Need A New Fuel Cap On Your Subaru? Here's What To Do.

Legacy fuel cap

The fuel cap is an important part of your Subaru's fuel system. Also called a gas cap or fuel filler cap, a fuel cap covers and seals the opening to the fuel tank. It serves several important purposes:

  • To prevent impurities (dirt, debris, dust, water, etc.) from entering the fuel tank and contaminating the fuel
  • To keep the fuel fumes from escaping the fuel tank
  • To keep the fuel from spilling out of the tank

If your fuel cap fails, you want to replace it ASAP. When a fuel cap fails, it can no longer serve the above purposes. That means you'll end up with:

  • Dirty and contaminated fuel
  • Failed fuel system parts (such as the fuel filter)
  • Fuel fumes leaking out of the opening
  • Fuel spilling out of the tank when you turn too sharply, hit something, or brake too hard

How To Know When To Replace Your Subaru Fuel Cap

broken-fuel-cap

Here are some signs of a bad fuel cap:

  • Smell of fuel outside and/or inside the vehicle
  • Check engine light coming on
  • Various error codes related to emissions

The best way to determine if your gas cap has gone bad is to give it a visual inspection. Look for:

  • Worn (hard and brittle) or broken seal
  • Any visible damage such as cracks or corrosion
  • Loose fitment

If you notice any of these problems with your gas cap, then it may be time for a new one. Replacing a fuel cap on a Subaru is pretty easy. You can get the job done in 10 minutes. We'll show you how to do that.

Buy An OEM Replacement Subaru Fuel Cap

OEM subaru fuel cap

The first thing you need to do is to get a replacement fuel cap. If you want your new fuel cap to fit right and last a long time, get an OEM cap. An OEM fuel cap is made by Subaru or a company contracted by Subaru. It's also a direct replacement of the stock fuel cap on your car. It will fit properly, look good, and work correctly.

The same cannot be said about aftermarket fuel caps. Aftermarket fuel caps are made by third party companies. They may fit fine, but they won't always look good or work properly. Additionally, aftermarket fuel caps tend to start leaking after a short time.

You can get a genuine OEM Subaru fuel cap from us at low prices. Check out our catalog here! This fuel cap for 2004-2006 Subaru Baja, Legacy, and Outback models is one of our best sellers. If you need a related part like a Subaru fuel cap tether clip (also called a Subaru fuel cap retainer or strap), we've got one for you.

How To Replace The Fuel Cap On Your Subaru

Replacing a Subaru fuel cap is a pretty straightforward process. You can find a model-specific tutorial if you'd prefer to follow specific steps. If you're looking for an overview of the process, here's one:

  1. Turn your ignition to "ON" but don't start the engine. (Only if you have a newer Subaru with the fuel door release button.)
  2. Open the gas tank door.
  3. Remove the old fuel cap. If it comes with a tether, remove the bolt or clip holding the tether in place.
  4. Install the new fuel cap. If it comes with a tether, be sure to secure it in place with a bolt or new clip. Make sure it's in all the way and properly sealed.

And that's it! Follow these simple steps, and you'll be able to replace your own fuel cap without too much difficulty.