# L vs R side for gas cap on cars in US **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 1, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421 "2009-01-01T00:21:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/21 "2009-01-01T03:42:56Z")
If they were standardized on the right, then it would be more reasonable to implement the excellent [gas-pumps-on-the-curb](http://www.flickr.com/photos/12556474@N03/3115434783/sizes/l/) practice that seems to work well in Europe. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/22 "2009-01-01T04:31:43Z")
> [@FarmerChick](#): > > Interesting little fact, you know on the gas gauge, when you see the little pump? Whichever side of the gauge it is on, that’s the side of the car your gas cap is on. (Damn, did that make sense?) Ah, no. Look at the gas gauge. There is an arrow on the left or right side within the gauge pointing which side the gas cap is located. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/23 "2009-01-01T05:27:21Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > The irony, of course, is that when the Pinto was designed, it was going to have a foam filled tanks and airbags, so it would have been quite safe. Ford, however, figured that it’d be cheaper to pay lawsuits than to actually build the cars that way. **As it turned out, Ford didn’t have to pay anything out, as they won their cases**. (The SNL Weekend Update segment where Ralph Nader rants about this is pretty hysterical, even if you think Nader’s a total nutjob.) Bolding added to highlight an **incorrect statement**. Ford was acquitted of criminal charges; there were several lawsuits that resulted in findings of product liability with attendant damages. One of them is a well known Remedies case from Law School (_Grimshaw v. Ford Motor Co._). ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/24 "2009-01-01T05:52:49Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Bolding added to highlight an **incorrect statement**. > > Ford was acquitted of criminal charges; there were several lawsuits that resulted in findings of product liability with attendant damages. One of them is a well known Remedies case from Law School (_Grimshaw v. Ford Motor Co._). Gerry Spence, who represented some of the victims, stated in one of his books that Ford _didn’t_ have to pay out. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/25 "2009-01-01T05:57:32Z")
> [@Trocisp](#): > > It’s to mess with our heads. If you really want to mess with people’s heads, drive a [Trabant](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Trabant_Engine_Block.jpg/800px-Trabant_Engine_Block.jpg). :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/26 "2009-01-01T05:57:48Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > Gerry Spence, who represented some of the victims, stated in one of his books that Ford _didn’t_ have to pay out. From Wikipedia, admittedly not the _best_ of sources… The most famous Ford Pinto product liability case resulted in a judicial opinion that is a staple of remedies courses in American law schools. In 1981 in Grimshaw v. Ford Motor Co.,[8] the California Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District reviewed Ford’s conduct, and upheld compensatory damages of $2.5 million ($5.92 million today) and punitive damages of $3.5 million ($8.29 million today) against Ford. It also upheld the judge’s reduction of the punitive damages from the jury’s original verdict of $125 million ($296 million today). Of the two plaintiffs, one was killed in the collision that caused her Pinto to explode, and her passenger, 13-year old Richard Grimshaw, was badly burned and scarred for life. > **[Ford Pinto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Pinto)** > > The Ford Pinto is a subcompact car that was manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company in North America from 1970 until 1980. The Pinto was the first subcompact vehicle produced by Ford in North America. > The Pinto was marketed in three body styles across its production: a two-door fastback sedan with a trunk, a three-door hatchback, and a two-door station wagon. Mercury offered rebadged versions of the Pinto as the Mercury Bobcat from 1975 until 1980 (1974–1980 in Canada). Over three mi... ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/27 "2009-01-01T06:15:50Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > If you really want to mess with people’s heads, drive a [Trabant](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Trabant_Engine_Block.jpg/800px-Trabant_Engine_Block.jpg). :eek: …a Trabant [limo](http://jo.zan.hu/poen/pictures/pictures_5/tn/trabant_limo_4_jo.zan.hu.jpg.html). ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/28 "2009-01-01T06:49:48Z")
Great picture, but the thread’s about the location of fuel caps (look at my picture again) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/29 "2009-01-01T07:05:56Z")
As a gas jockey back in college - late 60s - it was a challenge to find some of the filler caps. The swing out tail light was on a number of models if my fading memory serves me. It used to piss off the drivers when I found it right away. Another good one was the old VW bugs that had the filler in the trunk (under the hood). Another bit of nostalgia; we were in a gas war locally for a good while and regular was typically $0.25 per gallon and premium at $0.27. This was at Central Markets (Golub) in the Albany, NY area. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/30 "2009-01-01T07:36:24Z")
One time In Oklahoma when I was 16, I bought Ethyl for 13¢ during a price war. 😃 the good old days… I ran all week on less than $5. (And I ran a lot.) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/31 "2009-01-01T08:06:44Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > If you really want to mess with people’s heads, drive a [Trabant](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Trabant_Engine_Block.jpg/800px-Trabant_Engine_Block.jpg). :eek: The operative word, of course, being “drive”, which you’d do in 15-minute increments between repairs. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/32 "2009-01-01T09:04:50Z")
