Ford is helping thousands of customers save time and keep their hands clean at the fuel pump.

The Easy Fuel™ capless fuel-filler system is a Ford-exclusive feature that uses an integrated spring-loaded flapper door to eliminate the need for a fuel tank screw cap. That means no more fumbling to remove and tighten the cap and less fuel odor on customers’ hands or gloves when they’re at the pump.

These are just two of the reasons behind Ford’s decision to offer Easy Fuel as standard equipment across the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury product lineups, according to Pamela Wylie, Ford technology planning manager. Easy Fuel launched on the 2008 Ford Explorer and will be joined by the all-new 2009 Ford Flex, Ford F-150 and Lincoln MKS this summer.

With Easy Fuel, the spring-loaded flapper door is held closed by two latches that can only be released by a standard-size unleaded fuel nozzle. When the proper nozzle is inserted into the filler neck of the system, the latches release, and the nozzle pushes the spring-loaded flapper door to the open position. When the nozzle is removed, the flapper door automatically is forced closed by the spring.

The fuel filler pipe is then completely sealed, which prevents fuel vapors from escaping and helps reduce evaporative emissions.