Where is the fuel tank cap switch on the old Jetta?

[HoldenDella]

The old Jetta does not have a fuel tank cap switch; it is opened with a key. The steps to open the fuel tank cap with the key are: 1. First, pry open the outer metal cover (simply pull it open by hand); 2. There is a keyhole on the inner fuel tank cap (black); 3. Insert the car key; 4. Turn it counterclockwise (to the left), then rotate the fuel tank cap counterclockwise to open it. The dimensions of the old Jetta are 4415mm in length, 1674mm in width, and 1415mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2471mm. It is a 4-door, 5-seater sedan with a 5-speed manual transmission and a top speed of 175 km/h.

[DelAngela]

I've got experience with old Jettas! If you're driving the square-headlight Jetta (the 90s model), its fuel cap doesn't have an interior release at all. When locked, you need to use the key directly in the fuel cap's keyhole to unlock it – just press with your hand after unlocking and it pops open. For the round-headlight Jetta (around 2000 model), the release is hidden near the driver's left foot. You'll need to bend down and carefully feel under the far left side of the dashboard for a small lever with a gas pump icon – pull it outward to open the cap. This design seems quite hidden by today's standards, and new drivers might search for ages. If the fuel cap won't pop open, the release cable might be stuck, and you'll need to check the cable mechanism on the left side of the trunk.

[VonChristian]

Friends who have driven the old Jetta know that the fuel tank cap switch locations vary significantly across different model years. The most common square-head version relies solely on the key to unlock the fuel cap, with no in-car switch at all. The round-headlight model places its fuel cap switch on the left side of the driver's floorboard—you'll need to reach above the clutch pedal's left side to feel for the plastic tab marked with a fuel pump icon. A firm pull will produce a click. Special attention is needed as this cable mechanism is prone to rust; if pulling the switch yields no response, the cable may be rusted stuck or broken, requiring trim panel removal for inspection. Additionally, aged plastic components on older cars often become brittle, making handle breakage a frequent issue.

[VanJulia]

As a veteran mechanic with over a decade of experience working on Volkswagens, the most common issue I encounter is owners unable to locate the fuel filler cap release on older Jetta models. The boxy classic version actually had the keyhole integrated into the fuel cap itself - requiring the key to open it directly. Later facelifted models relocated the release lever to a notoriously awkward position near the driver's left footrest. To access it, you need to reach below the steering column and feel along the floorboard. Novices often mistake this for the hood release. If pulling it yields no result, first check whether the external fuel cap is locked - the internal cable mechanism only engages after unlocking the cylinder with your key. This linkage system is particularly prone to malfunctions.