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Forget SYNC. MSNBC reports Ford's next great contribution to automotive technology will be getting rid of the gas cap. Matt O'Leary, chief engineer for the F-150 explains: "People just don't like the cap. Anyone who drives a vehicle hates that." So in response to the outcry coming from gas stations across the country, they're taking the EasyFuel capless refueling system first introduced on the Ford GT– and currently available on the 2008 Explorer– and expanding it across their entire North American line. O'Leary is confident the idea will eventually spread to all manufacturers. GM's Mark LaNeve isn't quite as enthusiastic. "The removal of the gas cap never shows up like a problem in any of our research." Like, wow.
33 Comments on “Ford Fixes Fuel Filling Frustrations...”
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Ford floundered and financed a feature the flock gives a F about.
I wonder how this affects emission testing. Here in Atlanta, they test your gas cap to make sure it has a proper seal.
Personally, I’d rather they get rid of refueling period. Do that, and the gas cap becomes moot…
Stunning innovations like this only serve to prove that Ford is and always has been at the pinnacle of automotive excellence and technological progress. That they intend to employ this game-changing feature on their entire line-up only further demonstrates the company’s unyeilding dedication to delivering the most competitive and satisfying automotive products to the American consumer.
Megan Benoit:
Personally, I’d rather they get rid of refueling period. Do that, and the gas cap becomes moot…
My Prius-driving brother got so used to not going to the gas station that one day he found himself driving on fumes. Fortunately, the battery let him limp to the nearest gas station.
I’m guessing that there’s a cost savings to Ford by going to a capless system, which spread over a couple of million vehicles comes out to real money. Free PR from MSNBC? Priceless.
Truly, it is the little touches like this (and features like intermittent steering and anti-lock locks) that set the exceptional automakers apart from the run of the mill.
Typical Detroit, spending good money on gizmo’s, gadget’s and technology (i call it gizmology) that NOBODY wants nor needs. That money could be much better spent for MEANINGFUL and needed product R&D and to purchase better quality materials. It’s no wonder the domestic 2.8 are losing customers like rats fleeing from a sinking ship!!!!!!!!
I recently lost the gas cap on my truck. I really could’ve really used this feature.
Useless gizmos and gadgets is up Japan’s alley, not Detroit, or have we forgotten the active-everything Mitsubishi 3000GT?
If removing your fuel door is such a major hastle, then I really think your driving privledges should be revoked.
I would like information on a retrofit. Do you think they will make a 200 gallon gas tank option soon for the F150?
Personally, I’ve never found removing the gas cap to be that big of a hassle, and I’ve never heard anyone complain about it or seen anyone struggling with it at a gas station. I’ve got to agree with GM on this one.
Maybe this is being done to attract the stock car crowd?
New from Ford! Refill your car the way the pros do.
“I would like information on a retrofit. Do you think they will make a 200 gallon gas tank option soon for the F150?”
It’s in the pipeline – here are the first photos:
http://www.old-trucks.net/35%20Ford%20FD.htm
Note the caveat: WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT ANY GIVEN TANK WILL NOT LEAK.
Also, it has run-flat tires, too, apparently.
red dawg :
Feel free to rid all cars of “gizmos” ABS brakes, ride control, stability control, rear window defrost, Imput for your Ipod, power windows, cruise control, self aiming-automatic headlights, heated seats, and see how happy you are with your new vehicle or you could just buy a 71′ Vega or a 1962 mercedes….I’ll take mine with gizmos thanks!
Now if Ford makes this safe for their customers – then great idea.
Detroit and Stuttgart spent a decade snickering at Japanese cupholders, too.
The legitimate test of any small feature is, “Once you’re used to it, would you miss it if it were gone?”
Given the number of gas caps that have left stinking fuel on my fingers, I’d vote Yes to this one.
I suggest that those who have difficulty opening the fuel filler door and removing the attached gas cap should just move to Oregon and forgoe the entire driver fueling process.
As for FoMoCo, spend the $$$ you’ll waste on this rediculous option on something meaningful; your gas caps aren’t the source of declining Taurus and Focus sales.
How about making locking fuel filler doors with remote releases standard across the range? The imports have been offering this as standard for decades.
