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Simple Innovation: Ford's Easy Fuel System

By Rain Noe - August 11, 2011

in Tech

As an avid Zipcar user I routinely drive a wide variety of cars, from hybrids to SUVs, all from different manufacturers; it depends on what's available in the lot when I need to go pick something up. All of the manufacturers have designed the same refueling requirements—pop the lid, unscrew the cap, stick the nozzle in—except for Ford, as they've gotten rid of that middle step.

For those of you who've never heard of it, a few years ago Ford quietly introduced their Easy Fuel system, which is a minor-sounding but brilliant piece of engineering. Instead of unscrewing a cap, after flipping the fuel door open you simply stick the nozzle through a little spring-loaded gate that automatically seals shut when you're done. It's so simple and intelligent that it makes screwing and unscrewing a cap seem silly, and I wonder why the other manufacturers haven't all followed suit. Interestingly enough, the Easy Fuel was initially designed because some Ford customers were apparently putting the wrong fuel in their cars. The Easy Fuel aperture is designed to detect the differently-sized diameters of a regular or diesel nozzle and only admit the correct one.

For those interested in the actual engineering behind the Easy Fuel, here's Ford's original press release from '08.

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robert gold

7 years ago

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Dumb idea. How to take a simple $1 cap and make it into a $300 headache. Speaking from experience when it fails you can't fill the gas tank making you car into a 3,000lb paper weight.

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N Andrea

9 years ago

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question about this, i have a 2010 explorer and i too have the easy fuel system, not a fan of it but i can live with it. anyways.. the plastic/rubber part that sits around the no cap part, what is it called? is there a replacement, the rubber tore and is loose & would like to see if I can avoid having to go to the dealer....

thanks a bunch!

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Jason

10 years ago

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The easy full system by Ford is horrible. I have a 2010 Raptor and im constantly having to turn off the check engine light then perform a drive cycle to reset the monitors. Is it really that hard to unscrew a gas cap.
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Keith

11 years ago

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I will not buy a new ford again. The easy fuel system turned an $8 problem into a $180 problem, with an extra $100 in labor. When your gas cap light comes on (so you automatically fail emissions) with easy fuel (and I can confirm it does), prepare to open your checkbook to the tune of $300. You can't hit a parts store and buy a cap, instead you have to install a new filler neck. The only problem easy fuel has solved is parts revenue for Ford.
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Matti

13 years ago

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I wonder how this works during the winter with -22 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Will it shut back tight for sure? I somehow doubt that the spring would work very smoothly in extreme temperatures.

Other than that, a typical "Why didn't I think of that?" innovation, very nice!
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JK

13 years ago

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At least Renault has had this kind of solution for years now. I had 2003 Megane which had this kind of "stick it in" solution and without internal switch for the lid. The lid opened only when the doors were unlocked and the car stationary. Unfortunately it was actually really crappy car otherwise.

My point is there must be something else than meets the eye in this Easy Fuel system. Capless refuel is nothing new.
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Todd B

13 years ago

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Uh, was I the only one who found the computer renderings arousing?!?
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Duane Brown

13 years ago

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We pop the lid from inside of the vehicle so people don't steal gasoline from your tank.. Plus the lips they have for your finger look bad. As well they aren't actually locked shut just flap around so eventually wear out.
Yes people do steal gas.. especially when it's only going to go up. Also prevents people from putting crap down your tank if they want an easy revenge!!
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Richard

13 years ago

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I think the popping of the lid from inside the car is to prevent people from syphoning gas out of the cars fuel tank. I know it was a somewhat common thing before the internal switch, as my dad was one of the takers as well as one taken from
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dave

13 years ago

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The new Fords also simplify step 1: "pop the lid", by allowing you to do that by pushing the lid itself -- no popping from inside the car required. That was another improvement that had me asking, "Yeah, why do we always have to pop the lid inside the car before getting out?" Maybe owners were worried someone would steal their gas cap. :)
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tim Rowledge

13 years ago

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I don't recall exactly which model or make but a long time ago - so long I still lived in the UK, so 20+ years - I had a car that had a sort of bung on the filler flap. Open the flap, stick pump nozzle in, close flap. Umm, better pull out the nozzle first I guess.
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Jomy

13 years ago

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In the 1990s I swore I'd never drive a Ford again. It is encouraging to see some real innovation coming out of Ford again. I just might have to eat my words.
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