Locking gas caps

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crw

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Pocatello, ID
I live in a very safe area. Well, it has been. But in the past few weeks every home on our street has had several gallons stolen out of their vehicles that are parked outside. I have an older Ford truck with dual tanks for which I'm considering getting locking gas caps. Any thoughts? Any brand that is better than another? Hopefully I can find something that has one key for two caps.
 
i use stant and if you look in the packages look for the same key numbers,,
You can also get them from the dealer

Gas caps are disc tumblers and can be picked open easily most times
 
Sometimes if a replacement gas cap does not vent the same way the OEM one does, you may get a check engine light and Evap error code. All OBDII cars have such a self test.

An auto teacher advised me that the best way to avoid this is to get a locking gas cap from a dealer.

Of course, what really annoys me is that many foreign cars have a door in front of the gas cap that can only be unlocked by a switch in the interior of the car. Why do so few American cars use this?
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Sometimes if a replacement gas cap does not vent the same way the OEM one does, you may get a check engine light and Evap error code. All OBDII cars have such a self test.

An auto teacher advised me that the best way to avoid this is to get a locking gas cap from a dealer.

Of course, what really annoys me is that many foreign cars have a door in front of the gas cap that can only be unlocked by a switch in the interior of the car. Why do so few American cars use this?


Bean counters. But all it takes is a common screw driver to pry the door open.
 
Originally Posted By: crw
Any thoughts?

You do not need our permission to protect your self, your family, and property.

I would create a label for the gas caps that reads "diesel only" that way if they do steal again they would skip your vehicle.

Also if money is available install an outdoor surveillance-systems and you do not need to post a sign that says this place is being recorded.

I have a Q-see system with 4 cams, very affordable, and 1 cam is pointed at the front door. That way we know whose at the front door (a stranger, the deliveryman, pizza man or neighbor.) 2nd one is pointed at the drive way.

edit - a word
 
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Sign of the times unfortunately. The Stant caps are good but they only have a couple different keys for them so not too difficult to by pass but will slow someone down.

Just keep the truck in a well lit area and keep it close to the house. Most thieves look for easy hits. Don't make your truck one.

Good luck
 
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I have a little 50cc scooter that HAD a locking gas cap. It was parked outside the garage one day and someone busted the gas cap with a screw driver I suppose. This thing only holds 1.2 gallons of gas when full. There in lies my point. If someone will bust a locking cap off a scooter for 1 gallon on a good day, they'll do the same to your truck. Some security lights would probably work better.
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Sometimes if a replacement gas cap does not vent the same way the OEM one does, you may get a check engine light and Evap error code. All OBDII cars have such a self test.

An auto teacher advised me that the best way to avoid this is to get a locking gas cap from a dealer.


Yep, got a locking stant gas cap for my 98 tracker and it throws evap codes with it on.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142
If they can't get the gas cap off they will get to it by cutting the filler hose or putting a hole in the bottom of the tank.
Maybe, or just move on to the next car.
 
Originally Posted By: bvance554
I have a little 50cc scooter that HAD a locking gas cap. It was parked outside the garage one day and someone busted the gas cap with a screw driver I suppose. This thing only holds 1.2 gallons of gas when full. There in lies my point. If someone will bust a locking cap off a scooter for 1 gallon on a good day, they'll do the same to your truck. Some security lights would probably work better.

Wonder why they didn't just take the scooter.
 
Originally Posted By: TallPaul
Originally Posted By: bvance554
I have a little 50cc scooter that HAD a locking gas cap. It was parked outside the garage one day and someone busted the gas cap with a screw driver I suppose. This thing only holds 1.2 gallons of gas when full. There in lies my point. If someone will bust a locking cap off a scooter for 1 gallon on a good day, they'll do the same to your truck. Some security lights would probably work better.

Wonder why they didn't just take the scooter.


Dumb criminals I guess. Heck it was parked behind a boat with at least 20 gallons in it, and no locking gas cap.
 
Originally Posted By: bvance554

Dumb criminals I guess. Heck it was parked behind a boat with at least 20 gallons in it, and no locking gas cap.


Because boats use boat fuel and not car fuel, duh.
 
Originally Posted By: crw
I live in a very safe area. Well, it has been. But in the past few weeks every home on our street has had several gallons stolen out of their vehicles that are parked outside. I have an older Ford truck with dual tanks for which I'm considering getting locking gas caps. Any thoughts? Any brand that is better than another? Hopefully I can find something that has one key for two caps.


I bet it's just one dude. Maybe a 20-something unemployed misfit playing nintendo in his mom's basement?

I don't know how you'll catch him, but once he's caught, I expect peace to return to your neighborhood. He'll get stupid or cocky sometime.

I'm surprised that "every home" is suffering; most cars less than 25 years old have anti-siphon/ rollover valves where the hose meets the tank.

If you want to take one for the team, you could fill one tank with "something nasty" and run your truck off the other. Then lock the good stuff up.
lol.gif


By "something nasty", 90% diesel, 10% gas (to smell) might do it. Since he only steals a couple gallons at a time his car will still run on it, just knock like crazy.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142
If they can't get the gas cap off they will get to it by cutting the filler hose or putting a hole in the bottom of the tank.

X2
 
I work in NYC, and after the break down of society after hurricane sandy, and the disruption in the gas supply. Some of my coworkers caught muts stealing gas (siphoning hose) out of our rmp's (aka police cars) right in front of our station house. Believe me a locking gas cap would have stopped these scientists. Ever since the hurricane I've had locking gas caps on both my cars.
 
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