Actually, this is a good idea that can provide some real benefits to owners, as long as it works as planned:
In addition to the convenience factor, the capless system also has environmental benefits, O’Leary said, by limiting the escape of gasoline vapors. And it ends a common problem that occurs when a cap isn’t screwed on tightly enough — a check engine light that appears on the dashboard due to a break in the fuel system’s vacuum.
Is this an earth-shattering innovation? No. But, if executed properly, it can’t hurt. If anything, it reminds of those little “surprise and delight” features that made my first Honda (a 1977 Civic CVCC hatchback) a pleasure to own even after the car was no longer new.
Just so long as I can lock it…
geeber gets it. Lots of people forget the gas cap or get it crossthreaded and trigger the check engine light, forcing a trip to the dealer. This should make plenty of people happy.
One thing I always say about Ford is that they’re “not known for their ability to make cars that don’t catch fire.” Now they’re messing with the fuel system…keep me away from that!
The thing is, you don’t have to buy a new Ford to have this convenience. Stant makes the InStant Fill gas cap that works the same way.
Sweet, now we’ll get to see 30-second commercials showing nothing but EasyFuel. Just like the Focus commercial that demonstrates SYNC yet never shows the car’s hideous side profile.
I don’t see what’s all the fuss about – Ford got some great free PR and now re-fueling is more convenient. It’s not a game changer or even a consideration when I decide on my next vehicle, but that’s not to say I wouldn’t mind having it.
iDrive and other super-complicated electronic gadgets are answers to things know body was asking (How can I make changing the radio more complicated?) Ford just answered the question know body was asking by providing a convenience.
Party on.
They’re trying a new feature. Good for Ford. This is what automakers are supposed to do, not just reheat the tired old stuff we had last year. And they can get some free green publicity.
This is what held me back from buying that Taurus – the gas cap. My ’85 Prelude DX and ’88 CRX HF had a remote gas cap door. Why does my ’05 Chevy Silverado 2500HD (with a nice 35 gallon take) not have one. Why does most Fords not have a remote door. How is this invention going to protect your gas from being stolen or from someone putting sugar in the tank? You would think that was more important to a customer than being able to fill ‘er up without a twist cap. I think even GM is right this time – this has never been a big complaint. You’ve gotta touch the gas pump handle anyway.
I don’t hate the gas cap..what I do hate is the gas cap doors that freeze in winter and there’s no manual way to open them.
Great! The new Chrysler interiors, the new GM Exteriors and the gas cap from Ford. The perfect American car!
In theory it sounds like a convenience. Same as “hidden wipers – great in warm weather, first ice storm, start diggging. As was mentioned, is it lockable? Sand or sugar in the tank is worse than theft. How’s it fare in a collision, assumed to exceed standards? Lastly, what’s it cost to fix? “Can’t break”, uh-huh, who’s making this again? (Sorry, very skeptical after all these years, perception ,perception).
Seems a slew of these genius ideas invariably sell the car but at fix-it time the cost goes sky high. Simple logic would dictate if taking the cap off is such a bother, then don’t hit self serve stations.
Actually, my gas cap went bad, throwing the usual codes on my LS2 powered Trailblazer SS. It took a while to figure out it wasn’t just my daughter not tightening it, though. It would just release on it’s own, eventually almost every time. Excellent…
Fortunately, I have a scan tool and was able to figure that out and clear the codes. A little research on the GTO forums shows that GM had a similar problem with LS2 powered GTOs, and eventually sent owners a certificate for a free redesigned gas cap.
But that’s not me – so rather than spend 2 hours at the local dealer getting another gas cap (that would surely fail), I used the forum’s best suggestion – head to the local auto parts store for a $14 aftermarket cap that’s made properly.
So actually, kudos to Ford for doing this.
I (for one) am tired of counting the clicks of my gas cap; bring it on!
Better have a door over it, though, to keep snow, sugar, and prying little digits out.
jaje:
My guess is that remote fuel doors aren’t all that popular on pick-ups because the filler is normally located on the bedside which is separate body panel from the cab that is often removed for other applications such as a tool-box bed, chassis-cab, or box van. Pick-ups make a lot of profit when sold to consumers, but they must be designed for commercial standards.
Automobile accessory stores sell the similar Stant InStant Fill Gas Cap for about $20.
Damn my eyes… it does have a door! (Found a bigger photo!)