Any way to get the gas cap to lock besides using the remote?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 31
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
2008 Mercedes GL450
Any way to get the gas cap to lock besides using the remote?
Every time I go through a car wash, the gas cap flips open, as it only locks when the car is locked by remote. The inability for the cap to lock when the doors are locked while driving seems like a strange oversight by MB and a possible security issue.
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Joined: May 2015
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From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Good question. Does the FOB lock button work while the engine is running and inside the car?
However, I don't think there's an oversight or a security issue. By far, it would be more common to use the manual lock button to lock the doors, yet keep the fuel door open for a gas attendant at a full serve place. As for security, are you worried that someone is going to siphon your gas while you're "traversing" a highway?
Edit: Maybe the spring (or whatever) in the door is worn out and is opening too easily? I've never had the fuel door open.
However, I don't think there's an oversight or a security issue. By far, it would be more common to use the manual lock button to lock the doors, yet keep the fuel door open for a gas attendant at a full serve place. As for security, are you worried that someone is going to siphon your gas while you're "traversing" a highway?
Edit: Maybe the spring (or whatever) in the door is worn out and is opening too easily? I've never had the fuel door open.
Last edited by DennisG01; Apr 29, 2021 at 09:05 AM. Reason: clarification
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 31
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
2008 Mercedes GL450
Good question. Does the FOB lock button work while the engine is running and inside the car?
However, I don't think there's an oversight or a security issue. By far, it would be more common to use the manual lock button to lock the doors, yet keep the fuel door open for a gas attendant at a full serve place. As for security, are you worried that someone is going to siphon your gas while you're "traversing" a highway?
Edit: Maybe the spring (or whatever) in the door is worn out and is opening too easily? I've never had the fuel door open.
However, I don't think there's an oversight or a security issue. By far, it would be more common to use the manual lock button to lock the doors, yet keep the fuel door open for a gas attendant at a full serve place. As for security, are you worried that someone is going to siphon your gas while you're "traversing" a highway?
Edit: Maybe the spring (or whatever) in the door is worn out and is opening too easily? I've never had the fuel door open.
Also yes, theoretically someone could open your gas door in traffic, which seems like it shouldn’t be possible.
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Joined: May 2015
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From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Fob deactivates for safety reasons once in the ignition. I just don’t see why when the car is in D and on the move, the gas cap wouldn’t lock. This is a problem mainly in car washes when the brushes apply enough pressure to open the door (which could then be ripped off later in the car wash).
Also yes, theoretically someone could open your gas door in traffic, which seems like it shouldn’t be possible.
Also yes, theoretically someone could open your gas door in traffic, which seems like it shouldn’t be possible.
As far as the traffic thing goes... I think you're making a problem when there isn't one to begin with. I mean, who is, really, even going to do that? What about the hundreds and hundreds of thousands of cars already out there that don't have a fuel door that locks, at all? Can't say I've heard of that being a problem. Bringing things back around, I still think the full serve gas attendant thing trumps being able to lock in traffic - meaning, that gas attendant thing is more important.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 31
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
2008 Mercedes GL450
In theory, the door popping open an inch shouldn't be an issue with the direction the brushes travel... I think they always rotate towards the car from the front, right? But, back to a question above... maybe yours opens way too easy? As I said, that's never happened to me - but then, I'm only one example.
As far as the traffic thing goes... I think you're making a problem when there isn't one to begin with. I mean, who is, really, even going to do that? What about the hundreds and hundreds of thousands of cars already out there that don't have a fuel door that locks, at all? Can't say I've heard of that being a problem. Bringing things back around, I still think the full serve gas attendant thing trumps being able to lock in traffic - meaning, that gas attendant thing is more important.
As far as the traffic thing goes... I think you're making a problem when there isn't one to begin with. I mean, who is, really, even going to do that? What about the hundreds and hundreds of thousands of cars already out there that don't have a fuel door that locks, at all? Can't say I've heard of that being a problem. Bringing things back around, I still think the full serve gas attendant thing trumps being able to lock in traffic - meaning, that gas attendant thing is more important.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
I've had this happen a couple of times. I take the car to a brushless touchless car wash. I've noticed that if I leave less space on the left and more on the right, the high pressure water will not open the the door. I've not noticed the door open in the last long while. It is also possible that the car wash may had adjusted water pressure and I'm just unaware of it.
For reference, I keep the truck running and in P while it's in the bay. I have not tried N or D or R. The truck doors are locked.
For reference, I keep the truck running and in P while it's in the bay. I have not tried N or D or R. The truck doors are locked.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
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From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 625
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From: Germantown, MD
'07 GL450
It would seem to me that the door spring and/or latching mechanism may be worn and not providing sufficient resistance to counter the water/brush pressure.
On a separate note, what kind of Super Duper car wash do you go to? It's been ages since I've been through a car wash, but if this were a common problem, dealership 'complimentary car washes' would have surely caught it at some point.
