern for a $40,000+ investment. The only other car in the parking lot with the same issue was a newer model Ford pick-up, also with no locking fuel door or gas cap. Any car with a locking fuel door or gas cap was untouched.

Here's some additional data on the subject. Listed below is my history of car ownership, whether it had a secured or unsecured gas cap\door, and stolen gas or compromised gas caps\doors:

No locking gas cap or door and number of times the gas cap or door was removed and\or gas stolen:
'66 Dodge Coronet - 2
'67 Cadillac Cp Deville - 1
'88 Mitsubishi Mighty Max - 2
'12 Toyota 4Runner - 1

Locking gas cap or door and number of times the gas cap or door was removed and\or gas stolen:
'76 Honda Accord - 0
'80 Honda Accord - 0
'80 Toyota Celica - 0
'96 Honda Accord - 0
'99 Honda Accord - 0
'00 Toyota Celica - 0
'01 Hyundai Santa Fe - 0
'02 Toyota 4Runner - 0
'05 Honda Odyssey - 0

Feel free to make the call, but in my experience the evidence seems to speak for itself. While some may consider it minor, the peace of mind for some owners and the sufficient deterrent for most criminals appears to warrant keeping a lockable fuel door. At a minimum, it would be nice for Toyota to offer an OEM option for a locking fuel cap. For now, I'll be looking into aftermarket options.
 
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When I had my milsurp diesel Blazer (with pimp red interior), some dumbass tried to siphon the fuel after a hurricane-induced panic had emptied all the gas stations.

Found a splattering of diesel and vomit down the side of the side of the truck one morning.
 
You can get a locking cap AND a locking lid AND you can only be gone a minute and I will take your full tank of gas and be gone without unlocking anything. Plastic gas tank is easy to poke a hole in.
 
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