April 23, 2019

Gasoline makes your car go, but its smell should stay out of your cabin. If you're driving down the road and you smell gas in your car, it's likely a sign of trouble. This isn't always the case; a gas smell that disappears quickly may be caused by another car, especially if you're sitting in traffic. However, if you keep smelling gas, there's likely an issue that needs to be looked at. Here are four potential causes.

4. Missing Gas Cap

The gas cap in your Subaru helps seal vapors in. If you forgot to screw it back on after your last fill-up, you may smell these vapors, especially if you're sitting in stop-and-go traffic or at a stoplight.

3. Cracked or Worn Gas Cap

Even if you did remember to reattach the fuel cap, it may still be the source of the problem. If the gas cap has a seal that's worn out, the fumes could escape that way. The cap itself could also be cracked. In either case, you'll need to replace it with a new one. Fortunately, this is an inexpensive part that's easy to replace.

2. A Gas Leak

A gas leak is a serious matter, and it can happen in various locations throughout your Subaru. Gas could be leaking from the gas tank, or it could be leaking from somewhere in the engine. If it's the latter, it could be due to bad engine seals or a leaky fuel injector. This can be particularly dangerous, as gasoline is volatile and prone to combust. If you suspect a gas leak, don't put repairs off: bring your Subaru to an authorized service center as soon as possible. In fact, you should not drive a vehicle that you suspect of leaking raw gas as this is extremely dangerous.