> [@](#): > > Having the gas filler behind he rear license plate is more dangerous in the event of a rear collision. My father had a leg badly broken while filling a car of his that had the filler behind the license plate; some guy pulled up behind him and his brakes picked that very moment to fail. I used to love the 1956 Chevrolet; their filler cap was under the left rear tail lamp, secured with a latch to keep the tail light in position. If the latch was bent or really gunked up, it was hell to get the thing open. It’s strange but I don’t remember the 57 Chevy having that feature. Some of the cars back then presented a real challenge in locating the filler cap. And the VW bugs I used to work on had the gas tank situated directly in front of the passenger compartment—sort of the ultimate in safety since a front end collision could easily park the gas tank in the front seat. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/33 "2009-01-01T12:29:59Z")
Early on, gas pumps were at the curb and all cars had their filler on the right. Even by 1950 there were still a few like that, but they were going fast. In 1968, when I moved to Montreal, there was one curbside pump a couple blocks from where I lived. But it was basically a one-man repair shop and the owner must have felt the interruptions were too annoying and it soon disappeared. Given the number of times I drive up and find the pumps all occupied on their right side and empty on the left, I would imagine that a large majority have left hand fillers and therefore I would prefer to have it on the right. ---
**Author:** ![FarmerChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@FarmerChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChick)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/34 "2009-01-01T14:27:47Z")
> [@74westy](#): > > Unfortunately [snopes](http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/icon.asp) won’t back you up. > > I’ve always thought the proper place for tank filler was inside the[left rear tail fin](http://www.worldofstock.com/closeups/TRC4160.php) but maybe Tuckerfan knows of a better hidden location in the left rear fender. Well hell. I shall shut up now. :smack: (But so far it has always worked for me :D) ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/35 "2009-01-01T15:43:06Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Ah, no. Look at the gas gauge. There is an arrow on the left or right side within the gauge pointing which side the gas cap is located. Again, not always. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/36 "2009-01-01T16:29:50Z")
Gas cap location is a collaboration of stylists and designers. Once the general car concept is approved the designers try and find the easiest and cheapest way to bring it to market. Convenience and standardization are not factors. You have a lot of stuff to squeeze into a given area. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/37 "2009-01-01T17:09:03Z")
Long ago, I used to drive a '64 International Scout. It had a filler cap on each side. Unfortunately, each filled a separate tank. There was a valve underneath the seat to switch tanks, and a switch under the gas gauge to change the tank it was measuring. There’s an obvious flaw with that system. If some modern day manufacturer wanted to go to the extra expense, though, I imagine they could probably put two filler necks on the tank, one on each side. Given the other crap they stick on cars, that might actually be a practical addition, and it would be nice to be able to pull up to either side of the gas pump, rather than participating in demented gas station minuets. I drove cars with the cap under the plate, too. That works, but it won’t pass safety standards these days, and you had to bend over to fill the tank. It also put the filler neck too low wrt to the gas tank. I had a '65 Pontiac that would dribble gas when you parked pointing uphill with a full tank. Of course, I owned it in an era when I didn’t like to gas it up unless I could get 3 gallons for my dollar … Occasionally, you see stations advertising “long hoses, pull up on either side”. Ain’t that convenient to wrestle the damned spring-loaded hose around your car, though. I’ve seen a few stations that have the hose hanging from an overhead boom that you can pivot to reach either side of the car. I wish there were more of those. I suppose it hasn’t caught on because it costs too much. ---
**Author:** ![BJMoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@BJMoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BJMoose)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/38 "2009-01-01T17:11:13Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > After the Pinto Car-B-Que disaster, I doubt you will ever see a rear mounted filler neck from any car maker that sells in this country. Regardless of how the tank and filler neck are constructed, this arrangement would have lawyers drooling in anticipation. For the record, it should be pointed out that the filler line on the Pinto was located on the left side, not the rear. I owned a '75 Pinto, and lemme tell ya, I rather enjoyed the fact that no one would tailgate me! ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/39 "2009-01-01T18:03:38Z")
The fuel cap used to be in the back under the rear license plate. I remember when they started to make cars with the cap on the side. At that time, I asked my parents why some are on different sides, and here’s what they told me (no idea whether it’s factual). Their explanation was that car companies intentionally made some on different sides because that way, when cars drive into a gas station, they aren’t all trying to line up in the same line at the gas pump, i.e. assuming there is one entrance to the gas station, there is more choice for the drivers as to which pump to use. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421/40 "2009-01-01T19:18:15Z")
I don’t think auto makers think about that much. It is the whim of the design team. IMO. Bawahahaha [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/l-vs-r-side-for-gas-cap-on-cars-in-us/479421.md?page=3)