Fuel smell inside the car

Pull over now

General guidance for this symptom. A warning light that is flashing or an overheating engine: stop driving and call.

Likely causes

• A leaking fuel line, injector seal or fuel rail

  Rubber and plastic parts age, and fittings loosen. Fuel dripping on a hot engine or exhaust is a fire risk, and the smell often reaches the cabin through the fresh-air intake at the base of the windshield. This needs a repair shop, usually by tow.

  Multi-point maintenance check
• A loose, missing or worn gas cap

  Vapor escapes at the filler, and some of it gets drawn into the car. On many vehicles it also sets a check engine light for an evaporative leak. The simplest fix on the list.

  Fuel system cleaning
• An evaporative emissions system fault

  The charcoal canister and its valves store and route fuel vapor. A cracked hose or a stuck valve can release vapor. In the Washoe testing area it can also affect a smog check (Nevada DMV).

  Smog check and emissions test
• Spilled fuel or a recent fill-up

  Fuel on your shoes, a drip on the side of the car or an overfilled tank can smell strongly for a short while. If it fades within the drive home, that is likely all it was.

  Multi-point maintenance check

Gasoline vapor is heavier than air, ignites easily and does not belong in the passenger compartment. Fuel lines, injectors and the fuel rail run close to a hot engine and exhaust, so a leak is more than an annoyance. Exhaust fumes in the cabin are a separate danger: carbon monoxide has no smell, and the CDC lists headache, dizziness and nausea as early symptoms. If anyone feels unwell, get to fresh air first and think about the car later.

At a glance

• Strong smell while driving: pull over, engine off, everyone out
• No smoking, no lighters, keep phones away from the engine bay
• Look under the car for drips or a wet spot
• Faint smell only after filling: check the gas cap is clicked tight
• A leaking fuel line is repair shop work and often needs a tow

What to do in the next few minutes

1. Signal, pull off the road somewhere safe, and turn the engine off.
2. Get everyone out of the car and away from traffic.
3. Do not smoke or use a lighter, and do not open the hood to look while the engine is hot.
4. From a safe distance, look underneath for a drip, a puddle or a wet line along the underside.
5. If you see fuel dripping or smell it strongly outside the car, call for a tow rather than driving.

If the only clue is a faint smell after you filled up, check that the cap clicked and the fuel door area is dry. If the smell is gone after a short drive with the windows open, you can likely drive on and have it checked this week.

What we can and cannot do

We are a quick lube, and fuel system leaks are not something we repair. If you drive in with a strong fuel smell, we will not lift the car and run it in the bay with a known leak. We will look from a safe position, check the gas cap and its seal, and tell you plainly that it needs a repair shop.

If the cause turns out to be a cap or a spill, you are back on the road. Later, once any repair is done, a fuel system cleaning or a routine maintenance check is something we can help with. For a Washoe-registered car, our Reno service centers can also run the smog check once the evaporative fault is repaired.

Check for recalls

Fuel leaks are a common reason for safety recalls. NHTSA's recall lookup takes your 17-character VIN and shows any open recalls, and recall repairs are done by the dealer. It is worth the check before you pay for anything. Our check engine light and smog guide explains the evaporative system codes if a light came on with the smell.