Filling Up a Ford With No Gas Cap

Ford is rolling out its new 2009 lineup, and most models are getting a gas-cap-less tank. Ford calls this “EasyFuel,” not to be confused with "FlexFuel," which means the car can run on E85. In fact, when I went to fill up a 2009 Ford Escape with the EasyFuel system, I saw Ford’s warning that E85 would not flow easily into the tank.

When I first heard about this idea, I thought, “Are people so lazy that they’ll want to skip screwing a gas cap on and off?” but then I also remembered that while I’ve never run out of gas, I have forgotten a gas cap on top of a pump more than once. My wife also pointed out how annoying it was to remember if you clicked your cap closed properly. Was I supposed to wait for one click or three?

The actual process of taking the pump in and out and placing it back on its hook with no other step seemed a bit wrong, though. Like I was forgetting something. I wonder how long that lasts if you own one?

Comments

Gas thiefs are invited

Tony brings up a good point...can gas be cyphered out of this cap-less tank?

Also, the comment about E85, what did you do? pump slowly?

I copied this from a press release on the ford website.

"Easy Fuel also has a patented mis-fueling inhibitor to reduce improper fueling and siphoning.
The inhibitor consists of a fuel nozzle detector that guides the nozzle to the opening. If a nozzle or foreign tube of a different size – a diesel nozzle or plastic hose, for example – is placed in the filler neck of a gasoline-powered vehicle, the latches will not release. For a diesel-powered vehicle, the inhibitor will keep out the smaller gasoline nozzles.

To protect the fuel filler neck from dirt, dust and debris, Easy Fuel relies on a flexible rubber seal in the body housing. The system also comes with a handy plastic funnel, which is stored with a vehicle’s tire changing kit, in case someone runs out of fuel and needs to add a gallon or two from a portable container.

“Because fuel cans are not standardized in terms of their nozzle, we needed to make sure customers could easily get fuel into the system if they ran out,” said Aitken. The funnel is the same diameter as an unleaded fuel pump nozzle for a gasoline-powered vehicle."

Broq

I just copied this from a ford press release.

"Easy Fuel also has a patented mis-fueling inhibitor to reduce improper fueling and siphoning.
The inhibitor consists of a fuel nozzle detector that guides the nozzle to the opening. If a nozzle or foreign tube of a different size – a diesel nozzle or plastic hose, for example – is placed in the filler neck of a gasoline-powered vehicle, the latches will not release. For a diesel-powered vehicle, the inhibitor will keep out the smaller gasoline nozzles."

Broq

Sorry for the double post- it didn't show up after the first post- I thought it was too long and shortened it, lol.

Broq

Broq,
Thanks I must have missed the first comment this a.m. Appreciate the help!

"I wonder how long that lasts if you own one?"

It's probably like GM's "auto crank" (not sure what it's called, it's the system where you can nudge the key to the "start" position and let go, and the car will automatically crank until it turns over)... You get in another car and expect it to operate the same way!

It's not that new a concept. After-market "permanent" gas caps have been in existence forever.

http://www.kleenwheels.com/about_permacap.htm

Broq has it spot on. I called the dealership when I gassed up my Ford Fusion rental and found there was no gas cap. I was so confused! Broq's explanation is almost word for word what the dealer explained to me. I'm still very wary of this, though. Not sure I trust it. I will say I did try to push open the flap where the nozzle goes, and it flat would not budge, until I actually used the gas nozzle. Still on the fence as to whether or not I will acquire a Ford vehicle in the future.

ok seriously most people don't waste there time with siphoning. Punching a whole in the gas tank is much easier and faster. Just like if someone wants something from inside your car, breaking a window is quicker & easier than using a slim jim. Oh and I dont mean the kind you eat! Wake up people

now i know cut a nozzle off from the gas station when i have to relieve oneself find a new ford .

Great! So anyone who gets a hold of one of these funnels has access to your fuel system!

Author misses the point - these are used to reduce gasoline vapors by minimizing atmospheric exposure with its sealing system vs open cap (how many of us open the cap, then swipe our cards and when done, put the pump away first, get a receipt, then recap?). One car refueling, it is insignificantly a factor but hundreds of millions of cars refueling every day? That adds up. We're on the right path.

The several folks blathering about siphoning are also missing the point - what makes you think a gas cap deters fuel thieves? This system is actually more resistant to siphoning than a system with a cap.

so i just ran out of gas in my driveway.... my gas can is not wide enough to open tabs on side....so i went to store to buy a tapered funnel.... well that was wrong....the funnel its the plate before the width gets wide enough to open tabs.... so i found this blog.....i guess i need to go back out and by a special, just for one car... gas can that will refuel MY 2012 ford eascape....horrible design.... why are we going backwards.... porobably desgined by a solyndra engineer....

The really bad design is this also;the latch on some cars is not locked! A 'bad' person can
open the cover and put water,or other not gas and wreck your car!

Are people really comparing this system with a gas cap you can simply remove by turning counter clock wise?

If you are comparing this method to a locking gas cap, Ford sells locking caps that fit on this system as well.

The special funnel is included with the vehicle. On my Focus it is with the spare tire, under the trunk carpet.

As for getting used to it, every vehicle I drive has a different ritual. Tank on right or left. Button or lever to open door? If so, where?

I have found that with this system my hands tend to smell like gas less since I don't have to touch a cap or put my hands near where gas may have spilled.

Yeah like having a Ga Cap on your car is going to stop gas thieves?????

If they want it they will just unscrew the cap and take your gas!!!

It is not a matter of the cap. It is that the cover can be opened from the outside without a key or a lever from inside the vehicle. The new design is just dumb and invites thieves.

Having bought a new 2011 Mustang, I can say that this new gas "cap" system is awesome. Vinn, you obviously didnt care to even read your owners manual, which would state that to use a gas can and not a pump, you need to stick in an adapter that comes with your car. To the other people who have their doubts, I have gone back there to mess with the device, and it will not open with fingers or a tube; there is a metal plate that gets in the way.

2012 ford fusin with an easy fuel gas tank. I just filled up for the second time and the gas pump nozel got stuck in my tank. The easy fuel flap stuck to the edge of the nozel and it had to be pried off. Now I have to go to the dealership because I have a piece of gas Nozel floating in my gas tank. Major defect and no one has ever heard of this.

I just had the same problem as Laurie did. I put the gas nozzle in the easy fuel opening and filled my tank. Then could not get the nozzle out. Took 45 minutes and 3 men to finally pull it out. Took the tip piece off of the pump nozzle so now I have to go to the dealer to get it extracted from the tank. What a stupid design! The edges should be rounded to not lock onto nozzles which are not perfectly smooth.

I gassed up my new 2013 Ford Escape SE two nights ago and could not remove the nozzle. Two other guys tried to help. The attendant used a scissors to get the nozzle out. Now I have to go to the dealership to have the nozzle checked for possible damage. And according to one website that problem is not under warranty. I have used this gas station before, so I have no idea why this issue came up after owning this car for months. This car model has already had 5 recalls - I am disillusioned.

Had the same problem this weekend as Laurie, Donna, and Jerry. Several people including Firemen could not get the nozzle out of the tank. Very frustrating! They disconnected the hose from the nozzle so I still had the nozzle in my tank when I went in for service. First thing they say it's not under warranty. According to service I may have some emissions problems where the check engine light may come on. To replace this part was over $400! How can it not be a Ford problem?. Very poor design!