As the price of gasoline rises, reports of fuel theft are also on the rise. While this is no doubt a growing concern for consumers, Ford owners can feel a little more secure knowing their vehicles have fuel system innovations such as the Easy Fuel capless fuel filler feature.
The Ford-exclusive Easy Fuel system deters fuel thieves from siphoning gas with a unique mis-fueling inhibitor. An inlet check valve reduces the chances of fuel theft by automatically closing after the fueling process.
“Our first goal is to make the refueling process as easy and trouble-free for the customer as possible,” said Brian Aitken, supervisor, Fuel Systems. “But if it also slows down would-be thieves. Ford customers benefit that way as well.”
As gas prices hover at the $4 per gallon mark, demand for gas isn’t letting up, as U.S. drivers still consume about 400 million gallons of gas daily. But due to recent prices at the pump, more incidences of fuel theft have been reported coast-to-coast. In fact, the West Sacramento, CA, Police Department, for example, issued a warning to residents about a rise in fuel theft that it attributed to the increase in fuel prices.
“It’s not a shock that illegal siphoning is rising with the sharp increase in the price at the pump,” said Patrick DeHaan, a senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com, an independent website that monitors the fuel industry. “Criminals will do anything for money, and that includes trying to take liquid gold out of your gas tank.”
Unless a thief fully understands out the Easy Fuel’s mis-fueling inhibitor works, it’s unlikely that they will be able to siphon fuel from any Ford vehicle.
Still, Ford’s Brian Aitken warns that while technologies built into Ford vehicles may help prevent siphoning, not all fuel thieves will be deterred. He notes that locking covers are also available for purchase from Ford and Lincoln dealers to provide added security.
To learn more about Ford’s Easy Fuel system, see the video below.
You must log in to post a comment.