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If you should ever pull the lever to open the Prius gas cap door to fill the tank and it does not pop open, there is an easy solution to getting the door open. A second person is not needed to hold the lever while you "tease" the door open. Simply pull the driver's seat belt down from the door pillar and hook it over the gas door lever at the base of the seat. Pull on the seat belt allowing the excess length to retract. The seat belt will then hold the lever up. Any number of objects can be used to gently pry the door open (credit cards, paper clip, the pocket clip from a BIC pen, etc.).
Note that the hinges of the gas door have a lot of friction to movement due to the tight fit of the hinge around the wire pins and paint runs in the hinge joint. Use a light oil to lubricate the hinge and "exercise" the joint to keep it moving freely. This will minimize the amount of spring force required to pop the door open in the first place.
Note that the hinges of the gas door have a lot of friction to movement due to the tight fit of the hinge around the wire pins and paint runs in the hinge joint. Use a light oil to lubricate the hinge and "exercise" the joint to keep it moving freely. This will minimize the amount of spring force required to pop the door open in the first place.