Trouble Opening a Petrol Cap?! 😳🙄🤦‍♀️

What a nuisance for you. There must be a gadget to help with this because you won't be the only one. I'm sure the petrol station staff would be glad to help in the meantime?

If you love your car jools1310 I wouldn’t change it. No need to feel embarrassed about needing a little help at times. I buy my petrol in the Tesco petrol station and there is a blue button with a wheelchair icon on the side of the pump. The sign says press if you need assistance.

I’ve not used it but I did once ask the person at the next pump to twist off my petrol cap when my wrists were particularly painful. Most folk are more than happy to offer help. It seems a pity to change your car if you’re otherwise happy with it.

I've got arthritis in my hands and have had trouble a couple of times. I've actually found young men are the best to ask they've always been very kind. Both times when I had the problem I had let the petrol get very low so I am presuming there was ore of a vacumn of air never had the problem when more than a quarter tank full, just a thought.x

Have you tried wearing a gardening type glove with a grippy palm to it? I’ve found they help me to get hold of something, jam jar lids, taps etc, and turn it without needing to put in as much effort.

I have tried gardening gloves and they do help, but the Fiat has a flap you need to open before you get to the cap. So double issue. I’ve asked for help in the past, but once no one was around and you had to pay at the kiosk.

I’ll look out for the help button if there is no one to ask. Getting old is no picnic is it? 😳😄🙄🤷‍♀️

Hi I used to struggle when I locked it. Since I've left the cap unlocked it's much looser and so no problem. Maybe not as secure but I can't see anyone siphoning petrol out of my Citigo!

Davisuz I had to do the same and I have the same make of car! I doubt anybody would look at my car never mind touch it.

After I had just bought the car, the petrol was low so I went to fill it up but I couldn't unlock the cap. I returned to the original garage and the fellows thought this stupid old woman could not do a simple job but neither could they!

Would a rubber glove help get a grip. But if you can ask for help that is best. I find putting air in the tyres almost beyond me. I need help with that and would pay to have it done if I knew where to go.

Hi I feel for you this happened to me when I had a Skoda Citigo just couldn’t get the damned thing off. Ended up driving out of the petrol station the first time as was so embarrassed and nobody at another pump at the time. Went back and there was a connected tyre place right by it so asked one of their guys to help me and he suggested turning it a certain way which helped and I got it after a few goes. Most people seem happy to help if you pluck up the courage to ask.

Do wonder if it was a particular fault of the Skoda, now have a Golf and never had a problem. Hope it gets easier for you

My Ford Fiesta (and many previous Fiestas for years and years) has no petrol cap. You just push the pump nozzle in through a flap. Fords also have a heated front windscreen, so no scraping required.

I have a ford fiesta with no petrol cap, they just have the flap to access the petrol port

Jools1310
I have this problem with my fiat 500. In desperation I have swopped the filler cap to one I bought online. It's an AA 'temporary' one, problem solved!

I’ve 3 new finger joints so can’t undo a lot of things petrol cap included. I’ve got a small round silicone grab mat (think I got it from Amazon or Lakeland) that I can hold over jars to undo also keep one in the car for the petrol cap. If I’m on my own I usually ask someone at the next pump or pop inside and ask an attendant for help.

ah! me too! I have an elderly Wagon R.. but I think mine was more anxiety.. I got my gs to help me, he advised to leave it unlocked, and now after several/many times, I am learning to relax and calm.

I have had to ask for help in this time of anxiety, after dh died, etc. I do not ask for help easily, it is painful for me,, why can`t people understand that? I can`t even ask my close relatives , they are all so busy,busy.! gosh I get comfort from ready so many of these posts, I am not alone, You are not alone!

I do with the fiesta and the bigger car. But also so much around the house mainly when it’s cold.

Ha ha! I have same problem! Have to write it down on piece of paper and keep in car! That’s Italian thinking! Thought all petrol caps you just had to turn a key but not with the Fiat! Good luck with yours! (Write it down til it’s in yr head!)

Are there no shops in the UK that stock all the different aids people need to undo jam jars and other stiff lids, turn taps on and off?

I assume there are, so they would be the first place to ask for a gadget that can unscrew your petrol cap.

Failing that take the problem to whichever dealer you bought the car from - you cannot be the only person with this problem, so if car makers and dealers haven't already addressed the problem, it is time they did so.

From the number of comments you get when you Google this, it is a common problem and not just for those with arthritis

Assuming the flap is metal woukd a magnet help you pull it open. Tthere are magnets with handle grips.

SO pleased I’m not the only one! I too have a Fiat 500 which I love, but find it impossible to deal with the petroleum cap
mechanism. My husband has shown me several times, but my arthritic hands can’t cope.

I usually find a knight in shining armour to assist me, or just leave the blooming’ things open!

Helterskelter
I find the same problem with air in tyres and take my car to a local tyre place and ask them to check my tyres. They do this no problem and do not charge ok and they say that it what they are there for

I find putting air in the tyres almost beyond me. I need help with that and would pay to have it done if I knew where to go.

HelterSkelter1 the guys in our local ATS are always very obliging with little jobs like this, best to phone in advance so you don't turn up at a busy time.

I take my car down for them to check the tyres before my MOT is due, as they are a size that has to be ordered in.
They've never charged, though I always offer.
I take them some cakes or biscuits to share 😋

Lizzsalsa crossed posts!
I even made a point of reading through the full thread before I answered 😂