How To Open Gas Tank On Any BMW Model?

If you’ve just purchased or borrowed a BMW, opening the gas tank can be confusing if you’re not familiar with their unique fuel door designs. Unlike most cars that have a gas cap, BMW uses a pressurized, push-to-open fuel door. The method to open this door depends on the BMW model and year.

This blog post will walk through the steps to open the gas tank on any BMW. We’ll cover:

Different BMW fuel door types
Opening the door on standard models
Opening electric/hybrid models
Removing the fuel cap
Closing the gas tank
Troubleshooting a stuck door
When to call a mechanic
Tips for easy fueling

Follow these BMW gas tank opening instructions and you’ll be ready to fuel up your new ride with no issues.

Different BMW Fuel Door Designs

Not all BMWs have the same type of fuel door. Here’s a quick overview of what you may encounter:

Older Models With a Traditional Gas Cap

Some older BMW models still have a regular locking gas cap. To access the cap, simply insert the key and turn it counterclockwise. This will unlock the cap so you can unscrew it and begin pumping gas.

Newer Models With a Push-to-Open Fuel Door

Most newer BMW models have adopted the push-to-open fuel door design. There will be a fuel door panel on the driver’s side that pops open when pressed gently. The gas cap is then accessible after opening the fuel door.

Electric/Hybrid Models With a Fuel Door Release Button

BMW electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids have a pressurized fuel tank system. These models have a fuel door release button that must be pressed before the fuel door can be opened.

Now let’s go over how to properly open the gas tank on each type of BMW.

Opening the Fuel Door on a Standard BMW

If your BMW has the newer push-open style fuel door located on the driver’s side, follow these instructions to access the gas cap:

Make Sure the Car is Unlocked

The fuel door will not open unless your car is unlocked. BMW designed it this way as a safety feature to prevent tampering. So before trying to open the fuel door, be sure to unlock the car fully.

You can unlock the car by pressing the unlock button on your key fob, or by putting the car in park and turning off the ignition. When parked, BMWs will automatically unlock.

Locate the Fuel Door on the Driver’s Side

Once unlocked, step out of the vehicle and locate the fuel door. It will be a panel flush with the body, situated on the driver’s side rear quarter panel.

Look for a small fuel pump icon on the panel – this indicates where to press to pop the door open.

Press Gently on the Edge of the Fuel Door

Don’t pry or forcefully push the fuel door. Doing so can damage the locking mechanism.

Instead, press gently on the trailing edge of the fuel door. You’ll feel it release from the body.

Fuel Door Will Pop Open

After pressing inward, the fuel door will spring open slightly. Lift the door the rest of the way to access the gas cap.

You can now unscrew the cap and begin pumping gas into your BMW.

Opening the Fuel Door on an Electric/Hybrid BMW

The process is slightly different for electric and hybrid BMWs equipped with a pressurized fuel tank. These models have a fuel door release button inside the cabin.

Follow these steps to open the fuel door on a plug-in hybrid or electric BMW:

Press the Fuel Door Release Button

Look on the lower portion of the driver’s door, near the trunk release lever. You’ll see a button with a fuel pump icon – this is the fuel door release.

Press the button once firmly. You should hear a click from the rear of the vehicle as the fuel door mechanisms disengage.

Wait for the Instrument Cluster Notification

After pressing the release button, check the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. It will display a message stating “Refueling Possible – Fuel Door Open”.

This indicates the pressurization system has completed and the fuel door can now be opened.

Open the Fuel Door

Get out and locate the fuel door on the rear driver’s side, as described previously. Gently press the edge inward and lift open fully.

You can now access the gas cap and begin filling up your electric or plug-in hybrid BMW.

Removing the Fuel Cap on Any BMW

Once the BMW fuel door is open, you need to unscrew the gas cap before pumping fuel. Here’s how:

Turn the Cap Counterclockwise to Unscrew

The gas cap will have a small arrow pointing left (or counter-clockwise). Turn the cap in this direction to unscrew it.

Keep turning until the cap is completely free and can be removed from the fuel filler neck.

Place Cap Somewhere Clean While Fueling

Set the gas cap somewhere clean, like on a paper towel or cloth in your truck, while you pump gas. This keeps it from getting dirty or scratched.

