is it safe to drive without a gas cap?

Answer 1

No, it is not safe to drive without a gas cap.

The primary and most important reason is the possibility of an explosion. If a smoker operating a vehicle is ahead of you and he throws his cigarette out of his vehicle and it flies into your gas cap, then BOOM.

Also, if you do not have a gas cap, then thieves can steal gas right out of your car.

Now, gas caps are not cheap (around $100), but they can save your life and wallet.

In some states, this will get you pulled over and cited.

Answer 2

Safe as far as a fire hazard? The answer should be obvious, however no one has mentioned this....gasoline is a compound of various hydrocarbons. Some of the elements are very light. They are called aromatic hydrocarbons and they evaporate readily. If your gas tank is open to the atmosphere 24/7 the light aromatic hydrocarbons vanish into the air and this leaves behind the heavier hydrocarbons in your tank thus changing the gasoline from gasoline you purchased to something less than your engine would like to run on.

Your car will start and run but there will be changes in octane (anti-knock properties) and fuel economy. The fuel economy won't change primarily due to the octane shift but the altered fuel just won't be the best performing due to the loss of some of the lighter aromatics and thus lower fuel economy results.

Furthermore, if any dirt gets in the tank it can damage the fuel pump, or equally as bad, clog an electronic fuel injector at the engine. I just replaced an electric fuel pump for a friend, the pump cost $343 (my cost, and I shopped around) and the labor was $150 which is about 1/2 to 1/3 of what a garage or car dealership would charge. We know this because we called around. I have also read stories in Forums on the web where people cry because they paid almost $900 parts and labor to have a fuel pump replaced in a Pontiac Grand Am. Get a replacement gas cap. Look on eBay or goto an auto recycling yard and buy one. If you can't find one at these places, a dealership will sell you one ( albeit for big $$ ).

In closing let me say that in some States (like California) allowing your gas tank to vent to atmosphere is considered air pollution. In California everyone is required to contain the fumes related to gasoline storage and transfer. If you have no gas cap and you are in a State like that, you are probably violating some emissions law.

Answer 3

Just buy another gas cap from your auto parts store or car dealer. It will be safer, your check engine light is less likely to go on and you won't lose so much gas to evaporation during the day. I am pretty sure that a new gas cap will not cost $100 (unless you have a Rolls or Bentley). I bought a new oil cap from a car dealer and it was under $8. I cannot imagine a gas cap costing that much more.

Answer 4

No it's not. Get a proper replacement now. In fact some newer cars will not even run properly with a lose gas cap let alone without one.

Answer 5

It is, so to speak, but it is a hole in the tank. I have seen it where a guy filled up the car and then made a sharp turn as he accellerated oout of the station. Gas was just spilling out of the filler hole. Bright! Lights on, nobody home.... It would be advisable to get something to cover the opening as it also keeps rainwater and dirt out which is a guarantee to screw up the fuel pump if not kill the engine.

Answer 6

Strictly speaking it's not safe but you'll probably be OK but don't expect the fuel in your tank to last very long.

It is rather bad for the environment to have all that petrol evaporating out (and very wasteful of your money) so put the cap on every time.

Answer 7

Not really. Go get one at Pep Boys or one of those places. Just do NOT stick a rag in there: that basically turns your car into a mobile Molotov cocktail.

And with gas prices like they are, you'll want to protect your gas!

Answer 8

No! You may not have a spark kill you, but don't risk it. Burning up is a horrible thing.

By the way, has anyone told you how to avoid burning in hell?

It's simple. Replace your gas cap, and live!!!

Answer 9

yes but cover it with somthing plastic and wrap it -seal the hole - what will happen if you leave the hole exposed is that all the gas in the tank will eventually evaporate and also you can get dust and grit in it that will seriously mess with your car in the long term so cover it with something until you steal or buy and new gas cap

Answer 10

NO. Smokers who throw their cigarettes out the window have been known to cause fires in the beds of P-U trucks. The pipe to your gas tank may be small but a butt could still land there...