Do you really need a locking gas cap

The gas cap on my 2008 that I bought in January opens when it gets windy. The guy who filled it tonight in Jersey (full serve only by law) had trouble with it. So I'm looking to replace it.

Like a good Noob I checked the Search. There's a chrome locking cap I can buy for about 110 with directions here on the board. Or, I can get the OEM assembly for like 70 and a door for like 40 at a dealer near me. Maybe I can reuse the door I have and just need a new assembly, I'll figure that out in the daylight tomorrow.

I'm leaning toward getting OEM for the simple fact that I don't want to deal with a key.

That got me thinking, has anyone actually even gotten gas stolen from their vehicle? In 25 years of driving, and parking in plenty of bad neighborhoods no one ever even tried to steal gas out of my tank (people have tried to steal my cars however). In particular, people who go to campgrounds and/or park at trailheads, has this been an issue?

 

I've never had any gas stolen from any vehicle in my entire driving life.

I park downtown, inner city, campgrounds, vacation, never had an issue.

 

This is the first vehicle I've had that doesn't have a locking cap but I really can't see it being an issue.

 

Never had it happen to me, maybe the art of siphoning without getting a mouth full of gas has been lost to this generation of would be thieves. Also, if you decide to get rid of it I would go with the OEM cap as some here have complained about getting a check engine light with some of the aftermarket ones. Good luck.

 

You can't siphon gas from tanks these days. The have an elbow in them.

 

The way gas prices are going up maybe just go without a lock. I would rather have pos thieves siphon my tank than drilling a hole in the tank.

 

It's a bit of a nuisance using a key but I have that piece of mind when I park anywhere remotely sketchy. At home, no, it's never happened.

A kill switch and cat covers would also be useful, which I don't have.

 

I think what most gasoline thieves do these days is just take a hole saw to the tank and let it dump into a five gallon pail letting the remainder pour on the ground. Much quicker that way...

 

There's also jokers who might pour stuff in too, or maybe a crazy ex.

 

All tanks, are you sure?

 

Most vehicles have an anti-rollover / anti-siphon valve. Thieves would just drill into the tank.

 

Knew about the rollover valve, didn't know it would prevent siphoning. You learn something new everyday.

 

My 2001 came with the locking door from the factory. I just added one to my 2010, admittedly purely for aesthetics. I’ve never had gas stolen, and agree that siphoning is probably a bit of an anachronism at this point. I do, however, know of lots of people who’ve incurred big repair bills from having something foreign dumped in the tank. That danger is still real, especially if you run around with crazy.

 

All Sales 6070KL Race Style Billet Fuel Door 7'' Ring O.D. 5 1/8'' Door O.D.-Flat Black Ring and Locking Door, 1 Pack
Brand: All Sales

Price: $95.00

• Fits Toyota 2007-2017 Tundra
• Flat Black Powder Coat Finish
• We manufacture quality products that are tested to meet the rigorous demands of vehicle exteriors/interiors while delivering the supreme styling demands of automotive enthusiasts.
• 7'' Ring Outside Diameter 5 1/8'' Door Outside Diameter
• Fit type: Vehicle Specific

I’ve never been much concerned about potential siphoners, but I got one of these several years ago when we had a rash of idiots randomly pouring sugar in gas tanks in the middle of the night. This activity went on for about 6 months. It was just a random thing but the folks who were hit were extremely inconvenienced and got a very expensive bill. This device goes on easy, fits well, and is easy to use—make sure you carry an extra key in the center console or glove box. It is yet another deterrent to the a-holes who want to f around with your tundra. Shame we have to spend so much time, money, and energy foiling these people but such is modern life.

 

That is the one I got as well. Masked it off and shot some Herculiner on the bolt heads and keyway to black it out. Install was pretty straightforward.

 

I’ve never needed one. *knocks on wood*

 

Stolen gas is a minor irritation. Fatal engine damage from someone adding stuff to your gas is entirely different. Especially if you have a feud with someone in a shared parking area... Or other personal drama in your life...

 

I bought a used factory cap in the right color off ebay to replace the broken locking one I had.

 

That's why I bought my Stant cap. It was just under $10 from Walmart.

 

That looks really nice

 

Thanks! I was a little on the fence about it, but was pleased with how it came out.