Something I noticed about domestics and imports while walking through the parking lot today

[psteng19]

Most of the domestic cars (GM, Ford, Chrysler) have an opening for your finger to flip open the lid to the gas tank.

Almost none of the imports had this. They are all opened from the inside by pulling/pushing the lever by the driver seat.

Cost savings measure?
Fuel-siphoning deterrent?

 

[illusion88]

Gar, I messed up the vote.

I own an integra and I open it from a switch inside.

 

[Analog]

My Fiero has a lever on the inside.

 

[Patt]

I have both actually ... I own a Chevy Cavalier (commuter car) which finger-flips, and a Mazda 6 SportWagon which used the lever inside. I've also owned Hondas with the interior lever. New selection on the pole for I own both!

 

[bleeb]

where is the BOTH option beeyatch!? Both... having the mechanical levers inside costs extra while the finger hole allows easy access.

 

[radioouman]

I hate the kind that you have to open from the inside. If it freezes, you can't open it unless you have another person to hold the fuel door.

 

[PHiuR]

the gas lid is controlled by locking/unlocking the doors.

 

[brxndxn]

My bro's 94 Ford Aerostar van has a lever on the inside. My 97 Camaro has a thumb hole.. I don't mind the thumb hole because I don't think people stealing gas is a very big problem in the US - even with today's stupidly high gas prices.

 

[theknight571]

It doesn't matter to me either way... although the open from the inside is a nice security feature.

For those that require it to be opened from the inside I would like a button on the keyfob as well. I can't tell you how many times I had to get back into the car to open the fuel door. (I frequently drive a rental)

The next question is: What determines what side of the car the fuel door is on?

- TK

 

[kami333]

My Subaru Impreza had the flip door, my Legacy has a lever.

 

[Ilmater]

I used to own a Chrysler LeBaron (didn't everyone?) and it had to be opened from the inside.

 

[CtK]

my G35c i use my key FOB to unlock the gas door then i have to push it in to open it

 

[FoBoT]

i have both and both
the mazda has the inside lever

the plymouth just pulls open

the saturn has an inside lever also

 

[JBT]

My Wife's 2001 subaru Outback his an inside lever. My 94 VW Jetta just opens from the out side.

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: PHiuR
the gas lid is controlled by locking/unlocking the doors.

That's cool, what kind of car?

 

[mugs]

Import, opens from the inside, I'd prefer it open from the outside. Having it open from the inside doesn't offer the least bit of additional security, and I really couldn't care less how it affects the aerodynamics or aesthetics of the car (as if the fuel door itself looks nice?)

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Both my Swedish cars have the finger grip.

 

[sswingle]

Chevy, opens from outside. I would kinda prefer it to open from inside, more theft deterrent. On the other hand, its handy having it on outside, and no one has tried to steal my gas.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: ScottSwingleComputers
Chevy, opens from outside. I would kinda prefer it to open from inside, more theft deterrent. On the other hand, its handy having it on outside, and no one has tried to steal my gas.

Opens from the outside:
You might lose $30 worth of gas

Opens from the inside:
You might lose $30 worth of gas AND have to replace the fuel door because someone pried it open with a knife

 

[pray4mojo]

Originally posted by: arcenite

Originally posted by: PHiuR
the gas lid is controlled by locking/unlocking the doors.

That's cool, what kind of car?

My old Mercedes Benz 190E does that.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: ScottSwingleComputers
Chevy, opens from outside. I would kinda prefer it to open from inside, more theft deterrent. On the other hand, its handy having it on outside, and no one has tried to steal my gas.

Opens from the outside:
You might lose $30 worth of gas

Opens from the inside:
You might lose $30 worth of gas AND have to replace the fuel door because someone pried it open with a knife

Naa, there are plenty of american made cars that open from the outside for them to steal from.

 

[luckysnafu]

Originally posted by: pray4mojo

Originally posted by: arcenite

Originally posted by: PHiuR
the gas lid is controlled by locking/unlocking the doors.

That's cool, what kind of car?

My old Mercedes Benz 190E does that.

My BMW does this as well. All the doors have to be unlocked for the fuel door to be unlocked. If only the drivers door is open, the fuel door is still locked. It's a nice feature.

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: ScottSwingleComputers
Chevy, opens from outside. I would kinda prefer it to open from inside, more theft deterrent. On the other hand, its handy having it on outside, and no one has tried to steal my gas.

Opens from the outside:
You might lose $30 worth of gas

Opens from the inside:
You might lose $30 worth of gas AND have to replace the fuel door because someone pried it open with a knife

Naa, there are plenty of american made cars that open from the outside for them to steal from.

Yeah, you figure if they're going to siphon gas, they'll pick an easier target.
If they get caught, there's less damage to their name.

 

[Lithium381]

My toyota has a lever inside(or via key) and my chevy allows it to be opened from the outside

 

[DaShen]

The engineers at domestic car companies are just as smart as the foreign car engineers, it is the executives that do that stupid cost cutting and dumb down the cars.

Most foreign cars "imported" are made in the U.S. anyways. Sometimes in the same manufacturing areas as the domestics.