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Why does my car smell like gas?

I got in my car to head to work the other day, and it smelled like gas. What’s going on?

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Sarah Gray · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
If your car smells like gas, you might have cause for concern, but it could be a problem that’s easily fixed.
If, in addition to the smell of gas, you notice a puddle under your car or your fuel gauge seems to be slipping down more quickly than usual, you could have a gas leak. This is extremely dangerous, as gas leaks are one of the leading causes of vehicle fires. Call up your mechanic immediately.
Luckily, a gas leak isn’t the most likely culprit. Here are some of the most common things that can make your car smell like gas, and that you can easily fix yourself or with a mechanic’s help:
  • A loose, damaged, or missing gas cap, which can be easily tightened or replaced.
  • Loose spark plugs
  • Failed pressure regulator
  • Faulty gasket or O-ring around your oil cap
While you’re figuring out which of these issues might be causing your car to smell like gas, take a minute to check your
car insurance
policy. Just in case, you might want to ensure it includes comprehensive coverage, which will pay for damages from engine fires under most circumstances. To make sure you have all the coverage you need at the best price, download the
Jerry
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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