Fuel Filler side - pattern?
Discussion
Some are on the left, some are on the right I was wondering if there is a reason why they aren't on the same side for every car?
Is it that the country of manufacture will put the filler cap on the driver's side? Or is it purely a 50:50 split across all manufacturers so both sides of the pump can be used equally?
Is it that the country of manufacture will put the filler cap on the driver's side? Or is it purely a 50:50 split across all manufacturers so both sides of the pump can be used equally?
Edited by Vantagefan on Wednesday 23 May 13:43
Edited by Vantagefan on Wednesday 23 May 13:43
I reckon it could be due to being able to fill up from the pavement in the car's native country.
For example:
my Volkswagen Passat, Germany drive on the right, so the cap is on the right. Hannah's Hyundai, Korea drive on the left, so the cap is on the left. My Triumph, obviously we drive on the left, so again the cap is on the left.
However, the Triumph 2000 ESTATE has the cap on the right.
I think generally though, you are right.
For example:
my Volkswagen Passat, Germany drive on the right, so the cap is on the right. Hannah's Hyundai, Korea drive on the left, so the cap is on the left. My Triumph, obviously we drive on the left, so again the cap is on the left.
However, the Triumph 2000 ESTATE has the cap on the right.
I think generally though, you are right.
Triumph Man said:
I reckon it could be due to being able to fill up from the pavement in the car's native country.
For example:
my Volkswagen Passat, Germany drive on the right, so the cap is on the right. Hannah's Hyundai, Korea drive on the left, so the cap is on the left. My Triumph, obviously we drive on the left, so again the cap is on the left.
However, the Triumph 2000 ESTATE has the cap on the right.
I think generally though, you are right.
The Peugeot 3008 and 5008 have the filler caps on opposite sides, as does the Saab 99 saloon and hatch. So no pattern there.For example:
my Volkswagen Passat, Germany drive on the right, so the cap is on the right. Hannah's Hyundai, Korea drive on the left, so the cap is on the left. My Triumph, obviously we drive on the left, so again the cap is on the left.
However, the Triumph 2000 ESTATE has the cap on the right.
I think generally though, you are right.
I am led to believe the filler cap is generally on the opposite side from the exhaust. My wife's 3 series is on the driver's side but the exhaust exits on the passenger side. My Caddy van is the opposite way around. This is to eliminate a fire risk from spilling fuel onto a hot exhaust.
Most cars are like this with the exception of twin exhausts, then its a lottery.
Most cars are like this with the exception of twin exhausts, then its a lottery.
AlexS said:
Triumph Man said:
I reckon it could be due to being able to fill up from the pavement in the car's native country.
For example:
my Volkswagen Passat, Germany drive on the right, so the cap is on the right. Hannah's Hyundai, Korea drive on the left, so the cap is on the left. My Triumph, obviously we drive on the left, so again the cap is on the left.
However, the Triumph 2000 ESTATE has the cap on the right.
I think generally though, you are right.
The Peugeot 3008 and 5008 have the filler caps on opposite sides, as does the Saab 99 saloon and hatch. So no pattern there.For example:
my Volkswagen Passat, Germany drive on the right, so the cap is on the right. Hannah's Hyundai, Korea drive on the left, so the cap is on the left. My Triumph, obviously we drive on the left, so again the cap is on the left.
However, the Triumph 2000 ESTATE has the cap on the right.
I think generally though, you are right.
In Japan, they used to have fuel pumps on the side of the road, that a Japanese guy would run out and fill up your car for you, and you can then drive off without getting out. As they drive on the correct side of the road also, then this is why they're all on the left hand side of the cars. Which is best to be consistent.
Slightly off topic, but I also love the fact the indicators are on the right-hand side, makes much more sense than the left. I miss that now having a UKDM rather than JDM car
Slightly off topic, but I also love the fact the indicators are on the right-hand side, makes much more sense than the left. I miss that now having a UKDM rather than JDM car
Riknos said:
In Japan, they used to have fuel pumps on the side of the road, that a Japanese guy would run out and fill up your car for you, and you can then drive off without getting out. As they drive on the correct side of the road also, then this is why they're all on the left hand side of the cars. Which is best to be consistent.
Slightly off topic, but I also love the fact the indicators are on the right-hand side, makes much more sense than the left. I miss that now having a UKDM rather than JDM car
Except my JDM car has it's filler on the right Slightly off topic, but I also love the fact the indicators are on the right-hand side, makes much more sense than the left. I miss that now having a UKDM rather than JDM car
It seems that the filler cap is on the passenger side in the country where the manufacturer is from. I noticed recently though that some cars started to buck the trend.
BTW, have you noticed that only a very small minority of cars have the stereo volume control on the right, even Japanese cars? The Lexus RX is the only exception I can find, even in the aftermarket.
BTW, have you noticed that only a very small minority of cars have the stereo volume control on the right, even Japanese cars? The Lexus RX is the only exception I can find, even in the aftermarket.
jr502 said:
Riknos said:
In Japan, they used to have fuel pumps on the side of the road, that a Japanese guy would run out and fill up your car for you, and you can then drive off without getting out. As they drive on the correct side of the road also, then this is why they're all on the left hand side of the cars. Which is best to be consistent.
Slightly off topic, but I also love the fact the indicators are on the right-hand side, makes much more sense than the left. I miss that now having a UKDM rather than JDM car
Except my JDM car has it's filler on the right Slightly off topic, but I also love the fact the indicators are on the right-hand side, makes much more sense than the left. I miss that now having a UKDM rather than JDM car
Yes, I think it is the exhaust is usually directed towards the middle, so all of the hot pipework will be down one side, and the filler cap is placed on the opposite side so the neck is away from the heat.
Both systems of exhaust gasses away from the pavement, and refueling from the pavement make it a decent way to do it.
Both systems of exhaust gasses away from the pavement, and refueling from the pavement make it a decent way to do it.
Triumph Man said:
I reckon it could be due to being able to fill up from the pavement in the car's native country.
For example:
Hannah's Hyundai, Korea drive on the left, so the cap is on the left
FYI: Korea has driven on the right since the end of WWII.For example:
Hannah's Hyundai, Korea drive on the left, so the cap is on the left
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-hand_drive#Kore...
Edited by MadmanO/T People on Wednesday 23 May 15:30
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