Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox Motorists have been clued in on a "handy" icon on their car dashboards that many might have missed despite years of driving. There's more to this little symbol than one might initially think. A Reddit thread lit up with discussion when a social media user sought clarity on its actual function, having been confused by his girlfriend's interpretation. It turned out the real purpose was quite unexpected for him. Sharing his dilemma online, he posted: "Does this symbol indicate when you should fill up? Girlfriend says you should fill up when you reach this symbol. I thought it just told you that that gauge indicates fuel, and which side the petrol cap is on." Following his question, the internet responded with a bevy of theories, kicking-off a heated debate. One respondent gave their take saying: "I mean, you're both technically right. I would fill up if you're that low on gas and yes, it does show which side the cap is on," reports the Mirror. Someone else contributed: "Indicator for which side the filler neck is on. As for 'when to fuel up', I disagree, for two reasons." A further comment came from another user: "That symbol just shows you which side the gas cap is on. You should not let your car get that low on gas because you could potentially run the fuel pump dry. I try to fill up when it hits 1/4 tank of gas." In addition, someone else inserted: "The picture of the gas pump is telling you it's the fuel gauge. Where that is located on the gauge is just a design choice. "The arrow, if there is one, points to the side of the car with the fuel door. Older cars typically don't have that." Many motorists may have faced the temporary lapse in memory when it comes to recalling the side their petrol cap is situated on. This becomes particularly awkward when arriving at a filling station to refuel. Whether it's a bout of forgetfulness or you're behind the wheel of a rental, there are various reasons why we might be momentarily stumped when it's time to top up the tank. However, a simple dashboard icon can provide instant clarification. Some assert there's no specific correct side for refuelling, arguing that as long as the hose stretches across your vehicle, all is well. Nevertheless, this isn't necessarily the case with larger vehicles, like 4x4s. There's a swift solution to determine the proper side - just glance at your vehicle's fuel gauge. For those unfamiliar, search for an icon resembling a fuel pump with a bold triangular arrow pointing either left or right. That small indicator is the key to identifying which side houses your fuel door. In certain models, this fuel pump icon might lack an arrow; however, another nifty method exists to solve the puzzle. It's been revealed that in some vehicles, the pump handle within the fuel gauge may hold a hidden clue about the position of your fuel cap. If the pump handle appears on the right side of the icon, it is likely indicating that your fuel cap is situated on your car's right-hand side.