Vandalism/theft of gas.

[TehRickster]

Hello everyone, been lookin' around and still haven't been able to find a thread concerning protection on the gas end. If there is such a thread/post, I am sorry that I missed it.

Recently had a friend over for a couple hours and come morning, we find out that the gas from his car had been siphoned in front of my own home. It's a nice neighborhood too.

As my Fr-s does not arrive till another 2-3 weeks, I have not been able to find any information on if the gas door is opened inside the vehicle or opened outside. Here recently where I currently live (Texas), we've had an increase in vandalism's and gas theft due to an oil boom, among other things. Back before things got hectic, I never really felt that uncomfortable about these situations as it rarely happened, though now that these things have been happening on a day-to-day basis, I'm afraid of leaving any vehicle unattended at all times. People have gotten very crafty on what they use in gas tanks these days to intentionally mess up engines. And from what I've seen/heard recently, I'd like to avoid this as much as I could.

What I'm basically getting at is, if the door isn't opened internally, are there any gas doors currently in development that have a lock on it that follow the curves of the Fr-s? Or if it is opened internally, are there items or ways to protect it even more?

Also I currently work in the oilfield and cannot change jobs as of this moment, so parking in a safer area is out of reach . What is everyone's thoughts on the vandalism through the gas tank? Also sorry for the long post .

Rick

[post_break]

i'm almost positive you have to release the gas lid from inside the car. I'm still on my first tank so I'm going off of the manual.

[Jidonsu]

Gas lid opens from the inside.

[TehRickster]

Thanks for the information, guys.

[rice_classic]

Gas lid opens anyway I want it to with a flat head screw driver. I agree with OP, a locking gas cap would be nice. They were a big hit during the energy crisis in the 70's. Even in 2008 when gas spiked I would always get approached by someone, somewhere asking for money for gas.

[Sasquachulator]

doesnt the gas lid also get locked when the car is locked?

[kappaknight]

Ford actually has some great technology in this area. I know they use it on the new Explorers, but not sure what else.

[Hix]

They will just pry it open. It has been done on my exgf's car a few times when we were together. Only thing that stopped the actual gas theft was a locking gas cap. They took a crowbar to it and it didn't come off.

[nix]

Wow that's crazy, never thought that would be happening in a 1st world country.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by Hix

They will just pry it open. It has been done on my exgf's car a few times when we were together. Only thing that stopped the actual gas theft was a locking gas cap. They took a crowbar to it and it didn't come off.

i'd rather let the thieves siphon all the gas than making it more difficult for them and risk damaging from a crowbar.

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by nix

Wow that's crazy, never thought that would be happening in a 1st world country.

It happens everywhere, thieves exist in every form, every culture in every era.

[encity5]

Originally Posted by dem00n

It happens everywhere, thieves exist in every form, every culture in every era.

Very true

[Moshpit37]

Originally Posted by ayau

i'd rather let the thieves siphon all the gas than making it more difficult for them and risk damaging from a crowbar.

$35 for a tank of gas or $1,000+ for bodywork/paint (unless your insurance covers it)

[Takeshi]

Once I filled my tank up to find it half gone later that day. I told everyone how it was siphoned because I was so shocked, and there was no lock (Jeep). Later, I re-checked my gas receipt, and it turns out I only filled my tank 1/2 way accidentally. Oops. haha. Guess the auto-stop on the nozzle was a little over active, and I was not paying attention.