Capless Fuel Fillers: What You Need to Know

Some automakers have removed the fuel cap once and for all in the name of convenience.

Ronan Glon | 

Sep 20, 2024 | 2 min read

Kara Snow | Capital One

The twist-on fuel cap could one day join the carburetor and the window crank in the pantheon of obsolete automotive features. Several carmakers offer a capless fuel-filler system that replaces the fuel cap with a latch-based mechanism designed to save time while keeping your hands clean.

Ford

The Capless Fuel Filler Explained

Ford pioneered the capless fuel filler by making the feature standard first on the 2009 Explorer SUV and its Mercury-branded twin, the Mountaineer. Before spreading to other models, the capless fuel filler appeared on the 2009 Ford F-150 pickup truck and the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKS SUVs.

The system is simple. Instead of a fuel-filler cap, which twists onto the neck to seal the tank, the capless version features a spring-loaded flap that automatically latches shut. To fill up, the driver needs to open the fuel-filler door and insert the pump nozzle. There's no gas cap to take off and put back on.

Ford

The Pros and Cons of a Capless Fuel Filler

The capless fuel filler makes filling up faster and cleaner. You won't get gasoline on your hands as you twist off the cap and put it back on. It's a boon for motorists prone to forgetting their fuel cap at the gas station or on the roof of their car. It also makes life much easier for drivers with joint issues who have difficulty twisting off the gas cap.

While a capless fuel filler is convenient, it's not perfect. Some motorists who regularly drive on dirt roads complain that dust accumulates on the filler and drops into the tank as soon as they insert the pump nozzle. Several drivers have reported that the filler freezes in very cold and humid climates, making siphoning gas more difficult.

With a capless filler, you might need to use a funnel to pour the contents of a fuel can into your car. Some vehicles, including several Ford models, come with a funnel.

Kara Snow

The Cars That Come With Capless Fuel Fillers

There are several makes and models that have done away with the gas cap. Ford calls its capless fuel-filler system Easy Fuel. It's standard on several 2024 models, including the sporty Mustang and the Explorer and Expedition SUVs.

General Motors brands use this technology as well. The Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Blazer SUVs as well as the Malibu sedan and the GMC Sierra pickup truck are among the models offered with it.

The list of new cars available with a capless fuel filler also includes the Honda Passport SUV.

Ronan Glon

Ronan Glon is an American journalist and automotive historian based in France. He enjoys working on old cars and spending time outdoors seeking out his next project car.