[Teeps]

I just read through this thread, and did not see what the issues/repercussions/damages would be if the light is on. So, what could be the issues/repercussions/damages be if the light is on?

None for the most part.

A leaking evaporation recovery system would pollute the air, if the car is garaged a person might smell fuel fumes.
The biggest problem the car will fail a smog check. The problem would have to be corrected before a clean smog cert could be obtained.
In CA, you can't get a title or a new tag if there is an emissions failure detected by a testing station.

 

[scottyrocks]

None for the most part.

A leaking evaporation recovery system would pollute the air, if the car is garaged a person might smell fuel fumes.
The biggest problem the car will fail a smog check. The problem would have to be corrected before a clean smog cert could be obtained.
In CA, you can't get a title or a new tag if there is an emissions failure detected by a testing station.

Okay, so it's basically emissions-related. Thanks.

 

[Jamis]

So, what could be the issues/repercussions/damages be if the light is on?

I'll tell what the issues/repercussions would be if this message were left to display for more than one drive. SWMBO would be through the sunroof and my ears would be on fire! Haven't seen this message since 11/05 when it first appeared and I cleared all the codes. I'm still going to lubricate the seal in the cap on every oil change.

 

[mikeg3095]

Fuel Cap needs to be tightened? (2012 Civic)

Hey all,

Came on here to get some insight on my current situation. I have a 2012 Civic EXL that I got about a year ago. The other day I got gas and filled up my tank. The pump at the gas station was leaking right before the nozzle onto the handle. Gasoline began to pool around my fuel cap area as I was filling up my tank. I wiped it up and thought nothing of it. Well today I got out of work and started up my car to notice on the iMid "Fuel Cap needs to be tightened' message. I got out and tightened up the cap clicking it a couple times. But the message didn't go away. I took it for a good half hour drive later and couldn't get it to clear. I don't know if the gas dripping into the fuel fill area shorted something out or if it will just go away? I've read many posts on here where this message has come and gone.

Thanks!

 

[Coastie05]

Hey all,

Came on here to get some insight on my current situation. I have a 2012 Civic EXL that I got about a year ago. The other day I got gas and filled up my tank. The pump at the gas station was leaking right before the nozzle onto the handle. Gasoline began to pool around my fuel cap area as I was filling up my tank. I wiped it up and thought nothing of it. Well today I got out of work and started up my car to notice on the iMid "Fuel Cap needs to be tightened' message. I got out and tightened up the cap clicking it a couple times. But the message didn't go away. I took it for a good half hour drive later and couldn't get it to clear. I don't know if the gas dripping into the fuel fill area shorted something out or if it will just go away? I've read many posts on here where this message has come and gone.

Thanks!

I had the message come on once on my CRV and went away the next day. I haven't had it in happen in over 2 years now.

 

[bigbadspoon]

I think you have to take the cap off and then reset it to get the message to go away. Even then, it can take a while to go off, as I think it only checks the sensor that triggers the light under specific driving conditions.

 

[Teeps]

From pg. 314 of your Civic owner's manual:

Check/Tighten Fuel Cap Message

■ The message appears on when:
An evaporative system leak is detected. This may be caused by the fuel fill cap being
loose or not being installed.
■ What to do when the message appears:
1. Stop the engine.
2. Check that the fuel fill cap is fully installed.
If not, loosen the cap, and then retighten it until it clicks at least once.
3. Drive for several days of normal driving.
The message should go off.

■ When the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Malfunction indicator lamp comes on if the system continues to detect a leak of
gasoline vapor. If this happens, check the fuel fill cap using the procedures described
above.

 

[mikeg3095]

Thanks guys for the replies. It went off this morning on my way to work. Glad to know it was probably just nothing.

 

[Jamis]

I've had the message twice early on with Black Betty. It will go away following the instructions in the OM. I've not had the message for a couple of years now after adopting two things. One, when filling the tank, I go for more than four clicks of the gas cap to ensure it's properly tight. Two, every oil change, I spray the "O"ring in the cap with some ArmourAll to keep it soft and pliable for a proper seal. May be overkill, but the messages have not returned.

 

[em_ekohc]

Is the gasket on the cap black or brown? There is a problem with the black gaskets, if its black just grab another one from the closest dealer part number 17670-TR0-A11

 

[scottyrocks]

From pg. 314 of your Civic owner's manual:

Check/Tighten Fuel Cap Message

■ The message appears on when:
An evaporative system leak is detected. This may be caused by the fuel fill cap being
loose or not being installed.
■ What to do when the message appears:
1. Stop the engine.
2. Check that the fuel fill cap is fully installed.
If not, loosen the cap, and then retighten it until it clicks at least once.
3. Drive for several days of normal driving.
The message should go off.

■ When the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Malfunction indicator lamp comes on if the system continues to detect a leak of
gasoline vapor. If this happens, check the fuel fill cap using the procedures described
above.

Gee, the OM was useful. Whodathunkit?

 

[Custnam]

I know this is an old thread but I just got my 2012 Civic EX Sedan. It has about 29k miles on it. I just got the gas cap light for the first time. I think it is because I put a little mode gas in after I filled up. But the weird thing is that it didnt happen for 6 days after I filled up. Could that still be due to overfilling even though it was almost a week later? I did however barely drive it since then, maybe about 30 miles or so in that 6 days. Thanks guys.

 

[fear24]

i had the light come on few months back. i have a '14 model - thought this information would be beneficial, just in case. anyways, pulled out of garage in the morning...turned the corner and imid lit up. the fuel cap light. i pulled over at up the road...turned the car off, got out, removed the fuel cap, replaced it. tightened it properly and restarted the car. light was gone and has never came back on again. and this was in the middle of a tank of gas....which i thought was weird unless something was actually wrong.

sometimes...electronics just get glitchy and are tired...

 

[9GenSi]

I have had it happen twice in 131,000 miles. Always in hot weather, never failed to tighten cap properly, nor have I ever overfilled the gas tank.

 

[scottyrocks]

On my '15 LX, this has never happened. ~27k miles on the car.

Last night I filled up, nothing extra after the pump shut off, as always. Put the cap on with one click, which I have never done. Always 3 to 5 clicks. Musta been a brainfart.

Today I get the Tighten Gas Cap message on the imid.

Then I hunted down this thread to see what's what.

I removed the cap, and then retightened it the way I always do. Let's see how long it takes for the message to disappear.

I will report back.

 

[scottyrocks]

Merged.