Testing gas caps puts a cap on wasted gas
Testing events will be held across the metro for Air Quality Awareness Week
How much of that expensive gas you paid for is evaporating before it reaches your engine? If your gas cap is leaking, you’re losing money — and contributing to air pollution. This month, drivers across the region have a chance to get their gas caps tested for free.
Gas-cap testing uses a special device to determine if a vehicle’s gas cap is sealing effectively. A leaky cap lets fuel evaporate, wasting gas and polluting the air. Replacing a leaky gas cap for less than $20 could save a driver as much as gallon of gas every 15 days. The gas-cap test takes less than 30 seconds.
Testing events begin Thursday morning as part of Air Quality Awareness Week, which runs May 2–6. The Mid-America Regional Council Air Quality Program is conducting the tests in cooperation with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, The JO and Johnson County Kansas Environmental Department.
Testing will take place at seven park-and-ride lots in the Northland, and at several government facilities in Johnson County. To participate in the Northland events:
- On Wednesday, May 4, park your vehicle in any of the following Northland park-and-ride lots between 9:30 a.m.–noon:
- Liberty park and ride, Mississippi and Prairie
- Liberty park and ride, Conistor at Highway 152
- Antioch Shopping Center, N.E. Vivion and N.E. Antioch roads
- Boardwalk Square MetroCenter, I-29 and Barry Road
- Metro North shopping center, 400 N.W. Barry Road
- Englewood shopping center, N.W. Englewood Road and N. Broadway Avenue
- Kmart, 72nd and Prairie View
- Fliers that describe the gas-cap testing process will be placed on the windshields of all cars parked in these lots on Wednesday morning.
- On Thursday, May 5, leave the flier you received the day before on your windshield to indicate that you want your gas cap tested. Your gas cap will be tested sometime between 8:30 and 11 a.m. Drivers do not need to be present for the test.
Drivers whose gas caps fail the test will receive a voucher for a new gas cap at a reduced cost. Drivers who are not able to park in an eligible lot on May 4 to receive can download the flier requesting the gas-cap test at www.marc.org/Environment/airQ/clinics.asp.
Two additional gas-cap testing events will be conducted at government facilities in Johnson County:
- May 6, 9 a.m.–noon: 782 N. Ridgeview Dr., Olathe, Kan.
- May 24, 9 a.m.–noon: 6000 Lamar park and ride, Mission, Kan.
A full list and map of the testing events can be found online at www.marc.org/Environment/airQ/clinics.asp.