Locking gas caps prevent gas theft

According to PhillyBurbs auto parts suppliers are rapidly selling out of locking gas caps, which were originally invented in the 1930s because of gas siphoning thefts during the Great Depression.

According to the article, "I've never seen anything like this before. These things were collecting dust," said Brian Drake, who works at Bridgeville Auto Parts. "We can't even get them from suppliers. We've placed a couple orders. We're still waiting for them."

Drivers are reporting their gas tanks have been siphoned, or that they want to prevent potential siphoning due to ever-rising gas prices. Some stores are having difficulty getting more units in stock.

I actually had a locking gas cap on my 2001 Dodge Viper, but after about 6 months it started throwing an emissions light. Scared the bejeevus out of me. Thought for sure I had an expensive car repair ahead of me. Fortunately, Chuck Tator, a.k.a "The Viper Wizard" who runs the oldest independent Dodge dealership (1914) in the world and even drives a Viper of his own, calmed by fears when he asked if I recently installed a new gas gap. Sheeplishly, as though I was expecting to be scolded by the great Viper Wizard for putting on an aftermarket uncertified \$20 product, I told him "yes". He immediately knew that was the cause of the problem and once I put the original gas gap on, the warning light went away. He said it had something to do with the locking gas gaps not creating enough suction for the fuel vacuum pump. Beats me why it worked for 6 months without a problem though.

Speaking of cars, I was thinking about getting an SUV actually since my family is growing by one come April 2006. Damn, now what I do with gas prices going higher and higher? How am I suppose to fit my wife, me, two labrador retrievers, and our first baby due in April in a Mitsubishi 3000GT, Dodge Viper, or my wife's Taurus? None of these vehicles are big enough and I'm determined that my next car have at least 30MPG fuel economy.

Why haven't they invented an affordable hybrid electric / gas SUV? I'd buy one in a second. Seems like all the hybrids are small compact cars. <sigh> :(