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KTPhil 
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Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35965
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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 Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 8:28 am Post subject: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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From 20 years ago on Car Talk:
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Tim and Jethro's Pump-Side Wager
May 03, 2004
RAY: Tim and Jethro were happy to have their jobs at the new self-serve gas station in town. And, since the Farmer's Almanac had predicted this to be the coldest winter since the last ice age, they were happy to be working indoors, while the customers pumped their own gas.
This station was so modern that it had a video camera for each of the pumps, and a TV monitor that would show the rear of everyone's vehicles as soon as they pulled up to the pumps.
When the boredom of their jobs finally set in, Tim and Jethro began playing a little game. The game involved trying to figure out which customers had pulled up to a pump with the fuel door on the wrong side-- that is, facing away from the pump.
Now, they couldn't see the cars pull in to the gas station. The video cameras were only aimed at the back of the vehicles. So, there was no time during which they could see the side of a vehicle where the fuel door was located. They could only see the vehicle after it was in position to refuel.
They had to make their bets before the driver shut off the key and exited the vehicle-- before he dope slapped himself for pulling in on the wrong side.
Jethro was correct 99 percent of the time. Tim was correct about 50 percent of the time, because he was just guessing.
What did Jethro know that enabled him to tell when a driver had pulled up to the pump with the fuel door facing the wrong way?
Answer:
RAY: Well, it turns out that 99 percent of the time the fuel door is on the opposite side of the car as the tailpipe.
By being able to see the back of the car and seeing the exhaust—don't forget it was wintertime, and you see that exhaust spewing out— Jethro could easily figure it out.
TOM: The one percent might have been cars with two tailpipes.
RAY: There are also some trucks that are exceptions to this rule, but the vast majority of cars have the fuel door on the opposite side of the tailpipe's. Do we have a winner, Tommy?
TOM: Our winner this week is Amos Pareen from Charleston, West Virginia. And for having his answer selected at random from among all the correct answers that we got, Amos gets a $26-dollar gift certificate to the Shameless Commerce Division of Cartalk.com. |
This got me to thinking... old Buses, newer Bugs, all Type 3s, and many Type 4s follow this rule. But why is this so?
A recent photo post showed a gas pump right at the curb, along the sidewalk. I commented that I saw this a lot in photos of old and small towns, where there wasn't a "filling station" but just a pump in front of a garage or store.
So in LHD countries, that curb (and therefore the gas pump) would be on the right side. And to avoid catching the tailpipe on the curb (especially when back into into a parallel park), the tailpipe would be safely on the left.
I am guessing this is why.
(RHD countries are just out of luck)
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Last edited by KTPhil on Tue Mar 11, 2025 11:11 am; edited 2 times in total |
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finster
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 9:16 am Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
So on LHD countries, that curb (and therefore the gas pump) would be on the right side. And to avoid catching the tailpipe on the curb (especially when back into into a parallel park), the tailpipe would be safely on the left.
I am guessing this is why.
(RHD countries are just out of luck) |
I would have hoped the tailpipe was that side to pump gasses away from pedestrians, especially children...and if you can catch the tailpipe on the curb when parallel parking you're doing it wrong!
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airschooled
Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012
Posts: 13509
Location: West Coast, USA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 9:19 am Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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Fuel fillers on the curb side so you can refill from a Jerry can without standing in traffic. 
Later buses with catalytic converters had right-side tailpipes to accommodate the additional plumbing.
Robbie
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NJ John
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Joined: September 21, 2007
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Location: HdG, MD & NJ
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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It is unlawful to fill a vehicle with fuel while the engine is on. In most states, I assume. Many vehicles have rear exit exhaust.
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KTPhil
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Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35965
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 9:40 am Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback |
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zerotofifty
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Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 3793
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 9:56 am Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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| Many cars have a rear under trunk fuel tank, and the exhaust oft exits on one side of the rear. The exhaust plumbing takes up space along the side of the gas tank, this leaves the opposite side of the tank available for the fuel filler plumbing. It is simply a matter of space that you may find the filler and exhaust on opposite sides. Thats my theory anyhows. |
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raygreenwood
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Joined: November 24, 2008
Posts: 23185
Location: Oklahoma City
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 10:15 am Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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In the US....type 4 cars had the tailpipe on the same side as gas tank (right hand side). Some European markets had the tailpipe on the left. No less than 6 different exhaust/muffler and tailpipe combos for 411 and 412 with no real rhyme or reason relating to gas flap.
Ray |
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finster
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 10:46 am Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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a barndoor bus offered the thrill of splashing fuel over the exhaust and engine... 
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nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect... |
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KTPhil
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Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35965
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 11:04 am Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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| finster wrote: |
a barndoor bus offered the thrill of splashing fuel over the exhaust and engine...
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Yep! The only omission was to not incorporate some danger to pedestrians while you are fueling.
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
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Retired:
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Last edited by KTPhil on Tue Mar 11, 2025 12:02 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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wagen19
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Joined: November 16, 2007
Posts: 697
Location: germany
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 11:49 am Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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| raygreenwood wrote: |
In the US....type 4 cars had the tailpipe on the same side as gas tank (right hand side). Some European markets had the tailpipe on the left. No less than 6 different exhaust/muffler and tailpipe combos for 411 and 412 with no real rhyme or reason relating to gas flap.
