What is the difference between a car fuel tank on the left and right sides?
2 Answers
Here is an introduction to the differences between a car fuel tank on the left and right sides: 1. Whether the fuel tank is on the left or right side, it is the same, with no difference. Moreover, when refueling, the vehicle can be adjusted, and it is unlikely that refueling would be impossible due to the different positions of the fuel tank. 2. The driving rules in the world are divided into two categories: left-hand traffic and right-hand traffic. In countries with left-hand traffic, the fuel tank opening is generally on the left side. Correspondingly, in countries with right-hand traffic, for the convenience of refueling, the fuel tank is usually positioned on the right side. In countries with left-hand traffic, the driver's cabin is on the right side, while in countries with right-hand traffic, the driver's cabin is on the left side.
I remember once when I rented a car for a self-drive trip in Europe, I was stunned as soon as I pulled into the gas station—the fuel tank cap was actually on the left rear side! My family’s Japanese car had it on the right. Later, a veteran mechanic explained that the fuel tank position is usually opposite to the driver’s seat—for example, left-hand-drive cars often have the tank on the right, making refueling safer by keeping you away from traffic. Gas station designs also vary by country; in Germany, many fuel hoses are short, so having the tank on the left is more convenient. In daily driving, it makes no difference, except you need to remember the tank’s position to avoid awkwardly repositioning the car. I’ve also heard that left/right tank placement affects weight balance, but for everyday driving, the difference is barely noticeable.
