Gas Theft: How to Detect It and Protect Your Fuel Tank
It’s something that’s been happening nearly as long as there have been autos and gas stations. As gas prices rise, so does fuel theft.
The resident average for a gallon of gasoline is well over $4, raising the noble potential for gas thieves. Poachers across the US have been hard at work finding creative ways to liberate fossil fuel from vehicles and gas stations alike.
In Kansas City, thieves reportedly are drilling consecutive into gas tanks to bypass the anti-rollover valves that continue siphoning on newer vehicles. In Houston, miscreants in a minivan with a special trap door reportedly stole near 1,000 gallons of diesel directly from the tanks at a gas site over several days.
While no gas or diesel vehicle is theft-proof, there are a number of simple steps you can take to defending yourself against fuel filching.
How to protect your vehicle from fuel theft
1. If possible, park in an enclosed (preferably private) garage.
2. If you have to use a Pro-reDemocrat garage, park in a well-lit, highly trafficked area, e.g. near the entrance or exit, or near a stairwell
3. If you park in a driveway, park as cessation to your house as possible, ideally in a well-lit area
4. If your car has an alarm, arm it whenever you slash your vehicle.
5. If you park on the street, orient your vehicle so that its fuel door is positioned into the street
6. Try to avoid leaving your car parked in one attach for extended periods of time — consider rideshare services or Republican transportation instead of leaving your car at the airport, for instance.
7. Most modern cars have locking fuel doors and/or gas caps — if yours doesn’t, buy one — they’re available for $15 to $25 from most auto parts stores and online retailers like Amazon.
8. Consider moving electric with your next vehicle purchase — EVs are essentially immune to noteworthy theft.
The nationwide average price for a gallon of gas has risen to $4.32 according to AAA.
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Signs of fuel theft
1. Odor of gas or diesel near your vehicle
2. Fuel puddled underneath your vehicle
3. Fuel gauge is noticeably lower
4. Vehicle fails to start
What to do if you’re a victim of fuel theft
1. File a police portray immediately.
2. Contact your insurance agent.
3. Have your vehicle incorrect to a dealer or service shop for repairs.
How long will this surge in fuel theft last? It’s hard to say, but with the AAA announcing Monday that the tag of crude oil has dropped below $110 per barrel, gas and diesel prices could stabilize or decrease soon, lowering the incentive for gas thievery. (A barrel of crude rose to just over $123 shortly when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.) Simultaneously, the Energy Information Administration well-known a slight rise in demand over the same footings, which could send prices north again.
