P0455 CODE Evaporative (EVAP) Emission System Large Leak

Keeping an eye on your vehicle guarantees that it will deliver the best performance for maximum time. Moreover, you won’t have to spend much cash on big repair projects as long as you replace the faulty parts as soon as they start to malfunction.

However, it’s quite common to detect a few problems with your car or truck. Fixing these problems as soon as they happen is the right thing to do. Most car drivers are keen on understanding what error codes mean and how to respond when there’s one affecting the performance of the car.

Although not very common, you might encounter code P0455 when you check the engine. Having a P0455 code means that there’s something wrong with your engine and you must act promptly.

What does this code mean? How can it be fixed? Keep on reading to find out.

What is Code P0455?

Code P0455 might appear on several cars and trucks regardless of their models. However, fixing the problem depends on the model you’re working on. In most cases, the cause of the problem and the solution are simple and can be done without professional help.

Once you see the Check Engine lights, you should run a diagnostic test to see what is wrong with your car. The code that appears acts as a guideline that will help you fix the problem as soon as possible.

This code indicates that a large fuel vapor leak has been detected in the EVAP control. The EVAP control system is the evaporative emission control system that prevents the escape of fuel vapors from the fuel system. It’s supposed to keep the toxic fumes contained away from the surrounding air.

These fuel vapors are naturally directed back to a charcoal canister for storage. When the engine starts to work, the purge control valve allows the fuel vapors to flow back into the engine.

When there’s a leak, this cycle will be compromised. You’re unlikely to see any detectable symptoms which are why you won’t detect that there’s something wrong with the EVAP system unless you’re examining it.

Another Troubleshooting Code about Evaporative EVAP Emission System Leak

P0456 CODE: Evaporative (EVAP) Emission System Small Leak


Is It Safe to Drive with a P0455 Code?

The short answer is “Yes”. This leak won’t affect the performance of the car but it has a huge negative impact on the environment. As a matter of fact, your car will be leaking the toxic fumes as long as there’s fuel in the engine, even if you’re not running it.

This means that this code shouldn’t be ignored. If you see P0455 appearing when you check the engine, you should examine all parts of the EVAP system to make sure that it’s working the way it should.


What Are the Symptoms of the P0455 Code?

Although the code is slightly difficult to detect, some telltale signs will help you take the necessary action.

  • The Check Engine light keeps on illuminating. If this happens, then it’s time to give your engine a full check-up to detect any leaks or holes.
  • A slight fuel odor might be noticeable.
  • The gas cap isn’t tightened. If for some reason, the gas cap can’t be tightened, you’ll probably have the P0455 code. This happens because the rubber on the cap that keeps it sealed becomes hard and brittle.

What Should You Do?

Now that you’ve detected the P0455 code, it’s time to take action. Luckily, some of the solutions might be very simple.

  • Fill the car with gas and try to detect if there’s a fuel odor. In most cases, you’ll detect the odor if the code is appearing.
  • Tighten the gas cap. In most cases, the code will appear because the gas cap wasn’t tightened properly. Examine and the cap and see if it needs to be replaced.
  • Make sure that you’re using the original gas cap. Some people might use a gas cap from another brand when it doesn’t properly fit. Replacing the faulty item will probably solve the problem.
  • Clear the codes and replace the gas cap if necessary and drive for a while. Check to see if the codes will reappear.
  • Inspect the EVAP system for any holes or cuts. In most cases, there might be a leak affecting the performance of the EVAP system and causing the code to appear.


While it’s safe to drive with the code, you should always make sure that your EVAP system is working properly. Otherwise, a slight problem might manifest causing internal damage that costs a lot of money to be repaired.



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