No locked gas cap?!

Satter

Satter

New member
I recently had the opportunity to run around in a 2020 T4R SR5 for a few days while my 3rd gen T4R LTD was getting maintenance. I was impressed with the bigger cab and ride. But I was literally shocked to find out the gas cap door or gas cap didn’t lock.

I went to fill it up before I returned it. I was looking all over the the fuel door button. Couldn’t find it. I started freaking out. Then I noticed an outward notch in the fuel door. I opened it thinking there must be a keyhole on the fuel cap. Nope!

WTF Toyota?!!

Back in 1986 a friend in highschool had a little Toyota truck. It had a keyhole on the fuel door. My father’s 1984 Mercedes’ fuel door locked when you locked the doors. It’s now 2020. Is Toyota reverting back?

IMO, this is pretty serious. I wouldn’t be worried about someone syphoning gas. Or pouring sugar down my gas tank. But keeping it locked adds a sense of security we’ve had for decades.

Does other 4Runner trims offer a locked fuel door/gas cap as standard? Does Toyota sales gas caps that lock?
 
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Toyota owners will complain about anything :lmao:

There are 100s of locking fuel caps on the market if you would like one.

Unfortunately there is not one with a TRD logo for an extra 5 horsepower.
 
The only locking gas cap i have ever had was on a 69 Chevy C10. My 84 Chevy Suburban, 94 Nissan Pathfinder, 2000 Ford F150, 2004 Ford F150, 2015 GMC Sierra didnt have locking gas caps or doors, never had any problems.
 
peekaboo said:
Toyota owners will complain about anything :lmao:

There are 100s of locking fuel caps on the market if you would like one.

Unfortunately there is not one with a TRD logo for an extra 5 horsepower.
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True ! Unfortunately none of the damn things work though. Well they fit and lock of course but within a short period will throw error codes and you'll find all of the electronics disabled for pete's sake. Not sure what the hell Toyota feels that has to do with fuel pressure but none the less, the only thing that works is the stock cap and I've tried a few.

Why? Only use the one I have when parking the vehicle on route to the cottage (at a Marina) so it is sitting there for a few days / week. Have to, cause jackasses have been known to steal fuel from vehicles on occasion so its practical to avoid a dirty hose attempt. But dollars to donuts when it sits there for a few days with that cap on (which locks tight) it still loses fuel pressure. Putting the stock cap back on before driving off makes no difference it still throws all the error codes immediately. I have to stop eventually on the way back for gas so I tank up, crank the stock cap again, clear the OBDII codes and then all is well again. Minor inconvenience but it is what it is.

6th Gen will have it sorted no doubt LoL :evil:
 
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Pretty damn well near impossible to siphon gas from a modern car, easier to drill the tank.

I've had problems with malfunctioning gas doors more than anyone ****ing with my fuel tank.

People putting shit in your gas tank is pretty much an urban legend, even an angry ex is more likely to key it and slash the tires.

Carmakers realize this.
 
LandCruiser said:
Pretty damn well near impossible to siphon gas from a modern car,
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I’m not sure which “modern” car you’re referring to. But It’s actually pretty easy. We had to siphon fuel from my uncle’s 2018 F-150 after a hunting trip last year. Used a 1/2 inch diameter hose and hand pump. Easy peasy. The only hard part was, you guessed it, unlock his truck to gain access to the fuel cap. ;)
 
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Satter said:
I’m not sure which “modern” car you’re referring to. But It’s actually pretty easy. We had to siphon fuel from my uncle’s 2018 F-150 after a hunting trip last year. Used a 1/2 inch diameter hose and hand pump. Easy peasy. The only hard part was, you guessed it, uncle his truck to gain access to the fuel cap. ;)
Click to expand...


How did you defeat the emergency valve?
 
17KT4R said:
True ! Unfortunately none of the damn things work though. Well they fit and lock of course but within a short period will throw error codes and you'll find all of the electronics disabled for pete's sake. Not sure what the hell Toyota feels that has to do with fuel pressure but none the less, the only thing that works is the stock cap and I've tried a few.

Why? Only use the one I have when parking the vehicle on route to the cottage (at a Marina) so it is sitting there for a few days / week. Have to, cause jackasses have been known to steal fuel from vehicles on occasion so its practical to avoid a dirty hose attempt. But dollars to donuts when it sits there for a few days with that cap on (which locks tight) it still loses fuel pressure. Putting the stock cap back on before driving off makes no difference it still throws all the error codes immediately. I have to stop eventually on the way back for gas so I tank up, crank the stock cap again, clear the OBDII codes and then all is well again. Minor inconvenience but it is what it is.

6th Gen will have it sorted no doubt LoL :evil:
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The thing I am most looking forward to about the 6th gen 4Runners is that the mods for my 5th gen 4Runner will become cheaper.
 
My last car was a 2016 Subaru Outback. Loved the car. A few times water would freeze around the door making the pop out mechanism inoperable. Would have to dig out a plastic card or credit card to break up the ice a little. Was annoying for me but more than frustrating for some. I don't mind the lack of lock.
 
I've owned seven cars over the past 32 years, none of them had a locking gas cap, and no one has ever messed with my gas tank.

(For many of those years, I had no garage and parked on the street in all kinds of neighborhoods.)
 
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I think it's pretty chintzy on Toyota's part not to have a servo locking door on a $30K+ vehicle especially ones that can exceed $50K. I also think it's cheap that most 4runners don't have dual zone/auto climate control and none have one touch turn signals (i.e., where they flash three times) with a single quick touch. Even fairly basic Corolla's come with these two features.

Toyota has certainly taken the cheap route with the 4runner (and most of it's vehicles) while increasing MSRP over the years to maximize profits. They're great trucks but they are lacking some features that should be standard, especially given their price.
 
Charles Bronson said:
Toyota has certainly taken the cheap route with the 4runner (and most of it's vehicles) while increasing MSRP over the years to maximize profits. They're great trucks but they are lacking some features that should be standard, especially given their price.
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I had a '97 SR5 I bought new, which had an MSRP of approx. 34k. A 2021 SR5 has a starting MSRP of 36,340. A significant reduction in cost when adjusted for inflation.

34k in 1997 would be equivalent to approx. 54k today.


Back to the original OP, one benefit of the gas door on the 5th gen is the release mechanism can't freeze (because there isn't one), and prevent you from putting gas in the vehicle.
 
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Feel free to buy a locking cap if you are in constant fear of someone stealing your fuel.

They are about $5.
 
While I don't share the concern entirely, I do understand it. On my RX330 from 2004 there is a interior push button to release the fuel cover. I guess that offers more security but nothing someone who is motivated cannot pry open. Honestly, I would try and not worry about it or simply by an aftermarket locking one if it helps.
MB
 
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Having owned 2 4th gens, I definitely was surprised that my 40K 5th gen did not have a locking gas door. However for about 10-12 bucks I grabbed a locking gas cap on Amazon and had piece of mind for the 2 years I was parking outside in the driveway. The only issue is making sure you have that key handy when filling up, but it's an easy fix.
 
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