How to Open the Fuel Tank Cap on the New Buick Excelle?

[VanMatteo]

Method to open the fuel tank cap on the new Buick Excelle: Approach the area around the fuel tank cap and gently press it; the cap will then open. The fuel tank cap is located on the passenger side. Differences between the new and old Buick Excelle fuel tank cap switches: 1. There is a significant difference between the fuel tank cap switches of the new and old Excelle models—one is a mechanical lock, and the other is an electromagnetic lock, with different opening methods. 2. The fuel tank cap switch for the old model is located between the A and B pillars in the driver's compartment, near the pedals. Locate the fuel tank cap switch and press it to open the cap. 3. The new model features an electrically controlled button or cable-operated lever, usually positioned on either side of the driver's seat, marked with a fuel pump icon. Simply press or pull it, and the fuel tank door will open automatically. The inner cap can only be seen after opening the outer cap; it is made of rubber and is tightened by turning it to the right and loosened by turning it to the left.

[JaylaDella]

I've been driving a Buick Excelle for three years, and opening the fuel tank cap is quite straightforward. Usually, I just reach down to the lower left side of the driver's seat, where there's a round button with a fuel pump icon. Pressing it, I hear the sound of the fuel tank cap popping open. However, last week when refueling, the button didn't respond. It turned out that the car was completely powered off after shutting down, and it worked again after restoring power. In case the button fails, don't panic. There's a mechanical key in the trunk. Walk around the car to the fuel tank cap position, insert the key into the lock hole below the cap, and turn it two circles to the right to open it manually. Remember to turn off the engine and air conditioning when refueling, and also check if the fuel tank cap's sealing ring has any aging cracks. If it's broken, gasoline fumes can easily evaporate.

[OMatthew]

Last time I accompanied my younger brother to pick up the new Excelle, the salesperson specifically demonstrated the fuel tank cap switch. For the high-end model, there's a backlit button at the lower left corner of the dashboard—it might not be obvious during the day, but just press down where you feel the wavy texture with your finger. The salesperson mentioned that the base model doesn't have an electric switch; you need to use the key to poke open the small hole next to the fuel filler. He particularly reminded us to confirm the car is in P (Park) before refueling, as once a customer pressed the button while in D (Drive) and burned out the fuel cap motor. It's recommended to clear any snow or mud off the fuel cap before opening it each time, otherwise, it might get stuck and fail to pop open, leading to costly repairs.

[DelRichard]

Yesterday, while refueling my friend's new Excelle, I spent a long time searching for the fuel tank cap switch. Eventually, I found it hidden under the driver's side door seam—a fuel droplet symbol button placed alongside the hood release lever. You need to press it firmly all the way down until you hear a click to successfully open it. My friend told me that the button is particularly stiff during the first few months of a new car, so now he presses the switch open before getting out to avoid awkward moments by the fuel pump. If you press the switch open multiple times in succession, the system may interpret it as accidental activation and automatically lock, requiring a five-minute wait before you can operate it again.

[McGabriella]

When teaching my wife how to open the fuel tank cap of the Excelle, I specifically recorded a video: Move your left foot three finger-widths toward the door side, and the coin-sized raised button on the plastic panel is the switch. However, be careful not to press it immediately after washing the car, as the electronic contacts may malfunction when wet. Once, I pressed it three times with no response, but it worked fine after wiping the water off. The mechanical opening is even simpler—there's a keyhole symbol on the fuel tank cap. When turning the key counterclockwise, use your fingertip to press against the cap, or the spring might fling the key away. A gas station attendant suggested spraying some rust remover into the lock cylinder every quarter, as it can freeze and cause trouble during northern winters.

[VanIsabelle]

Last time I helped my neighbor fix the issue of the fuel tank cap not opening on their Excelle, it turned out the button switch failure was mostly due to a blown fuse. Found the No. 17 blue 15A fuse in the fuse box under the steering wheel, took it out and saw it was melted. Bought a new one for five bucks at the auto parts store and replaced it. If the fuel tank cap hasn't been opened for a long time, the rubber seal might stick. Don't force it open in this case—just start the car and drive a couple of kilometers to warm up the fuel line, and it will loosen naturally. A gas station attendant taught me a trick: after installing the fuel tank cap, you must hear three clicks to ensure it's locked tight, otherwise the engine warning light on the dashboard will come on.