
The fuel tank release button on the Tiguan is located at the rear of the vehicle. The specific opening methods are: 1. There is a circular button at the rear of the car - press it firmly downward with your thumb; 2. There is a fuel pump symbol button on the driver's side door panel - flipping this will also pop open the fuel filler cap. The Tiguan is a vehicle produced by Shanghai Volkswagen, with body dimensions of 4506mm (length) × 1809mm (width) × 1685mm (height). In terms of power, the Tiguan is equipped with a 1.8T inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering maximum power of 118KW and maximum torque of 250NM.

When I first got my Tiguan, I also spent quite some time looking for the fuel tank button! The design of this car is quite unique—the fuel tank switch isn’t near the steering wheel or on the center console, but on the floor by the driver’s seat, at the lower left corner. If you look down near your left foot, between the door and the seat, there’s a small lever with a fuel pump icon. It might feel awkward at first, but once you get used to it, it’s super convenient—just a quick hook with your left foot when parked, and it opens. Many Volkswagen models share this design, including the new Teramont. I’d recommend new owners take a moment to familiarize themselves with the location in an empty space before heading to the gas station to avoid any fumbling. Also, make sure floor mats don’t cover this lever—once, I had full-coverage mats and almost couldn’t find it!

The fuel tank switch location on the Tiguan is quite unconventional. Instead of being near the instrument panel, it's positioned on the left side of the driver's footwell. When seated, look down about 10cm below where the left door panel meets the center console - you'll find a plastic lever with a gas station symbol. This placement might feel awkward at first, but Volkswagen designed it this way to prevent accidental activation. Remember to pull it upward, not push downward - I once struggled at the gas station trying to press it with no response. The location remains largely the same between older and newer models, though the Passat's switch on the left side of the steering wheel is more convenient. No need to turn off the engine when refueling - just shift to P, engage the electronic parking brake, then flip the switch. The fuel filler door will pop open with an audible click.

I can definitely speak to finding the fuel tank button in the Tiguan. Last time I helped a neighbor move their car, I struggled at the gas station for quite a while. It's located on the floor outside the driver's left leg, and you can feel the pull ring with a wavy arrow by reaching toward the door frame. Volkswagen calls this a mechanical release mechanism, which is much more reliable than electronic buttons. The position is a bit low, but the advantage is that it doesn't take up space on the center console. For someone like me who likes to stuff things in the door panel storage, there's no worry about accidentally pressing it. Just note that the pull ring requires some force, so ladies might want to wear flat shoes when operating it. If you can't find it, turn on the hazard lights, get out of the car, and press the right side of the fuel tank cover—there's an emergency release hole there.