Ray |
early 411 lim: tailpipe left, early 411 variant tailpipe right. Gas filler vanagon right, eurovan left.
The ditch is full of flowers in different colors, that´s the way all around the world. Let´s respect this and enjoy!
Sometimes the world is rather individual and seeming a bit crazy.
For ex. I know a owner who bought 1975 in germany (LHD) a new VW bus, normally with one sliding door, but he wanted it unusually on the left side.
(it was a not so easy to order that very rare, but finally possible factory option)
I asked him why.
He answered, while loading, after shopping, the car is in a parking lot and so the way from sliding door to drivers door is shorter.
And at home and he can park his car in his garage just beside the wall on the right side, having much more space on the left side.
He never enters his car from the sidewalk. (He has no children).
I had to admit, there is a good portion of logic behind and I was out of words. |
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KTPhil
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Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35965
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 12:05 pm Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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I'll agree.
My bay bus camper is a really tight fit in the garage, and when I need to get to the cargo area I either need to yoga crawl from the driver's seat (tough with a fridge between the seats) or pull it out of the garage.
A driver's side slider would solve that neatly!
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback |
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wagen19
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Joined: November 16, 2007
Posts: 697
Location: germany
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 12:15 pm Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
| finster wrote: |
a barndoor bus offered the thrill of splashing fuel over the exhaust and engine...
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Yep! The only failure was to not incorporate some danger to pedestrians while you are fueling.
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No risk, no fun!
No pedestrians at the pumps! You have a fuel tap or, and a fuel gauge!
Humorous thinking please!
Minimizing danger and making war is always a good business! |
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KTPhil
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Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35965
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 12:17 pm Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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Maybe there should be an accessory ashtray next to that filler?
 
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback
Last edited by KTPhil on Tue Mar 11, 2025 1:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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wagen19
Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2007
Posts: 697
Location: germany
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 12:25 pm Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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| finster wrote: |
a barndoor bus offered the thrill of splashing fuel over the exhaust and engine...
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The bus is a dream, of course, but is a vacuum dizzy original for that year and kind of bus engine? |
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EverettB
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EverettB
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 4:06 pm Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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| wagen19 wrote: |
| finster wrote: |
a barndoor bus offered the thrill of splashing fuel over the exhaust and engine...
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The bus is a dream, of course, but is a vacuum dizzy original for that year and kind of bus engine? |
Yes, a vacuum advance distributor is incorrect for a Bus of this year
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oprn
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2025 8:40 am Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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I have owned and driven many VWs in the past 50 years and the one common thing that I struggle with is that without fail when I fill up at the pumps I am always driving in contrary to existing traffic direction. It seems the majority of vehicles at the pumps here in western Canada have the fuel filler on the left side and VW puts them on the right.
I have never given any thought to a relationship between the fuel filler and the exhaust outlet but I think it's purely coincidental.
As for the age-old rule about shutting the engine off when refueling... it is just that... antiquated... a rule from the early days of automobiles when the fuel tank was built into the cowl ahead of the dash and the fuel gravity fed the carb. Back then ignition systems were so poorly made that it was normal to see spark leakage under the hood in the dark.
Diesel powered vehicles were never in this camp right from the begining as they do not have an electrical ignition system.
Any vehicle made in the last 40 years or so would never ignite the fuel fumes made by filling the tank at the opposite end of the vehicle running or not. That rule now has myth status in my opinion.
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Abscate
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2025 11:51 am Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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Never use you cell phone when you fill as it can ignite gas fumes.
Wait, isn’t it talking to the tower continuously in the era of data ?
What?
I need a safe place…..
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calvinater
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2025 12:56 pm Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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For you Abscate , the only safe place would be in Sardinia, Olympic hide and seek.
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zerotofifty
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2025 8:35 pm Post subject: Re: Tailpipes and gas fillers |
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| oprn wrote: |
I have owned and driven many VWs in the past 50 years and the one common thing that I struggle with is that without fail when I fill up at the pumps I am always driving in contrary to existing traffic direction. It seems the majority of vehicles at the pumps here in western Canada have the fuel filler on the left side and VW puts them on the right.
I have never given any thought to a relationship between the fuel filler and the exhaust outlet but I think it's purely coincidental.
As for the age-old rule about shutting the engine off when refueling... it is just that... antiquated... a rule from the early days of automobiles when the fuel tank was built into the cowl ahead of the dash and the fuel gravity fed the carb. Back then ignition systems were so poorly made that it was normal to see spark leakage under the hood in the dark.
consider that the alternators can also produce an ignition source, and of course a faulty ignition system may also spark. It truly is wise to shut of the engine when filling. Consider that fuel spills are more likely to happen during filling than at other times.
not too long ago a brand new Lambo caught fire at a local gas station, cause was fueling with the engine running, the gas overflowed. witness say someone told the guy to turn off his motor, and guy told him to Fuck off, guy went into the mini market while filling and kaboom!
dont mess with gasoline. dont become complacent
Diesel powered vehicles were never in this camp right from the begining as they do not have an electrical ignition system.
Any vehicle made in the last 40 years or so would never ignite the fuel fumes made by filling the tank at the opposite end of the vehicle running or not. That rule now has myth status in my opinion. |
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