Gas filler door open message--ACT IMMEDIATELY

Not sure if ever look for such a message. Maybe it's there, but remains unseen most times.

 

No mention of it in the UK user guide so I assume we don't have it.

 

Ours has a warning sticker inside the fuel door.

 

Sticker on ours just says "Unleaded fuel only" and the word "Diesel" with a cross through it. I don't know why it says that as leaded fuel hasn't been available for over 20 years now and a Diesel nozzle won't fit in the filler tube.

 

For anyone having a problem reading the text in the photo it says:

NOTICE
Complete refueling within 30 minutes
of opening the fuel filler door.
If refueling more than 30 minutes
after opening the fuel filler door,
push the fuel filler door opener
switch again, or fuel may
overflow during the refueling
process.
See Owner's Manual for details

 

delete

 

The 30 minute message applies to anyone who opens the fuel lid door intending to refuel, but for whatever reason doesn't right away. Most people nowadays are refueling at convenience stores or in some cases travel plazas. So they might pull up to the pump, pop the fuel door, go inside to prepay, or even if using a credit card they go inside first to use the restroom, then wind up spending time looking at all the different snacks and drinks, maybe then sit at the bench and eat their hotdog, or make a phone call etc. and it could be 30 minutes before they get back to their car, or even 25 minutes, then the time spend going through the pump menu, which seems to take some people 2-3 minutes, and then time spent pumping, the clock could run out and fuel starts spraying out. Personally I think people shouldn't leave their car parked at the pump unless they are ready to pump, but I am just giving an example of what could sometimes happen to some people, especially at a travel plaza.

I agree though that the sticker should maybe also mention that if you drive with the fuel door open the 30 minute limit does not apply and that you must press the fuel door open button again before refueling. Although finding some way to not make it sound like they are condoning driving with the fuel door open. One of those awkward, "You shouldn't, but if you do" messages.

 

You've previously indicated that you don't retain knowledge until you learn by doing in the school of hard knocks. So at this point, I'm not sure Toyota could have written anything in the manual or on a sticker to appease you, since you still wouldn't have "APPLIED" whatever they wrote.

You hit an undocumented edge case. Thanks for letting the rest of us know about it. More complaining and sarcasm here isn't going to change anything.

 

Note (as described more fully in my other post) - if your fuel filler has a black disc like the one in this photo, and that disc interferes with the latch, it may also close the fuel valve and cause fuel spills.

 

If the message is that the door is open, isn't the solution to close it?

 

Only because some people do not read the whole thread before posting.

 

First and foremost, nobody is calling anybody dumb. The point of the forum is to share experiences and help each other out.

The fact of the matter is that the GEN IV is a complicated vehicle. That's why there's two paragraphs about the message and the fuel filling process in the manual, as well as explanation of functional aspects that have I've never experienced: (i) Potential for a delay after requesting to open the fuel filler & a message showing when it's ready; and (ii) a 30 minute time out.

I also discovered that if, while filling, one accidentally interferes with the door latch, it will cause the fuel to spill over - just like you discovered that when it gives the message "Fuel Door Open", pretty much the same thing will happen. We're both in the same boat in that regard, and are trying to help out our fellow GEN IV owners before they experience such messiness.

My only point is that this is not a vehicle design issue. I disagree with the assertion that there is any deficiency of communication. When the car gives you the "Fuel Door Open" message - it is doing so as a warning. It is telling you that something is in an undesirable state. Just like when my colleague discretely tells me "Your fly is open". In both cases, most reasonable people would know what the appropriate next step is - without any need for explanation as to the cause or potential consequence.

As an engineer, I'd disagree with the suggestion that this is a design defect. An engineer and designer can't possibly create an interface dialog for EVERY possible scenario. Usually, one opens their fuel door AT the pump, and then closes it after filling. I find the expectation that the designers to anticipate that someone would open the door, and then drive a mile to another gas station, and somehow create a message for that situation is a bit unreasonable. In the same way, I don't expect that there is a reminder message provided telling me not to interfere with the door latch while filling (although I'd certainly have appreciated one).

In each of our cases, the true cause of the problem was a bit (of admittedly unexpected) operator error when using an acknowledged complicated fueling system. (An operator shouldn't open up the fuel filler door when 1 mile away from the gas station, as well as an operator shouldn't interfere with the door latch when filling).

You didn't need to repeat yourself, I read your prior posts, and your repetition wasn't necessary. I was merely trying to suggest a more reasonable perspective than the immediate, reflexive "It is a design flaw" suggestion...

 

Whenever I screw up, it's a design flaw by definition. .......

So, is there anyone left who doesn't yet understand that the gas tank fill valve will close after having the fuel door open for 30 minutes or when you drive the car whether or not you've closed the fuel door?

Any mistake we survive should be a learning experience. Thanks again, OP, for your transparency and vulnerability.

 

It is a design issue in as much as they could have designed a larger door area to move the latch further away from the filler nozzle.