[HonestPessimist]

As the gas prices are rising with no end on sight, there is a strong possibility that there will be thieves breaking open your vehicles' gas caps and siphon the gas out of your vehicles into their carry-on tanks or straight to their vehicles. This would occur at night while people are sleeping and would be prompted to discover their full tank becomes half-filled or less in the morning before going to work.

We have people trying to steal the gas by driving into a gas station, pump up and then drive off without paying for it. Now we would have people being desperate to steal free gas from other people's vehicles by breaking the gas caps in non-garaged parking lots and siphon off the gas.

This is going to happen when people taking desperate measures too far and not to going to put up with paying too much for gas.

Just watch out, folks.

[lowem]

If that happens here, next thing you know the citizens will be screaming for armed guards with M-16's and MP5's guarding those precious multi-storey carparks, lol.

[Chris_B]

The governemtn will eventually deploy troops in the big city's anyway, thousands they say, if they feel there is a general threat to society from these "terrorists" the're always talking about. Luckily i wont have to steal gas, my bike get 50 mpg

[I_Like_Plants]

Ahh, back to the 70's, the Golden Age of gas siphoning......

[merecat]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('I_Like_Plants', 'A')hh, back to the 70's, the Golden Age of gas siphoning......

[Daculling]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('merecat', ' ')Nowadays a PC with webcam is all that's required to do motion detection monitoring with software.

[Leanan]

My dad always uses locking gascaps, and it dates from the '70s oil crisis. We lived in a cheap apartment complex. Apartments are of course prime territory for gas thieves, since there are so many cars there, and you can easily hide between them while you're stealing the gas. (Isn't that always the case? The people who can least afford it are the ones who get stolen from.)

Gasoline poisoning was epidemic back then. People would try to start the siphon by sucking on the end of a garden hose, and end up swallowing gasoline.

I was going to get a locking gascap when I traded my midsize sedan for a little Corolla, but found I didn't have to. The gas cap on Corollas can only be opened from inside the car.

[k_semler]

I saw a drive-off the other day when I got my fishing lisence. It was kind of funny. It was an early 90's black Dodge Neon, (92-94), with a dented in front left quarter panel, and the guy just drove off without paying for the fuel. The lady ran out trying to get a LP number, and ran back in and called the Pullman Police department. Then I got my fishing lisence so I left.

Also, I have a locking gas cap, a dog, flood lights, and enough ammunition for any would-be gas thief. If they feel like betting thier life on a few gallons of gasoline, I say let them. They are stealing from me, and I will show them no quarter. (unless they surrender and wait 45 miniutes for the sheriff to show up). They try to resist, and they will wish they hadn't.

[I_Like_Plants]

I know this is a cheap shot but.....

Anyone seeing your spelling on here ought to be scared shitless semler, honestly!

(more time spent on sight picture than on books lol!)

[jlpicard2]

What is the best kind of gas cap lock (95 Monte Carlo & 2000 Alero) and where can I buy a couple? It might be good to beat the rush.

[BrownDog]

I have had a locking gas cap for some time. Not too long ago, the key broke off in the lock, and of course, it was locked (free turning). So I had to figure a way to get the cap off before the next fill up. It took about 5 seconds, as the cap I have is plastic, and the top part popped off with a very slight tug. I then just unscrewed the bottom piece.

I'd love to find a good one (ford) but they all seem just ornamental at this point.

[Free]

I don't understand what you are talking about, you mean you can open your gas caps just like that without unlocking them first with a key?
Or are you talking about a second additional lock that is put over the gas cap like for example the locks you can put on your steering wheel?

[BrownDog]

I assume that's directed to me. The one I have is made by stant, and it's basically two plastic pieces, a top and a bottom one, and a cylinder (lock). When it's "locked" the top piece (which you'd grab with your hand) spins freely, while the bottom stays on the filler. All it takes is a mild upward tug on the top plastic piece and the top will pop off. Then you just have to twist the bottom piece by hand to remove it.

[Free]

Hm thanks I have still no idea what you are talking about, but please tell me, is this a second lock to the one in the gas cap or do you have no locks at all there?

[BrownDog]

A picture is worth a thousand words:
http://www.stant.com/brochure.cfm?broch ... ion_id=170

I just have a non-locking door over this cap. The only lock is built into the cap, which I purchased as an aftermarket item.

[Free]

I see, thanks, I don't think you can even buy a car here without a lock at the gas cap.

[aflatoxin]

I like to leave a 2-gallon can of gas in the back of my pickup where potential thieves can easily find it. I put a gallon of gas and about 2 quarts of linseed oil in it.

Past experience has shown that this usually stops the gas siphoning spree at the apartment complex.

[RonMN]

Ya don't need a locking gas cap...if ya use a bear trap

Then just look for the guy with no left foot & ya found y'r perp!

[Leanan]

My Ford Taurus didn't have a locking gascap or door. Anyone could open it up and siphon out gas (or pour in sugar, for that matter). My parent's Ford Explorer didn't come with any kind of lock, either.

My dad bought locking gascaps for his cars at an auto parts store. They are steel, not plastic. He bought them awhile back, though, so I don't know if they still make them.

[peak_ah_boo]

Gas cans filled with gas spiked with sugar will cure theiving too.