
When the vehicle is unlocked, simply press the fuel tank cap with your hand to open it, requiring no additional operations from the owner. For vehicles with this type of fuel tank cap opening mechanism, owners must ensure to lock the car when parked.

The location to open the fuel tank cap is actually quite simple, usually operated near the driver's seat. When I observe people refueling at gas stations, most cars have a little trick: just reach your left hand to the left side of the driver's door, near the seat side or bottom, and you'll typically find a lever with a fuel tank symbol. A gentle pull will trigger a 'click' sound near the rear wheels, unlocking the cap. However, my American pickup truck is even more straightforward—the fuel cap itself is a spring-loaded button that pops open when pressed with the key. A quick reminder: when refueling, let the small strap on the cap hang naturally; keeping it hooked for too long may cause it to snap. If your car is too new and you can't find the lever, check the small storage compartment below the steering wheel—some new energy vehicles like to hide the fuel tank button there.

Yesterday, my neighbor Sister Wang asked me about this issue—she just bought a car but keeps struggling to find the fuel tank release. Actually, most cars today have two common methods: after driving for a decade and handling hundreds of cars, I’ve found the most common is a lever near the driver’s footwell marked with a fuel pump icon—just pull it. The other, more advanced method involves locating a button on the center console, often placed next to the trunk release. Last week, while helping my younger brother refuel his Audi A3, I discovered a new trick—simply pressing the right edge of the fuel filler flap, and it pops open automatically. Oh, and here’s a small but crucial tip: I often see people at gas stations twisting the fuel cap the wrong way. Those plastic threads are actually quite fragile. Just remember to tighten it clockwise until you hear three ‘clicks’—no need to overdo it.

Lessons learned from driving my brother's Tesla: There are now many ways to operate the fuel filler door. For keyless entry vehicles, simply press the right side of the fuel filler door while the car is locked to pop it open. Traditional models generally rely on one of three methods - a mechanical lever near the driver's left leg, an electronic button below the steering wheel, or finding the 'Vehicle Settings' option in the central control screen. Last week at the repair shop, I saw an interesting case: a car owner couldn't open their fuel filler door no matter what, only to discover it had frozen during car washing. The solution was super simple - just use a hair dryer for thirty seconds. Now some luxury cars are even smarter - after parking and turning off the engine, simply approach the fuel filler door with the key and give it two light taps to open automatically. Technology is truly changing our lives.

My nephew who just got his driver's license also asked this question. Currently, there are three mainstream operation methods: the easiest to find is the lever with a fuel icon under the driver's seat; the button near the left side of the steering wheel in the central control area is the second type; high-end models hide the switch in the vehicle control page of the touch screen. Last time when I drove my friend's Porsche, I discovered a hidden trick: press the unlock button on the key twice in a row and then hold the third press, and the fuel tank cover pops open by itself. Note that problems are prone to occur in winter. During last year's cold wave, my car's fuel tank cover was frozen shut, and it took five minutes of pouring warm water to open it. Later, I learned to apply some Vaseline on the rubber ring in advance.


