Owning a Jeep is an amazing feeling. You can drive on any terrain and go on an adventure almost anywhere, well, until you realize your Jeep is giving you a weird light on the odometer that says “gas cap.” What does this mean? And is the vehicle still safe to drive?
A warning light with the words “gas cap” will come on in your Jeep if, for some reason, the gas cap is missing or not secured on your vehicle. But if you’ve already checked these issues, a possible clog or even another culprit might be to blame.
Although the indicator is mostly harmless, there are some serious reasons it could be showing on your vehicle. Keep reading to find out more about why this warning light is showing and what you can do to keep you and your Jeep road safe.
Why Do Jeeps Say Gas Cap?
It is always concerning when your vehicle has an indicator light come on. But it can be especially concerning when a light like gas cap comes on, but you’ve checked the gas cap, and it is there. Don’t brush this warning light off just yet because it could mean any of the following issues.
The Gas Cap is Unsecured
- There are multiple reasons your Jeep could be giving you the warning saying gas cap.
- The most common reason is that the gas cap on your vehicle is missing or not secured.
- Obviously, you would notice if it was missing, but there’s a chance it isn’t on properly.
- Take the time to unscrew it and screw it back on just to be sure.
You’ll also want to take a minute to check for any damage to the gas cap. If there are any chips or cracks, this could be why your gas cap light is on. A cracked or chipped gas cap will need to be replaced as soon as possible.
It’s Clogged With Grime
If you’ve tried the above, and you still have the gas cap warning light on your dash, then it may be time to look a little more closely at your gas cap. The gas cap warning light is programmed to come on if any material can pass through your gas cap.
- This means that there could be grime on the edges of your gas cap, preventing it from sitting flush in its holder.
- Sometimes even if you can’t see the grime, it could still be there.
- It’s best to have a certified mechanic check this for you, as it could be dangerous if your gas cap isn’t sitting properly.
Your Gas Cap is Old
Just like everything else in life, gas caps age. And if you’ve tried resecuring and cleaning it, and the light is still on, then it is highly likely that your gas cap is simply old. This is especially true if you’ve driven your car over 50,000 miles.
Although it may seem a bit annoying to have to get a new gas cap every 50,000 miles, this is the best way to be sure that you are keeping your Jeep in tip-top shape.
If you’ve purchased a new gas cap, and the warning light is still showing on your dash, then it is time to take your Jeep to a certified mechanic, as there could be something more seriously wrong with your Jeep.
Here’s a video to show how to fix some of the more complex Gas Cap Warning issues (P0455 & P0457) leak detected in system:
Can You Drive With the Gas Cap Warning Message On?
Maybe you were on your way to work when you noticed the gas cap message on your dashboard. Should you pull over immediately? And how soon should you get it checked out?
You can continue to drive with the gas cap warning message on if you have made sure the warning message isn’t displayed because of a dangerous driving condition.
- When the gas cap light comes on, it’s advised that you pull over as soon as practical and check your gas cap.
- This is because there is a chance it just isn’t on the right, or maybe you forgot to put it on after refueling.
- Either way, you’d rather find out now before you get on the highway.
If the gas cap is missing and you continue to drive, this is very dangerous and could put you and other drivers at risk. Not to mention you will experience reduced engine performance. This is why it is best to check right away when the light comes on.
Once you’ve checked and verified that the gas cap is still there (and tried resecuring it), if the light remains on, you are probably okay to finish your drive and make an appointment with a mechanic once you get to your destination.
However, you should not drive with this light on for an extended period of time, as there could be fuel fumes leaking into the cabin, which will put the driver of the vehicle at risk.
How Do You Solve Gas Cap Problems?
Is this the third or fourth time that you’ve seen the gas cap warning light on your dash? Well, even if the light goes away temporarily when you unscrew and re-screw the gas cap, this could indicate that you have a more serious problem with your vehicle.
- The best way to solve your frequent gas cap light problem is to buy a new gas cap.
- This is especially true if it has been more than 50,000 miles since your gas cap was last replaced.
- Sometimes a gas cap is just old and needs replacing.
It may be possible to replace any sealing components like rubber o-rings on the gas cap to save yourself a few bucks.
If you’ve already replaced your gas cap, the best way to solve gas cap problems is by taking your vehicle to get checked out by a Jeep mechanic, as there may be an issue with the fuel system that needs to be addressed.
Final Thoughts
No matter what model of Jeep you have, a warning light can quickly put an end to your off-roading fun. But if you see a gas cap warning light, don’t panic just yet, as this is typically an easy fix.
But if you’ve tried everything in this article and your Jeep gas cap warning light is still illuminated, then it is probably time to seek help to find out why your warning light won’t turn off. Then you can be back to all the fun that comes with owning a Jeep in no time at all.