It had been a while since I gassed up the Kizashi. so after glancing at the lower left dash area and then down alongside the driver's seat for the fuel door release, I remembered that there wasn't one. After earning our admiration for its fine road manners, smooth powertrain and nice cabin, had we found a place where a corner was cut? Is there no security for the fuel filler?
Nope, turns out the Kizashi has another Euro characteristic -- central locking that includes the fuel door -- something I remember Mercedes-Benz touting decades ago. It's essentially a system that automatically locks/unlocks the fuel door in lockstep with the doors. So when the doors are locked, so is the fuel door. When they (or just the driver's) are unlocked, likewise for that metal flap. To gas up, just push on the left side of the flap and it swings open (and yes, it has a built-in cap holder too.) Maybe this small convenience still doesn't match Ford's capless filler for the ultimate in low-effort refueling, but it does make it a little easier than most cars, which require you to first hit a button or pull a lever.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 18,039 miles
htr_hardtech says:
11:02 AM, 01/31/11
Yep, when I rented a Camry and a Altima I was very very lost. I had no clue how to get the fuel door to open. The car was unlocked but the fuel door wouldnt open.
Let recap my cars.
92 Sundance no switch or pull just open.
96 Contour no switch or pull just open.
95 Explorer no switch or pull just open.
05 BMW 330CI no switch or pull, just need to make sure the car is unlocked and tap it.
09 Pontiac G8 GT no switch or pull, just need to make sure the car is unlocked and tap it.
So I was very lost and thought it was the cheapest POS way of getting it done. Something I will look for in future cars. Because the Camry and Altima scheme was BS.
roadburner says:
11:02 AM, 01/31/11
I really like that feature. It's a minor annoyance to pull the few door release on my MS3, but the central locking system is simply more convenient.
travelingman79 says:
11:35 AM, 01/31/11
Love this feature on the BMWs I've owned. All the security with none of the hassle. One of those little things that remind you that you're getting what you pay for when you buy a BMW or Mercedes versus an Acura or Lexus. Very impressed with Suzuki that they've included it on the Kizashi. Now if only they could combine the tied-into-central-locking feature with Ford's cap-less filler, it'd be ideal.
And another fringe benefit is looks: can have a flush-fit panel without those finger hole recesses for pulling them open on the (mostly domestic) vehicles that have neither a release in the cabin nor any type of locking/securing mechanism.
hoosiergrandad says:
11:39 AM, 01/31/11
Honda CT is like this too........a drawback of this setup is that if you are going thru a carwash and haven't locked your doors, you'll come out the other end with your fuel door open. Happened to me a few weeks ago. No harm done, but possibly the door could have gotten bent.
littlebill says:
12:25 PM, 01/31/11
My old car, 2003 Infiniti G35, has this feature. I've taken a lot of my car's features for granted over the years but I realize not too many cars have all these features in one car. A few things I really like about my car are the reclining rear seatbacks, all FOUR windows are auto up & down, and one touch open/close moonroof. There's a lot more but I'll spare you. I don't know if I'll ever own another car with all the features I currently have with this car.
zcalvert says:
12:59 PM, 01/31/11
I think you're only half correct. For the full Euro effect, the gas cap would be on the passenger side of the car.
adamb1 says:
02:55 PM, 01/31/11
I think the best idea is found on my Ram 1500. It doesn't lock and I've never thought twice about it. It is parked in my garage every night and usually in a building while I'm at work. But I've never been concerned that someone would steel fuel or put something in the tank of anything I've owned. Nor can I think of anyone I know who has had either of those things happen to them. Seems like needless complication to me.
felonious_monk says:
06:01 PM, 01/31/11
adamb1 says:
02:55 PM, 01/31/11
"I think the best idea is found on my Ram 1500. It doesn't lock and I've never thought twice about it. It is parked in my garage every night and usually in a building while I'm at work. But I've never been concerned that someone would steel fuel or put something in the tank of anything I've owned. Nor can I think of anyone I know who has had either of those things happen to them. Seems like needless complication to me."
Yeah, seems that way until someone siphons your fuel; which, BTW, happens all the time all over the country. I had a meeting at a client's run long once and didn't get out of there until after dark. The client's offices were located in a high-falutin' building in a swanky business district, but guess what I caught when I went out to my car? Some douche with a hose and a can trying to pry my fuel door open. The thief of course beat feet as soon as he saw us. The only advantage to not having a locking fuel door I can see is that, while they'll get your gas, at least your fuel door won't be damaged.
boost4 says:
07:32 PM, 01/31/11
How about the simple metal tabs to hang the neck of the filler on while your fueling? Something as entry level as my 10 year old VW Golf GL with crank windows has a notch to hold the filler cap while my new, flagship model Mazda lacks this and has easily scratched black paint that's just waiting for that tethered filler to swing on by its finish.
Also, the VW has height adjustment for both front seats while the Mazda leaves this one out. It's a story of de-contenting and my hat's off to Suzuki for not falling into that temptation here.
kevm14 says:
09:29 PM, 01/31/11
My 05 CTS-V does not have a locking gas door. You press on the side opposite to where it opens and that pushes it open.
My current 93 Caprice and past 95 Fleetwood both have rear license plate/fuel door assemblies, a throw back to the real old days. However, the Fleetwood's actually did incorporate central locking and prevented you from pulling down the plate when the car was locked. You could even open the trunk and flick a mechanical lever and unlock it as a failsafe. Pretty neat.
milt721 says:
09:56 AM, 02/ 1/11
"So I was very lost and thought it was the cheapest POS way of getting it done. Something I will look for in future cars. Because the Camry and Altima scheme was BS."
So no lock is just fine but a manual lock is cheap. Got it.