The tiny arrow beside the fuel gauge
Look at the fuel gauge on the dashboard for a small arrow or triangle beside the fuel-pump symbol. It points toward the side of the car where the fuel door is. If it points left, pull up beside the pump with the driver’s side facing it; if it points right, use the passenger side.
The mark is easy to miss because it is usually built into the gauge rather than displayed as a separate warning. It works as a quick location cue, so you don’t have to remember which side the tank opening was on—or get out and check.
Why it helps in a rental
Fuel doors aren’t placed on the same side in every car. Their position depends on the vehicle’s design, and the outside of a rental may give you few clues. The dashboard indicator stays in view while you maneuver, turning a detail you might otherwise have to discover at the pump into a glance-and-go decision.
When you’re low on fuel, check the small mark next to the pump icon before choosing a spot. That tiny arrow can save you from pulling up on the wrong side and having to circle the station.
