Why is the fuel tank lid on the left side of Japanese cars?

(Photo Credit: Freepik)

Have you ever noticed that Japanese cars always have the fuel tank lid on the left side?

If you look closely, you will see that most Japanese cars have the fuel tank lid on the left side, while European ones have it on the right. Do you know why?

Normally, car manufacturers install the fuel tank lid on the opposite side of the driver. This means that left-hand-drive cars have it on the right, and right-hand-drive cars would have it on the left. 

The main reason for this approach is safety. For example, if a car catches fire while refuelling at a gas station, the driver will be able to escape from the car easily and reduce the chance of injury. This is because the driver would be further away from the flames. 

There are other reasons for the different placement of the fuel tank lid as well. For example, it can make it easier to access the fuel tank when filling up the car, and it can also help to improve the car’s weight distribution.

Ultimately, the decision of where to place the fuel tank lid is up to the car manufacturer. There are pros and cons to placing the lid on the left or right side, and the manufacturer will choose the option they believe is best for their cars and most drivers. 

(Photo Credit: Freepik)

 Why is the gas tank on the driver’s side of European cars?

Normally, the gas tank is located on the opposite side of the exhaust pipe to reduce the chance of fuel coming into contact with it and causing a fire. However, most European cars originated in countries that use left-hand-drive, and the manufacturers did not move the exhaust pipe, so the gas tank was not moved to the opposite side of the driver. This is why most European cars have the gas tank on the right side.

Knowing which side of your car the gas tank is on will help you know immediately which side of the gas pump you should drive up to. If you go to the wrong side, you will have to waste time turning your car around. 

You can actually easily check which side of your car the gas tank is on by looking at the dashboard. There will be a picture of a gas tank with an arrow next to it. If the arrow points to the left, the gas tank and its fuel lid are on the left side. If the arrow points to the right, the gas tank and its fuel lid are on the right side. 

Read More: Filling the wrong type of fuel for your car could damage your car’s engine! What type of fuel should you use for your car?

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