Which side is the fuel filler on? This little dashboard arrow tells you

One of the most awkward moments when driving a new or unfamiliar car is pulling into a petrol station, only to realise that the fuel filler is on the other side. You either have to awkwardly reposition the car or stretch the fuel hose across the vehicle.

Thankfully, there is a simple little trick that can tell you which side the fuel filler is on — without even getting out of the car.

Look for the arrow beside the fuel gauge

Next time you are behind the wheel, take a look at the fuel gauge on the instrument cluster.

Beside the fuel-pump icon, you will usually find a small arrow pointing either left or right:

• Arrow pointing left: The fuel filler is on the left side of the car.
• Arrow pointing right: The fuel filler is on the right side.

It is now a familiar feature on modern cars, but this handy indicator was not always there. The design only became common from the 1990s onwards, so if you happen to be driving a car from the 1960s, unfortunately, you will have to work it out the old-fashioned way.

For most modern cars, though, a quick glance at the dashboard before pulling into the petrol station is all it takes.

A few tips for Malaysian petrol stations

With petrol stations all over Malaysia, this trick can come in handy when you are choosing a lane at a busy station.

Pick the right lane: Some busy petrol stations can have fairly tight spaces around the pumps. Knowing where the fuel filler is makes it easier to line up the car correctly and avoid having to reposition.

Self-service fuelling: More petrol stations are offering self-service and card-payment options, so getting the car positioned correctly can make the whole process quicker and easier.

So, have you ever pulled into a petrol station only to realise you stopped on the wrong side?

Next time, just check the little arrow first.