Smoke and smells
Smell of gasoline or diesel in the car: what to do
A strong smell of gasoline or diesel inside or around the car can come from a fuel leak, and that is a fire risk. A faint smell just after refueling can be normal; a lasting one is not.
Stop as soon as it is safeSmoke and smells
Reviewed by Daniel Morales, founder of Reprorace SL, on
Is it serious? Can I keep driving?
Do not keep driving. If the smell is strong, you see fuel dripping or you smell it inside the cabin, stop as soon as it is safe, switch off the engine, get out and do not smoke or use flames nearby. Do not restart until a professional has checked it.
A careful, general answer: only someone who inspects the car can say whether it is safe to drive. When in doubt, stop somewhere safe and call for assistance.
Most likely causes
- Leak in fuel lines or injectors: a worn seal or fuel pipe under the hood.
- Fuel cap or filler neck: a cap left loose or with a worn seal lets vapor out.
- Vapor system (EVAP): the charcoal canister or its purge valve let gasoline vapor escape.
- Overfilled tank: carrying on after the pump clicks off can make fuel overflow.
- Very rich mixture: the exhaust smells of fuel when the engine does not burn it well.
Listed from more to less common in general; on your car they may be different. A fault-code reading and a check at the garage confirm which one it is.
To understand it better: Why does the check engine light come on after refueling? What are fuel trims and how do you read them?
Car system: Fuel and air
What you can check yourself
With the engine off, look for drips or a puddle under the car, especially under the engine and the tank.
Check that the fuel cap is properly closed.
Note whether the smell only appears after refueling or all the time.
Do not look for the leak with the engine running or with a naked flame, and do not touch hot parts.
Safe checks only: with the engine off and cold whenever you look under the hood, without taking anything apart and without touching hot or moving parts.
Related fault codes
- P0455EVAP system: large leak detected
- P0442EVAP system: small leak detected
- P0456EVAP system: very small leak detected
- P0457EVAP system: leak detected (fuel cap loose or missing)
- P0093Fuel system: large leak detected
- P0441EVAP system incorrect purge flow: malfunction
Generic codes that often come with this symptom. Seeing one does not confirm the cause: it is where the diagnosis starts.
How the ECO-LITE helps diagnose it
Plugged into the OBD socket, the ECO-LITE reads the fault codes of the control units that answer, with the freeze-frame data captured when the fault happened, and shows live data on your phone or computer. With your permission, your garage can see them remotely before you bring the car in.
What to look at here: vapor system (EVAP) and fuel pressure codes, and fuel trims.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to smell gasoline after refueling?
A faint smell for a few minutes, yes. If it lasts, is strong or appears without refueling, have it checked.
Is a gasoline smell inside the car dangerous?
Yes: besides the fire risk, breathing fuel vapor causes dizziness and headaches. Ventilate, stop and have it checked.
What codes does it usually store?
If it comes from the vapor system, codes such as P0455 (large leak) or P0457 (fuel cap). A liquid fuel leak often stores none.
Keep reading
- Fuel and air: how it works and what fails
- Car uses more fuel than normal: causes and what to check
- Engine warning light on and steady: what it means and what to do
- Rotten egg smell from the car: what it means
- Car symptoms: what they mean and what to do
- Check engine light on: what to do
- How to read and clear your car's fault codes
- OBD fault codes: what each one means