Seems obvious that the E should be equipped with an interior released gas door. No one then has to worry about buying after-market locking caps and fiddle with additional keys.

Frederick

I agree!

Honda wanted to keep cost low. I would of paid extra for the gas release door like my accord.

Why did you think Honda didn't throw in bungee cords???

I also agree with an internal gas door release....I mean my husband's 1990 Honda Civic has one......come on I know the E is back to basics, but that is a little too basic....am I the only one paranoid about someone putting sugar in my tank?

I am a retail manager and have experienced other managers having their tires slashed, windows broken, etc....it isn't too hard to figure out whos car is whos......that being said I would've like to have had some sort of protection for my gas tank.

what sux is that the JDM Element has the internal release gas door.

I hate internal release/locking gas doors. I'm always standing at the pump with my nozzle in my hand when I realize I have to go back and open the frickin door. I like that the E doesn't have this "feature", but then, I'm not paranoid either. Nor do I live in the city with all the scumbags you guys live with, apparently. My driveway is 550 ft long and I park in the garage...Have at it.
Does anyone actually know somebody who had sugar put in their gas tank? Or is this an urban legend? :wink:

Here's the scoop from the experts on sugar in the gas tank!

http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Archive/2001/February/02.html

[quote:68ed696813="BigFoot"]Here's the scoop from the experts on sugar in the gas tank!

http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Archive/2001/February/02.html[/quote:68ed696813]

So all you paranoid people out there are locking your gas tanks for what? So that Honda can run the cost of a perfectly good (the way it is) Element up another $100 or so. Now y'all can chill out and go for a drive!

Dan, I have this horrible mental image of you standing at the pump with your nozzle in your hand. Even in California you could get arrested for that.
However, I do agree with you I like the door just the way it is.

I don't have my nozzle in my hand but I still like the door. I would like to see an option or aftermarket replacement cover that looks a little more heavy dutie.

I'm not crazy about the gas door - seems a little too easy to tamper with, but i am getting used to it and the paranoia is waning a little. not so worried about people putting something into the tank as i am about someone siphoning the increasingly expensive gas out!

I'd like an internal release for the gas door for the same reason I like the internal release for my hood and locks for the front and rear doors and clam shell hatch...security.
If you lock up your Element when you park it, then you could also be accused of being parionoid. Why would anyone NOT want a locked fuel access port as well? :roll:
Go figure....

I'll vote for this upgrade but only because having your engine ruined by some moron is no way to go. But by golly I'll stop right there and draw a line about other accessory items being stock since I bought my Element due to the fact that it did NOT have all kinds of electro gadgets to drive up the price and the eventual maintainence. My brother in law is still working on his 25 year old Toyota LC in the driveway with pretty primitive tools so there's something to be said for leaving well enough alone on gadgets. KISS

For those of us who live in one of the only states where you CAN'T pump your own gas (or maybe the only state...NJ), I would like the inside release. It's not that I'm paranoid on a daily basis about someone putting something in or taking something out of my gas tank, but I agree that it's just a security thing just like locking your doors. I was surprised when buying my E that it didn't have this since it seems like most cars do.
Ok well that's my 2 cents on that subject. :D

IMO is not really needed, no point unless you have enemies I guess. And if there was a internal release, not like some fool couldn't pop open the door with a screwdriver anyways. Our Benz doesn't have an internal release either by the way.

I like your thinking, Berniesgirl.
Just for your information...Oregon is another state where you can't pump your own gas. Are there any others out there?

[quote:6071cf9caf="dracki"]I like your thinking, Berniesgirl.
Just for your information...Oregon is another state where you can't pump your own gas. Are there any others out there?[/quote:6071cf9caf]

This may be a little off topic, but...

And why exactly can't you pump your own gas? Is it some kind of safety concern or don't the gas companies trust you to pay?
Seems a little strange to me, especially in the "home of the free".

Hello, I'm new here, so if this has already been covered, just point me in the right direction please. The lack of locking gas access is just dumb, IMHO. I would like to know what E owners have found out about after-market locking gas caps, especially in Ontario (Canada) where the gas-cap is part of the supposedly anti-pollution "Drive Clean" inspection program.
Thanks in advance for all helpful replies! Ch.S.

This will be my last post to this dedicated thread regarding this topic....but
The Home of the Free is also the Land of the Brave and for that reason, among others, litigeous minded people have successfully sued gas stations from injuries sustained while pumping gas.
:?

Why don't NJ and OR allow self-service?

1. Unions protecting jobs.
2. Government increasing the cost of gas to protect us from ourselves.
3. Stupidity

48 states to 2. Guess who's right?

BigFoot, I agree, but whats the deal, I go to Oregon and the gas is cheaper than Ca. The attendent in Oregon pumps the gas that came from California for less than I can pump myself in Ca. Go figure.

I have to disagree with you

Big Foot wrote:
"Why don't NJ and OR allow self-service?"

"1. Unions protecting jobs."

my reply - There are no unions for the people who work in gas stations in NJ


2. Government increasing the cost of gas to protect us from ourselves.

my reply - gas in NJ is cheaper than all the other states that I've been to on the east coast. I'm also not sure who is making the all this money - The government or the oil companies who run the government.

3. Stupidity

my reply - Well maybe not sure about this... these peple who pump gas are supposed to be "explosive techs" - which I doubt. But to day I did have an intersting thing happen. While getting gas in upstate New York today (at atleast 8 cents a gallon more than in NJ) who ever pumped my gas for got to close the gas hatch and left the cap in the "gas cap holder on the hatch. I did not notice it until after going 70 MPH and 30 miles down the New York Thruway when I stopped to get some coffee. YES it was ME who pumped the gas. There was someone behind me and I rushed after cleaning my windows. At least no gas station employee ever did that to me.

48 states to 2. Guess who's right?

My reply - So I don't understand who really is right. Gas stations were and may still be called "service stations" I guess in 48 states they don't use that term anymore.

Thom Wodock
Sergeanstville NJ

OK, I think this is all a little silly. do really think that a inside releasse will stop someone from putting something in your tank? Come on, think a little bit. If someone wanted to get to the cap of a inside release you just use a screwdriver to pop the door open. The metal tab that holds the door shut against the little pin on the end of the cable can be bent by using a screw driver. Besides if i was going to put something in a tank and go through all the effort of messing up your engine do you really think I would be worried about the finish of you car at the gas cap door??

[quote="Kayakin' Dan"]I hate internal release/locking gas doors. I'm always standing at the pump with my nozzle in my hand ......

AH HA!! I always thought K Dan was slightly off bubble, but he finally admits to odd behavior in public!!! Tsk, tsk, Dan!!

Ger

The reason gas is priced differently in different states is largely due to taxes. At stations here in AZ, full service costs more than self service. In NJ/OR you are not given that choice. You are paying for that service. It's an outdated and inefficent use of resources and capital.

But if you guys like it, it's always nice to be served! But it ain't free!

I pumped my own gas in NJ once. The attendant had a fit but what could he do it was a GOVT. vehicle lol

Hello, This thread began as a discussion of Honda's lamebrained decision not to have a gas-access door on the E requiring release from inside.
FWIW: I have discovered that at least in Canada, Honda offers a locking gas cap. It's about about $50 (Canadian) at the parts counter, but if you smile nicely at the salespersson when you're buying, you can probably get them to throw it in without extra charge ;-)
Cheers, Ch.S. / happy E owner for almost 48 hours now!