A Reddit user sparked a debate after asking about the purpose of a common dashboard symbol: the fuel pump icon with an arrow pointing left or right. The question drew a range of answers, showing how many drivers were unsure of its true function.
What the arrow actually means
The fuel pump icon lights up on most cars' dashboards when the vehicle is low in petrol or diesel. However, a tiny arrow beside it indicates to drivers which side of the car their fuel flap is on, saving them from having to move at the petrol station.
One person replied to the Reddit post: "It's actually miles until empty." A second user gave the correct answer: "The arrow indicates which side the fuel flap is for refilling (just so people know if driving a car they don't regularly drive)."
Drivers react to the revelation
A third echoed: "I always thought the arrow next to the fuel gauge pointed towards the fuel filler cap - as a reminder which side as you're pulling in to refuel." A fourth replied: "Are you joking me? Been driving 14 years and never made this connection." A fifth commented: "I had no idea that's what this meant."
A recent survey revealed that 29 per cent of people admitted they have no idea what the symbol means, and around 4.9 million drivers have driven up to the petrol pump only to forget which side they should be filling up at.
The symbol's 1986 origin
This symbol, invented in 1986, is a handy feature for those who want to avoid pulling up on the wrong side of the fuel pumps, particularly when in a hurry. The idea was conceived by Ford engineer Jim Moylan, who was inspired by his own experience of getting soaked in the rain while trying to locate the fuel cap.
