Which Way Should the Fuel Tank Cap Be Turned?
2 Answers
In most cases, the fuel tank cap of a car needs to be turned to the left to open and to the right to close. More related knowledge about fuel tanks is as follows: 1. The fuel tank cap refers to the box on the car used for storing gasoline. It is square in shape, made of stainless steel, and has excellent sealing. There is only a small circular opening, about the size of a bottle cap, for easy storage. It is usually located at the rear of the vehicle. 2. Generally, the trunk is separated from the cabin by the rear seats. Therefore, by removing the rear seats, you can access the trunk from the cabin. Once inside the trunk, you can open the lock by using a screwdriver to pry or rotate the movable parts on the lock. 3. If the fuel tank cap cannot be opened, you can start from the trunk. First, remove the trunk liner covering the fuel tank, which is usually secured by plastic clips and can be easily pried open with a screwdriver. After removing the liner, you can see the locking mechanism of the fuel tank cap and the cable used for remote operation. Pulling the cable will open the fuel tank cap. If this doesn't work, you can press the movable part of the locking mechanism while continuously pulling the cable, and the fuel tank cap will open easily. Some car models have a dedicated switch on the locking mechanism; pressing this switch will open the fuel tank cap.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I'd say the direction to turn the fuel cap is actually quite simple. Most vehicles require turning left (counterclockwise) to loosen/open the cap and right (clockwise) to tighten/close it. This follows standard thread design principles, just like screws, to prevent accidental loosening while driving. I remember once when I was in a hurry during refueling, I turned it the wrong way and nearly damaged the cap while also spilling some gasoline - an extremely dangerous situation. Since then, I've developed the habit of checking before operating: first park and turn off the engine, then gently turn counterclockwise to open. After refueling, turn clockwise until you hear the click confirming it's properly tightened. This small detail matters greatly - incorrect operation could lead to fuel leaks or even fire hazards, especially important to keep dry and clean during rainy days. During routine maintenance, also check if the cap's sealing ring is cracked for better leak prevention.
