There’s nothing quite like that new-car smell. It’s often cited as one of the things people most like to smell over and over again. However, when that pleasant in-car ambience is ruined by something like the smell of gasoline, then things change.
Have you ever sensed that gasoline smell from inside the passenger cabin? We don’t mean at a time when you were at the gas station. How does that gasoline odor get in there? What does it mean? These questions and more we will try to answer in today’s blog.
When Might You Smell Gasoline in Your Car?
There are several common times that you might sense the smell of gasoline in your car when driving. These include:
- When idling at traffic lights or in heavy traffic
- Seemingly at random as you’re driving along
- When you turn on the A/C or heater
- When you’re accelerating
- After getting back in your car at the gas station
Many of these times when you smell gas could indicate a problem, but not all. In the next section, we’ll cover the causes of your car’s gasoline smell.
Why Might My Car Smell Like Gasoline?
1. You Just Filled Up
If you just finished adding gas and got back into your car, it’s possible you’ll smell gas because gas particles can get onto your hands, clothes and therefore into your car when you get back in. The smell of gasoline is potent, so even a very small amount can give off a noticeable odor.
If you smell the gasoline as you’re pulling away, but then it goes away shortly after, then it’s likely just some stray particles and you have nothing to worry about. Do pay attention to see if the smell comes back at another time, however.
2. Loose or Cracked Gas Cap
Your car should warn you if the gas cap is loose because you didn’t put it back properly or securely. You should always be sure to put the cap back snugly and ensure it is twisted securely into place. If the gas cap looks securely fastened, then take it off and inspect it for signs of cracks or other damage.
Any breach in the seal, be it through improper placement or damage, will cause gas fumes to escape the gas tank and enter your field of smell. This can be a simple DIY check that you can do without the help of a professional.
3. Leaks in Fuel Line or Fuel Injectors
Your fuel system is pretty large and intricate, with many parts attached to that one central supply. Fuel goes down fuel lines, through filters and into the injector, where it gets blown into the cylinders to mix and combust with air, and so on. Fuel is everywhere in your car.
A leak in any part of your fuel system, be it from the lines, the injectors or any other part, is a very serious problem that warrants immediate attention. Look for signs of leakage such as gas puddles under your car, and of course, the smell of gasoline when driving that might get more and more pungent over time as leaked gas builds up.
This leaked fuel could ignite and become a very fiery and difficult problem, so reflect on that.
4. Your Fuel Tank is Degraded
Your fuel tank experiences wear and tear just as much as other parts of your car. It’s designed to be heavy-duty since its housing one of the nastiest chemical materials that your car depends on, gasoline.
If you’re driving an older car and smell gasoline when driving, then it could be because your degraded fuel tank is leaking, cracked or otherwise letting out fumes or even letting out gasoline itself
5. Faulty EVAP System
The EVAP system is put there to capture harmful vapors that are released naturally as gas sits in your fuel tank. It uses an activated charcoal canister to do this before any fuel is sent forward to the engine.
One of the signs that your EVAP system is experiencing trouble is when you’re filling up the gas tank. Do you ever notice that the auto shut-off is kicking in well before the tank is actually full? Alternatively, are you filling up and up but that same mechanism never kicks in? This is a tell-tale sign that there’s an issue with EVAP. It needs to be seen by a mechanic as soon as possible.
6. Faulty Spark Plugs
Finally, if you have a loose or otherwise faulty spark plug, then excess fuel mixture can escape out of its contained space, which may generate fumes and a smell of gas in the passenger cabin. If you smell gasoline when you turn on the a/c or heater, it could be drawing fumes from where your spark plugs are and pumping it into the cabin.
Is It Safe to Keep Driving if I Smell Gas?
If the scenario is that you have just gotten back into your car at the gas station and smell gasoline briefly as you pull away, then it’s probably safe to keep driving. The smell will likely disappear very quickly in that case. In all the other scenarios and reasons we gave for the gasoline smell above, it’s not safe to keep going.
First of all, the gas fumes are harmful and can make you feel sick. If you have any persistent smell of gasoline as you’re driving or idling, then you should take the car to be checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Even if it turns out to be something fairly minor, it needs fixing. The worst-cases of leaking gas can turn into real disasters like fires and explosions.
What Should You Do If You Smell Gas While Driving?
If you smell gas while driving and it’s either a persistent odor or keeps coming back again and again periodically when you’re on the road, then you should seek the help of a mechanic right away.
The car needs to be checked for fuel leaks and signs of other serious problems. What you can do to start is check your gas cap. Check that the gas cap is screwed on properly and that there are no cracks or other damage. If the cap is sealed and intact, then the problem lies elsewhere, and that’s where a mechanic will be needed.
