Why is it that the gas fill is not on the same side on all cars,(like the steering wheel)?

Question

Why is it that the gas fill is not on the same side on all cars,(like the steering wheel)?

Answer 1

When auto makers design a car they have to put the filler neck where it can make a non obstructed path to the fuel tank, they do this in ways that make the car pleasing to the eye but are still functional.

Answer 2

It's about a safety reason.  If a car has a muffler pipe coming out under the right rear bumper, then gas filler is on the left side, and vice versa.  Have you ever noticed this before? This design also keeps exhauste system away from the gas pump.   Exhauste pipe is very hot.  If for some reasons while filling up the tank, you spilled gas on the pipe it might and could lead to an explosion.

Answer 3

Designers, engineers, cars, frames and safety.

Answer 4

It goes where it fits easiest. No standard rule.

Answer 5

on cars that are originally made in a country that drives on the road the opposite way we drive the steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car. so you fill the gas tank up on that side. i have a 94 240sx and thats how it is. they just dont change the sheet metal or in some cases just import the entire car and change the dash and move the steering column over and all that good stuff.

Answer 6

It is just style, it has everything to do with the location of frame member, and the fuel tank, and has absolutely nothing to do with original country or any c**p like that.  My car is a Ford Escort, made here, my fill is on the driver side.  My wife's car is a Chev Cavalier, made here, and the fill is on the passenger side.  Every station has two sides to the pump islands, and the newer stations have long enough hoses to reach across anyway, so who cares, except the people so stupid they forget where the fill is and drive the wrong way into a station.  In 42 years of driving, it has never been a problem for me.

Answer 7

So you can blow yourself up.