Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Learn something new every day

I just had one of those moments where I questioned my intelligence or at least my skill of observation.

I have been a traveler for business for nearly 20 years and for most of my career I have been in automotive yet I only just learned something new about cars that you might find funny.  For sure this knowledge would have been useful these many years. 

Before getting to this new gem, let me quickly describe my typical car rental return: 
  • I am usually late for a flight
  • I did not select the "pre pay fuel" option
  • I usually know where a nearby gas station is
  • I almost always pull into a gas station with my car door open and my neck straining to see which side of the car the fuel tank access is on
  • I pick wrong about 30% of the time. . . which usually means turning the car around
Please tell me I am not the only one that can't figure out which side of the car to offer up to the fuel pump?  Please?

Dan Brown would scoff and my inability to recognize the symbolism on the typical fuel guage in the typical car. (see below)



When did car manufacturers add in that little arrow?  Why wasn't it highlighted in drivers ed?  Why have I missed it all of these years?  Wow!  I feel really dumb.

3 comments:

  1. Wow I have always missed this too.
    Totally frustrating having to move the car after you have already pulled up to the pump, removed the nozzle and started looking for the gas cap.
    This little gem will save me a lot of time.

    DK

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  2. Sorry Andrew--automakers have been doing this for a long time now. I wouldn't fault you though. It *is* subtle. But on the bright side, being an icon, it's just as unobvious in 35 languages.

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  3. Personally, I *always* remember what side the gas cap is on. But, then again, I'm an automotive monogamist -- been driving the same car since 2001. If I were driving rentals, that little arrow would come in handy.

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