How to Open a Gas Tank

Co-authored by Ed Beery and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: November 2, 2022 References

Whether you’re borrowing a friend’s car or you just got a new car, opening up the gas tank door can take some getting used to. While different cars sometimes have different mechanisms, there are a few main ways to open up a gas tank door in any car. In this article, we’ll walk you through opening up your gas tank door as well as fixing a stuck gas tank door so you can fill up your car and hit the road again.

Things You Should Know

Check for a fuel tank lever or button near the driver’s side door.
Push the gas tank door inward if there is no button or lever.
If the gas tank door is stuck shut, engage the manual release lever through the trunk.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Ways to Open a Fuel Door

1
Turn off the car and unlock the doors. In most cars, the gas tank door won’t open unless the car is turned off and the doors are unlocked. Put the car in park, then turn it off and make sure that all of the doors are unlocked (some cars will do this automatically when put into park).^{[1]
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2
Check for a fuel release lever near the bottom of the driver’s seat. Many cars have a fuel release lever that you have to engage in order to unlock the gas tank door. If your car has one, it will be near the bottom of the driver’s seat, close to the driver’s side door. Look for a small lever with a gas pump on it, then pull the lever up to engage it.^{[2]
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- You’ll hear a small “thunk” as you pull the lever—that means the gas tank door is unlocked.
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3
Look for a fuel release button on the driver’s side door. Newer cars may have a fuel release button rather than a lever. Check the lower part of the driver’s side door for a button with an image of a gas pump on it. When you find it, press the button to unlock the gas tank door.^{[3]
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- The button may also have a small lock and unlock symbol on it.
4
Press on the gas tank door to unlock it if there is no button or lever. If you’re searching for an unlock button or lever and can’t find one, there’s a chance that your car doesn’t have one. Step out of the car and then press the gas tank door inwards. If it unlocks this way, it will spring open automatically after you push it in.^{[4]
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5
Turn the fuel cap counterclockwise to open it. Once your gas tank door is open, turn the fuel cap counterclockwise, then start pumping your gas.^{[5]
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- Your car may have a locking gas cap on it. If it does, simply take the key and insert it into the gas cap, then twist it counterclockwise to unlock it.
- If you live in a state where you don’t have to pump your own gas, don’t worry about unscrewing the gas cap—the attendant will do that for you.
6
Shut the gas tank door before driving away. Once you’ve pumped your gas, screw the gas cap back on and then press the gas tank door shut. You’ll hear a small “click” once the locking mechanism on the gas tank door has engaged.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Opening a Stuck Gas Tank Door

1
Open the trunk and move the access panel near the fuel tank. If your gas tank door is stuck shut, there’s most likely a problem with the release lever inside of the car. You can access this lever by opening your trunk and removing the plastic access panel that’s closest to the fuel tank.^{[7]
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- If your car does not have an access panel, simply remove the cloth lining near the inside of the fuel tank.
- If you’re driving a vehicle without a trunk (like a truck), accessing the mechanism behind your gas tank may be difficult. Take your car to a licensed mechanic so they can access the mechanism for you.
2
Slide your hand behind the gas tank inside your car. Use a flashlight to look into the access panel behind the gas tank. You’ll see a small box mechanism with a lever on it—that’s the locking mechanism for your gas tank door.^{[8]
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3
Press the manual release lever with your hand. Reach inside the access panel until you touch a small box with a lever on the side. Press the lever downward to unlock the fuel tank door manually (you’ll hear a small click as you do this). Your gas tank door will be open, and you can now pump your gas.^{[9]
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- Your car may have a manual release pin instead of a lever. If you reach inside and see a pin, simply turn the pin counterclockwise, then pull it out.
- If your gas tank door does not have a fuel release button or lever (meaning you push it to unlock it), have a friend gently pry the gas tank door upward as you press the manual release lever.
4
Replace the manual release lever. A faulty release lever means that you can’t unlock your gas tank door whenever you need to. Fortunately, these parts are usually fairly cheap, and a mechanic can replace them easily. Take your car to a mechanic and have them replace the part to get your gas tank door working again.^{[10]
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- Sometimes, the gas tank door locking mechanism will stop working because a fuse has blown. If that’s the case, you can change the fuse yourself or take your car to a mechanic.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is the gas on the right or left side?

Ed Beery
Automotive Specialist
Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.

Ed Beery

Automotive Specialist

Expert Answer

Check the car's dashboard to confirm this. Many vehicles have a small arrow or indicator on the fuel gauge of the dashboard that indicates the side of the vehicle that has the fuel tank access.