Still not accurate in my experience. My '89 Carat which I have had since new
uses the same key for both the ignition and the gas cap. There is no
separate gas key supplied.  Owners manual indicates this is the way it was
designed.

----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Sandlin <ssandlin@LCC.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2000 7:14 PM
Subject: Vanagon gas cap keys--more information

> Since I posted the key information, several people have emailed saying
their
> ignition key also opens the gas cap.  Here's the story.  The body of the
gas
> cap is plastic.  After a few years, the wafers in the lock wear grooves in
> the plastic body.  In reality, most any thing that will fit in the key
slot
> will then turn the lock.  There is no way to repair the caps.  Once they
are
> together they cannot be disassembled.  Hope this explains.
> Steve Sandlin
> www.steveslockshop.com
> '84 Wolfsburg Westy
> '79 Transporter
> '00 New Beetle