Gas door froze shut. I almost ran out of gas.

[ppg677]

Latest surprise on my new Genesis. I was low on gas today (Thanksgiving). No problem, gas station up ahead.

Problem: Fuel door doesn't open. It's frozen shut! I scrape off all the ice in the cracks. I have nothing to pry it with. Ice scraper no good. Credit car no good. I don't have a screwdriver. Gas station is closed (pay by credit card only).

In driving cars for 20+ years in the winter, this has NEVER happened to me before.

I ended up making it home (Miles to empty was well past zero) and using a hairdryer to get it opened again.

WTF

 

[Bill K]

I've had that happen, but I never let my cars get below 1/4 tank.
(It wasn't my Genesis that it happened to)

 

[NJTom]

Last year, the driver's door button to unlock the car froze and broke because I pressed too hard. Had to replace the whole handle. Not happy.

Thanks for prepping us for a potential issue. Note to self: keep flat head screwdriver in trunk.

 

[Bill K]

I'm not sure that I'd ever use a screwdriver to force open the gas tank cover. Sounds like a good way to break that plastic cover.

Note to self: Always use the fob to unlock doors when they are covered with ice.
.

 

[Richard Ft. Lauderdale]

Did you try the cable in the trunk?

 

[landtuna]

1970-era Beetles were renowned for their doors icing shut in freezing rain. I learned to carry a small bottle of alcohol spray in my briefcase that I could free up the door lock and, if necessary, the door gasket. Some people used those BBQ lighters but you have to be very careful if you go that route and I would NOT use them anywhere near the gas cap.

 

[Glassman]

This has happened to me quite a few times last winter and already once this year, I typically can get it open by just pounding on it from the outside a handful of times to break away any internal ice then re-pop it open from the button or emergency release in the trunk. When all else fails I do have a set of plastic bike tire levers in the trunk that I can use to pop it open without scratching the car.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

Had this happen quite a few times in the past few weeks. Solution is simple...take you hand and make a fist. Hit the fuel door with the butt of your hand (called a hammer fist) go open the fuel door now. Viola!

EDIT: whoops...what glassman said lol