How to Find the Gas Tank on a Rental Car

Everyone I know has had this experience. You jump into that new or rental car for the first time with the intention of getting gas, but you never think to pay attention to which side of the car the gas tank is on. Then you pull up to the gas station and realize that you have no idea which side of your car should face the gas pump. You have to make a decision: do you think the gas tank is more likely on the right side of the car or the left? Then you park the car, jump out, and determine whether or not you guessed correctly.

Inevitably, at least in my experience, I always guess wrong. I then have to get back in the car, turn it back on, and attempt to maneuver my car so that the gas pump faces the opposite side. If the gas station isn't busy, then this more embarrassing than anything. However, if you waited in line for five minutes to get your place at the gas pump, turning your car around can become an ordeal.

Here's something that most people don't know that everyone should know: you can tell which side of the car that the gas tank is on from inside the car. I drove for nearly ten years before I was clued in to this little trick. There are two different ways that car manufacturers clarify the side of the car that the gas tank is on. Both ways are located on the gas gauge.

Some cars have a little arrow somewhere on their gas gauge that points to the side of the car that the gas tank is on. While this seems obvious enough, most people are so bombarded by all of the symbols and information located on their dash that they never even notice it, and, if they do, they aren't sure why it's there. The next time you're in a rental car and you need gas, look for the little arrow. It will point you in the right direction.

Other cars have a little gas pump decal on their gas gauge. I always assumed that the purpose of this decal was simply to signify that that particular gauge measured the amount of gas in your tank. However, this clever little decal also tells you which side of the car that your gas tank is on. Pay close attention to which side of the decal that the gas hose is on. If it's on the right side of the pump, then your gas tank is located on the right of the car. If it's on the left, you'll want to park your car so that the gas pump faces the left. This works every time.

I hope this little bit of knowledge saves you some time and embarrassment next time you're at the gas station with an unfamiliar car. It's something I wish I would have known much sooner in life.