Just last week I changed the oil

[venta]

On the way into work this morning, I drew zandev's attention to the fact that the vast majority of cars seem to have their petrol filler caps on the right hand side. He pointed out that that was silly, and that there should be an even distribution.

We tried to count filler caps on cars going past, but ran into a problem: seeing one means the cap is on the right. Not seeing one means the cap is on the left or you just missed it. Plus there were issues with cars going past too quickly, sun in eyes, etc.

So, I think a little scientific rigour is needed. And what could be more scientifically rigorous than an LJ poll ?


[Poll #391837]

Comments

[broadmeadow.livejournal.com]

You mentioned this to me before I went to test drive a Japanese car (the one I now own) but I found the indicators and wipers were the "correct" way round. The dealer told me that it _used_ to be common for Japanese cars to have them the other way round.

However, whilst the wipers on the right as you would expect them to be, they work upside-down (that is, you switch them on by moving the stalk downwards).

Another observation: I drive two cars, one has the filler cap on the left, the other on the right (I answered "left" as that's the one I use most - per your instructions). But both of them have a little arrow on the fuel guage showing which side the filler cap is. Always struck me as completely pointless. Is that common? Ooh! Ooh! New poll option!

[venta.livejournal.com]

However, whilst the wipers on the right as you would expect them to be, they work upside-down (that is, you switch them on by moving the stalk downwards).

That, good sir, is entirely the correct way for wipers to work.

I've don't think I've ever driven a car where you switched them up to put them on.

[lanfykins.livejournal.com]

Down is the way on for intermittent. Up is the way on for sensible and downpour.

Why Ford think this makes the slightest sense I know not.