Why, oh why? C-Class Question
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Buick Park Avenue Ultra
Why, oh why? C-Class Question
Something I've always wondered...
Why is the gas cap on the passenger side of the car (on both the coupe and sedan), instead of on the driver's side?
Wouldn't it make more sense to have it on the driver's side?
Tim
Why is the gas cap on the passenger side of the car (on both the coupe and sedan), instead of on the driver's side?
Wouldn't it make more sense to have it on the driver's side?
Tim
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
While I was in Amsterdam I noticed they have some gas stations where the pumps are at curb side. You pull into a pocket cut out in the sidewalk and pump away. At $5 a gallon I expect them to deliver it to my car while I'm not using it like they do personal aircraft at the airport.
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I've been told that the gas caps are on the passenger side because there is an equal chance of getting t-boned one side over the other, but there's an additional chance of getting side-swiped in an accident on the Driver's side, too.
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
It is my understanding that gas cap placement goes back to the days of full service stations. Cars usually had it on the opposite side of the driver so the fumes would not bother the driver. But as 'economy' cars came out in the 70's and people starting pumping their own gas at economy no-service gas stations, they started putting the fuel lid on the driver side.
The result is that cars with gas cap on the driver side are usually economy cars where the driver is expected to pump their own gas. Fancier cars where the driver is more likely to use full service have the gas cap on the passenger side.
Guess the MB is a fancier car.
The result is that cars with gas cap on the driver side are usually economy cars where the driver is expected to pump their own gas. Fancier cars where the driver is more likely to use full service have the gas cap on the passenger side.
Guess the MB is a fancier car.
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Buellwinkel has the correct answer. Flashman, American cars (and pick-ups) have almost aways had the gas filler on the left, execpt when they got the bright idea of hiding it behind the license plate. Of all the American cars in my family going back to a 1951 Chevy, all have had the fillers on the left, except the ones having it behind the plate. All of the foreign cars (Opel, Fiat, Triumph, SAAB, Datsun and Mercedes) have had it on the right.
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From: Corona, CA
2001 C320
Re: Why, oh why? C-Class Question
Originally posted by timorgan
Why is the gas cap on the passenger side of the car (on both the coupe and sedan), instead of on the driver's side?
Wouldn't it make more sense to have it on the driver's side?
Tim
Why is the gas cap on the passenger side of the car (on both the coupe and sedan), instead of on the driver's side?
Wouldn't it make more sense to have it on the driver's side?
Tim
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Re: gas cap
Originally posted by BlackC230Coupe
my jaguar XK8's gas cap is on the driver side.
my jaguar XK8's gas cap is on the driver side.
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
C200 Kompressor
Re: gas cap
Originally posted by BlackC230Coupe
my jaguar XK8's gas cap is on the driver side.
my jaguar XK8's gas cap is on the driver side.
. So in its "original" setup, your Jag (with steering-wheel to the right) has the gas cap on the passenger side...
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Buick Park Avenue Ultra
My parents new Park Avenue has it on the drivers side, and on their last Park Avenue it was hidden behind the license plate.
Can't get much more American than a Buick!
I'd find it annoying to walk around to the other side of the car every time I want to pump gas.
Tim
Can't get much more American than a Buick!
I'd find it annoying to walk around to the other side of the car every time I want to pump gas.
Tim
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From: Ashburn, VA
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
I had a car once with the gas cap on the driver's side. On one occasion I hit the concrete pedestal the pump was installed on when I opened the door. Wouldn't have been the case if the fuel door were on the opposite side.
On a general note... Damn, 5 more feet to walk around the car is such an unbearably long distance...
On a general note... Damn, 5 more feet to walk around the car is such an unbearably long distance...
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
C200 Kompressor
It was better in the old days. On the original VW Beetle, I think you had gas-caps on both sides and those were located in front, probably reachable from the driver's/passenger's seat... 
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
Originally posted by Lynn
Buellwinkel has the correct answer. Flashman, American cars (and pick-ups) have almost aways had the gas filler on the left, execpt when they got the bright idea of hiding it behind the license plate. Of all the American cars in my family going back to a 1951 Chevy, all have had the fillers on the left, except the ones having it behind the plate. All of the foreign cars (Opel, Fiat, Triumph, SAAB, Datsun and Mercedes) have had it on the right.
Buellwinkel has the correct answer. Flashman, American cars (and pick-ups) have almost aways had the gas filler on the left, execpt when they got the bright idea of hiding it behind the license plate. Of all the American cars in my family going back to a 1951 Chevy, all have had the fillers on the left, except the ones having it behind the plate. All of the foreign cars (Opel, Fiat, Triumph, SAAB, Datsun and Mercedes) have had it on the right.
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From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
I've noticed that it's been easier to find an available pump at my busy gas station because most people are waiting for an empty pump on the right side of their car. Seems people would rather wait than turn their car around and back-in on the other side of the pump. Their loss = my gain...
Not to restart the great "gas cap holder debate" but.....mine fits in the wire holder fine.
i can't stand the fact that it doesn't fit in the holder..
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Buick Park Avenue Ultra
Ahoy, matey!
Originally posted by vadim
I had a car once with the gas cap on the driver's side. On one occasion I hit the concrete pedestal the pump was installed on when I opened the door. Wouldn't have been the case if the fuel door were on the opposite side.
On a general note... Damn, 5 more feet to walk around the car is such an unbearably long distance...
I had a car once with the gas cap on the driver's side. On one occasion I hit the concrete pedestal the pump was installed on when I opened the door. Wouldn't have been the case if the fuel door were on the opposite side.
On a general note... Damn, 5 more feet to walk around the car is such an unbearably long distance...
Originally posted by benzomonterey
The epitomy of lazy?
The epitomy of lazy?
It just seems like one of those no-brainer things where it'd seem to make more sense to put it on the driver's side. But, if people are correct with the accident prone answers, then I can see why.
Thanks,
Tim
