..and they're all escaping.

What have I done?

On Moxie, I have a light on the Speedo. It says "Check Filler Cap". I think newer models say "Check Gas Cap". Over the last 4 years and 150,000 miles, I've never seen it go on. So, on my last road trip, I decided to test it, see if it actually did anything. So I purposefully left the cap a little loose, and hit the road.

Sure enough, it came on! I was pleased at that - means that it works. Whatever 'it' is.

Before my next fillup, tho, the light went out by itself. I hadn't tightened it yet, mind. Now, it is tight, has been for the last two weeks, and every three days or so, the light will come on. So far, it has gone out every time before I reach my destination. (Today it came on for only about.. 5 miles!) When it comes on, there are no error codes thrown.

So... what did I do? For kicks, I tried clearing the OBD2 codes, and that didn't do anything. I mean, it still came on afterwards. Honestly, I don't care when it comes on, or if it does. I'm more cornfuzzled on how it NEVER came on before, and now it is almost regular on lighting up.

Strange, strange..

 

Congrats on 150K miles

I think you have to run the car at least 3 times, on/off with the gas cover on, before the light will stay out.

 

Oh yeah, I have, many many times. (I first ran my test on my drive out to Colorado from Atlanta. It was tightly on since after that test while in Colorado, and on the way back, and now after a week of to-from work driving..)

 

Haven't you ever heard the saying, "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" or perhaps "curiosity killed the cat." I know quite cliche but true...

Sounds weird. I have had the light come on from the full service guy not tightening the cap all the way...I pulled over and tightened it and a few miles down the road the light went off and never came on again.

A few things I would try doing....

1. checking your manual (bentley if you have one)
2. filling up completely (with at least 91 octane and driving for a good 5 miles)
3. make sure there isn't anything binding up threads on gas cap
4. buy another gas cap
5. take it to MINI dealer

 

Yeah yeah, well, luckily I have about 251 lives left. Otherwise, I woulda died a loooong time ago.


I have a Haynes manual, I'll check in it when I get home from work. Didn't think about that. #2 I have done (I've filled up about 4 times since my first 'test'), #3 I will double check shortly. #4 and #5 I'd consider if it bothered me that much. The thing that confuses me is that it's turning on and off by itself, without me touching the cap now. (Like today, it came on and then turned itself off between exits on the interstate!) If I find anything, I'll post it.

Cheers!
Me.