thread108-99861: Fuel Filler door
FMCSR 393.65 states "Fuel spilled vertically from a fuel tank while it is being filled will not contact any part of the exhaust..."

Having the filler on the opposite side of the exhaust guarantees this but is not the only solution.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=393.65

Plenty of ways to keep spilled fuel off the exhaust besides putting the filler on the opposite side. So many cars with dual exhaust these days anyway.

I still prefer it on the drivers side. A lot easier to position the car beside the pump, particularly is you have to back in and your car has big blind spots. You do have to look out for the dam# barricades they erect around the pumps to keep them safe from Volvo drivers.

Newer cars in the US have an arrow by the fuel gauge telling you which side the filler is on. Not sure if it is a law but it sure is handy when you're driving a rental and have to fill it up before catching that flight in 45 minutes.

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If all cars had the filler on the same side it would contribute to filling station congestion. And speaking of gas lines, I thought hiding the filler behind the license plate in the '70s was an aesthetically (if not HSE) clever solution.

"Newer cars in the US have an arrow by the fuel gauge"

Would be nice, but it's not on mine, which I bought last year, and the one just before it in 2010 model year.

Actually, I prefer it being on the odd side, as there are usually bigger lines for the driver-side pumps.

Your enthusiasm is admirable, but you're posting a response to an 8-yr old thread

TTFN
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Quote (drwebb)

If all cars had the filler on the same side it would contribute to filling station congestion. And speaking of gas lines, I thought hiding the filler behind the license plate in the '70s was an aesthetically (if not HSE) clever solution.

Actually it would decrease congestion since there would never be the current situation with cars pulling in head to head. And you can still get to either side of the pump, just drive around.

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Why not do it like the old Model A my mom had - right in the center just behind the engine and just in front of the firewall. Guess that's why they called it a "firewall".

Glad we never had a serious crash!!

At least on the model A you could pour fuel in out of a bucket if you so desired without it spitting back at you and it never slooshed back out the tank.

I really wonder what was going on in the head of the designer when I have to precisely adjust the nozzle just to get the tank to accept the fuel without spitting back constantly and turning the pump off. Surely the prime function is to accept fuel. A major secondary is that fuel added should stay in the tank.

As to pulling into a bowser, I find an advantage if it is on the passenger side as I can park close and still have plenty of room to open my door. I can judge the width of my car (required for parallel parking) and I do use the passenger side mirror to assist with that.

Regards
Pat
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I'm a fan of the capless tank on my '12 Taurus. It does have the little arrow, btw...perhaps in yours w/o the arrow they put the pump handle on the corresponding side?

Capless tank.

The mind boggles.

Regards
Pat
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Several makers have taken the "central filler" route more recently and most probably Triumph TR6 being the most well known.

Jaguar and Aston-Martin also side stepped the problem with filler points on both sides of the car for some of their models.

Added costs and complexity but made finding a suitable pump much easier.

Peter.

for you, Pat:

OK

So it's got a self closing valve to cap it off.

Regards
Pat
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Will wonders never cease.

That will be fun when it stops working.

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No, recent Fords don't even have a self-closing valve.

What they have is a fairly soft flat rubber gasket attached to the inside of the fuel door, so closing the door gently caps the filler neck. ... provided the bodywork hasn't been bent.

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

My two '12 fords are like the picture, but with different paint colors.

No cap would knock 10 seconds a month off my filling time. I guess it means you don't get fuel on your hands though ... assuming everyone has the system.

- Steve