This is why even two vehicles from the same manufacturer may have their fuel doors on opposite sides. Different platforms, wheelbases, exhaust layouts, spare-tire locations, and structural designs can affect where the fuel system fits best. Changing the location later can also require different body panels, fuel lines, and manufacturing processes.
Fortunately, drivers do not need to memorize which side the fuel door is on. On most vehicles, the small fuel-pump symbol on the dashboard has an arrow or triangle beside it. That arrow points toward the side of the vehicle where the fuel filler is located, helping drivers choose the correct side of the pump before stopping.
So when one car has its fuel door on the left and another has it on the right, the difference is usually the result of practical engineering rather than a special rule. Vehicle designers must balance safety, heat management, available space, manufacturing, and fuel-system requirements—and the small dashboard arrow gives drivers a simple way to find the correct side every time.
