I accidentally drove away without my fuel filler cap in place, will I have spilled petrol?

I forgot to put petrol cap after filling up petrol, then drove for about half an hour and only notice when reverse parking in my driveway. Have I spilled any petrol while I’m driving?

Asked on 29 April 2024 by Tagg

Answered by David Ross

It is highly unlikely that you will have spilled any petrol even with the petrol cap not in place. The petrol tank in most vehicles is mounted low down within the car, and top of the fuel filler pipe usually has a flap to stop anything unwanted getting in or out. Even if you had filled your car to the brim, little or no fuel will have escaped.

Tags: petrol fuel filler flap fire risk

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