Gas thieves!!! Locking Gas Caps?

I was watching our local news last night and they were talking about the huge increase in thefts of gasoline from people's gas tanks when they were parked in front of their homes, and at the movies, and at the malls, and even at the grocery store. EEEEK!

It made me wonder if I should purchase locking gas caps for both of our vehicles -- especially with gas priced at $4.69 a gallon here. And I was wondering if I should get ones specific to our make/model of car, or just see what they have at the local auto parts store.

Are you taking steps to protect your gas?

I had a locking gas cap on my old car...I think it would be a good precaution right now. There are probably some desperate people out there right now...and gas is like gold !

Get ones specific to the make and model of your car.  My mom bought one of these locking gas caps because her neighborhood is known for these kinds of things and she's had her car tinkered with before.  Her car always told her something was wrong and after a few months of trying to figure out exactly what was setting off the alarm, it was concluded it was her standard locking gas cap.

I bought one months ago and people acted like I was crazy (or over reacting). I ended up taking it back (I was short for cash). Now I'm sure they are probably sold out.

We all have them in the UK every car comes with one to I would highly recommend it. Siphoning fuel was a huge problem over here, I guess because our fuel has always been so expensive.

Be careful if you buy one.  Sometimes the thief makes a hole in your gas tank and drains the gas out anyway.  That happens here, not to me personally.  Can you park somewhere secure?  Do you have a garage?

Original Post by bettypage4:

Be careful if you buy one.  Sometimes the thief makes a hole in your gas tank and drains the gas out anyway.  That happens here, not to me personally.  Can you park somewhere secure?  Do you have a garage?

 The thieves here are stealing gas from restaurant and mall and grocery store parking lots (in broad daylight!)! (At home, both cars are garaged.)

yup..someone TRIED to steal gas out of my car.  they ended up leaving the hose in there so i had to have my whole gas tank removed so they could get the hose out. it must have been almost two feet long!  

It's the same here.  The thieves are starting to make holes in the people's gas tanks now.  They put it on the news.  It's so terrible.  I leave the car inside the garage as much as possible.  I only have the car at half a tank unless I go for a long drive or full day out and don't have a tank lock yet, but I am thinking of one also.  Most of my friends have locks now, so you are not alone in considering it. 

This weekend someone broke into our house while we were asleep and took my wallet and the SO's purse. They only used cards to buy gas. Good times.

Ha they are talking about it on the tv over here right now.....they recommend an anti siphon device and or an alarm device which alerts you if someone tries to tamper with your tank

We have been hearing more about people make a hole and under the car and draining the car. Sounds dangerous.

I haven't bought any gas for 110 days now. I bicycle everywhere. As far as locking gas caps, they can be defeated with a hammer and screw driver in about 30 seconds. If they are going to steal your gas they are going to get it one way or another. If your tank gets drilled you will have a couple of hundred dollar repair bill to go along with your missing fuel.

Whats really bad is when the news talks about it a lot and that puts the idea into the heads of others who will then do it. So... probably going to be even more people doing this now...

did you guys hear about the couple that cought the apartment on fire. they lived on the second floor and as they watched the gas prices going up they thought they would stock up. so they filled containers and put it in their closet. it combusted and caused the fire. crap!

we bought a new truck yesterday and they said that the dealerships are having to put night guards out because they are putting holes in the gas tanks. and ya, one spark with the wrong drill bit and bye bye thief

This was on our news this morning.....

 

Woman dies after diesel raid 

 

edit: sorry can't get it to work but if you go to sky news and type the above in you'll get it.

 gmule that sounds great.  Has anyone on this site had their tank drilled?  I am curious about how prevalent this behavior really is. 

That's what I thought sportstergirl. BOOM!  I heard they are steeling something else under the cars to sell at salvage. I don't know what part. Maybe something with amissions? sp?   Is there something under there with copper that is worth money? They are steeling something awful from new consruction around here the wiring. It's going to get worse I'm sure with price the way they are.

That would be the catalytic converter. It is full of platinum.

My gas protection plan has 2 parts - a lock gas cap and Mossberg 12 ga.  Woe to the gas thief that trips my car alarm.