Avoid placing it directly on the ground or a dirty surface.

Closing the Gas Tank When Finished

You’ll need to properly secure the gas cap and close the BMW fuel door once you’ve finished pumping gas. Here’s how:

Replace Gas Cap and Turn Clockwise

Pick up the gas cap and align it with the filler neck. Turn it clockwise until you hear several clicks. The clicks indicate the cap is fully tightened.

Make sure the cap is completely closed to prevent fuel vapors from escaping. The BMW fuel system is sealed, so a loose cap can cause issues.

Close Fuel Door Gently Until It Clicks

Lower the fuel door back into place, pressing gently on the trailing edge. You’ll hear an audible click when it latches fully.

Tug lightly on the fuel door to ensure it is securely closed. This prevents the door from opening while driving.

And that covers the complete process of opening and closing the gas tank on any BMW model!

Troubleshooting a Stuck Fuel Door

In some cases, you may go to open the BMW fuel door and find it stuck shut. Here are some tips to get it open if this happens:

Make sure the car is definitely unlocked. The fuel door won’t open at all when locked.
Check for any electrical or fuse issues that could affect the fuel door. Problems in this system can prevent the door from operating normally.
Use the emergency manual fuel door release lever. There is a mechanical lever located behind the rear seat back that will pop the fuel door open manually. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions specific to your BMW model.
Have a dealer or mechanic repair any faulty components in the fuel door mechanism if needed. Electrical failures, broken release levers, or other issues can cause a stuck fuel door.

When to Call a Mechanic

While the fuel door on a BMW is designed to be maintenance-free, you should call a professional in these situations:

The fuel door is stuck shut and you suspect an electrical failure or fuse issue. Do not try to pry the door open, as this can damage the vehicle. Have a technician properly diagnose and repair electrical problems.
The emergency manual release lever is broken. Since this lever is mechanical, it can wear out or break over time. A mechanic can replace the lever quickly so the backup release system functions properly again.
You need to replace the fuel door or gas cap due to damage. Repairing body damage on a BMW requires professional skill to get the fuel door aligned and sealing correctly again.
Routine maintenance for the fuel system. BMW recommends periodically inspecting the gas cap seal and fuel lines for cracks or damage. A technician can ensure this critical sealed system stays leak-free.

Calling a professional BMW mechanic as soon as you notice an issue can prevent more extensive repairs down the road.

Tips for Smooth BMW Fueling

Use these quick fueling tips for the best experience at the gas station with your BMW:

Always unlock your vehicle before trying to open the fuel door. Forgetting this step is the most common reason owners struggle with the push-open door.
Don’t pry on the edges of the fuel door. Be gentle when pressing it open – forcing it can damage the locking mechanism.
Make sure to replace the gas cap tightly before driving away. The BMW fuel system is pressurized, so a loose cap allows fuel vapors to escape and triggers a check engine light.
Keep the surface around the fuel door clean. Avoid getting dirt, mud, or debris trapped near the seals, which can prevent proper closure.
Check the fuel cap seal regularly and replace when worn. Small cracks in the seal can impact the sealed fuel system.

By following the step-by-step instructions in this guide, you’ll be able to successfully open the gas tank on any BMW model. Just be gentle, take care not to force the fuel door, and double check that it’s securely closed when finished. With a little practice it becomes quick and easy.

Now you can cruise the highway in your BMW without having to pull over and call for help the first time you need to fill up! Using these gas tank opening tips, you’ll fuel up with confidence.

Conclusion

The push-open fuel door design on modern BMWs may seem odd at first to drivers used to a regular gas cap. But once you know the simple process of unlocking the car, locating the fuel door, gently pressing to pop it open, unscrewing the cap, and closing everything securely – filling up is a breeze.

Even electric and hybrid BMW models with pressurized fuel tanks only require an extra step of pressing the fuel door release button and waiting for the go-ahead from your instrument cluster.

Follow the instructions in this article when fueling your BMW and opening the gas tank will be fast and hassle-free every time. With the right technique, bmw owners can access their gas tanks and hit the open road once again.