The small arrow next to the fuel pump icon on your dashboard indicates which side of your vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
This is a common feature on most modern vehicles designed to help drivers quickly identify the location of their gas tank. When you are at a gas station, especially in an unfamiliar car like a rental or a newly purchased model, simply look for the fuel pump symbol. A small triangle or arrow pointing left or right will be positioned next to it, directly showing you which side of the car to pull up to the pump on. This saves you from guessing or having to circle the pump unnecessarily.
The presence and exact appearance of this indicator can vary slightly between different car manufacturers and models.
Can I rely on the fuel door arrow to always be correct?
Yes, the fuel door arrow is a standard design feature and is generally reliable for indicating the fuel filler door's location. Manufacturers include this to provide a consistent and helpful cue for drivers. While extremely rare manufacturing defects could occur, for all practical purposes, you can trust this indicator to accurately show which side of your vehicle the fuel door is on. It's a universal convention used across many car brands.