Gas-Saving Moment of the Day: Beware Gas Thieves

We've written before about the rash of gas theft across the country, and you should definitely be aware of it because methods have become more brazen. Rather than siphoning gas, some criminals are drilling directly into tanks and making off with the fuel.

SUVs make for attractive targets because of their enormous tanks. Thieves prefer plastic tanks to metal because the friction of a drill could spark a fire. Avoid parking your car in secluded locations or leaving it for too long in any one area. A locking gas cap might also be a good idea, but that will only prevent siphoning, not drilling.

The worst part is that once the thieves have made off with your $4 per gallon fuel, you will have to buy a new gas tank. This will run you between $300 and $400 for a metal tank and $500 for a plastic one.

There’s no way to guarantee the safety of your precious gas, but being aware of the practice and remaining vigilant is certainly a start.

Thieves Drill for Gas in Car Tanks (Associated Press)

Related:
More Gas-Saving Moments of the Day (KickingTires)

Comments

I read that the emissions equipment (preventing fuel vapor evaporation) in modern cars generally prevents siphoning of gas tanks.

Is this a myth?

I don't know about myth, but when I worked for a Car Transporting company, we tried once to get some gas from a car with a full tank to put in a car that had run dry.

Either I'm completely incompetent (not impossible) or it was really difficult to do.

I could see where it would be much easier to just punch a hole in the tank with a small drill.