Will Check Engine Light Go Off After Tightening Gas Cap?
The active check engine light makes the vehicle owner nervous, especially if he experiences it for the first time.
In most cases, the car owner believes tightening the gas cap will turn off the check engine light.
But will the check engine light go off after tightening the gas cap? How long will the check engine light stay on after repairing the gas cap? Or what if it still exists?
In the following, we have covered all these queries associated with the check engine light and mentioned some other causes of the active check engine light.
Plus, you’ll get tips to find out the real source of what’s causing the check engine light to come on.
Will Check Engine Light Go Off After Tightening Gas Cap?
If the check engine light comes on due to loosening the gas cap, it should go off after tightening the cap. It may take several minutes of driving to turn off the check engine light. So it’s recommended to drive 30 to 100 miles to ensure the check engine light won’t appear.
A few Common reasons for Check Engine Light coming on
The check engine light on your car can come on due to:
- Loose gas cap
- Worn out wires or spark plugs
- Creaked or faulty gas cap
- Catalytic converter problem
- Defective oxygen sensor
- Damaged mass airflow sensor
Hopefully, now you realize the gas cap isn’t the only part that can cause the check engine to come on. It means your car’s check engine light won’t come off after squeezing the gas cap.
Hence, it’s wise to figure out the real source or make sure the gas cap is causing the trouble so you can handle it successfully.
To check, pull the vehicle to the shoulder first. If you notice the vehicle is smoking or producing an unusual noise while keeping the check engine light on, it means something is wrong with the car’s engine.
In this case, don’t drive the car anymore and call a professional mechanic.
Conversely, if you don’t find any smoke or hear any noise but still notice the check engine light, check the gas cap.
Though you don’t have experience with car repairs, you can still inspect the gas cap properly. You can solve the issue without visiting a local car repair shop to save both money and time.
How to Check If the Gas Cap is Loose?
Remove the gas cap door and get out of your vehicle. You can use light if it is too dark to inspect. You may require extra light to check whether or not the gas cap is cracked.
Check the gas cap carefully if there are any chips, cracks, or tears on it. If you find any, then your replacement of the gas cap is your only way to rescue it.
While checking, it’s wise to look out for the seal between the filler tube and the gas cap as well. There could be cracks or tears that cause the engine to start.
But if you find the gas cap is okay, reinstall it in the filler tube once again. Then tighten the cap until you hear a cap click sound, which indicates the gas cap is placed perfectly.
If you don’t hear any clicking sound or can’t fit it in place, then consider it the source of the problem. In this case, replacing the gas cap can turn off the check engine light.
Otherwise, after re-installing the gas cap, the check engine light should turn off once you drive for a few minutes.
The vehicle may also take 10 to 20 cycles (turning on and off is known as a cycle) before resetting the check engine light. Some cars also take 50 to 100 miles to reset.
Still, if you notice the check engine light coming on and going off, it means the gas cap is still loose.
Batter if you replace the gas cap to solve this irritating problem. While buying, make sure the new gas cap is well-matched with the make and model of your vehicle for a perfect fit.
FAQs
How Long Can The Check Engine Light Stay On After Tightening The Gas Cap?
If the lost gas cap is causing the check engine light to come on, pull it over and tighten it properly. After driving 10 or 20 miles, the check engine light should go off.
How To Reset The Check Engine Light After A Loose Gas Cap?
Sometimes a cracked or loosened gas cap triggers the check engine light. It generally happens due to the release of fumes.
In this case, remove the gas cap, re-install it tightly, and turn on the vehicle. The engine may reset automatically.
How Long Do You Need To Drive To Reset The Check Engine Light?
You should drive around 30 to 100 miles to ensure the check engine light doesn’t reappear. Some vehicle models need to reset the “Drive Cycle” mode as its various sensors require time to recalibrate.
Final words
By now you know will check engine light go off after tightening gas cap or not. If your vehicle’s check engine light goes off due to a loose or damaged gas cap, it will definitely go off after tightening or replacing it.
But you still notice the active check engine light. That means the gas cap doesn’t cause it.
In this case, you can look for the source by yourself if you have the skill for it, or call a professional to handle the job successfully.
