These days, there are many convenient features present in automobiles that we tend to take for granted – and in many cases, a lot of folks may not even be aware of. The gas tank indicator – or Moylan Arrow as it’s otherwise known – is certainly such a feature. That tiny little arrow that indicates which side of a vehicle the gas tank filler is located on has come in handy for a lot of people over the years, saving them the trouble of pulling into the wrong side of a pump, but some may not be aware that it was invented by a Ford employee.
Ever wonder why all cars have an arrow indicating which side of the car has the gas tank? It was a Ford idea submitted by an employee. I love it when common sense wins out! Watch to learn the full story. #builtfordsmart #fordheritagevault pic.twitter.com/drEOaKfezG
— Ted Ryan (@tedryan64) December 17, 2024
In this recent episode of “Ted Talks,” Ford’s Archives and Heritage Brand Manger Ted Ryan reminds us of this interesting piece of automotive history, which Ford Authority previously reported on back in 2020. The idea for the Moylan Arrow came from former Ford engineer Jim Moylan, who found himself rather frustrated with the fact that there wasn’t a simple way to know which side of a vehicle the gas tank was located on.
As such, Moylan headed to the office and drew up a rough sketch of a fuel gauge arrow, and then sent it to the company’s idea submission line. “Wouldn’t it be great if you always knew what side of the car the gas tank was on?” Moylan asked his superiors. Ford brass immediately recognized this as a pretty great idea and implemented it into production vehicles relatively quickly. The Moylan Arrow made so much sense, in fact, that other automotive manufacturers also adopted it, and today, it’s hard to imagine a world where this little helpful indicator didn’t exist.
Comments
Thank you Jim Moylan…from a guy who has rented many many cars!
Jim Moylan you are my type of engineer ! Glad Ford named the arrow with your name. Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ideas..
WOW! Now I know how that arrow came about. I am retired, and have a part time job driving cars for a Used Car dealer that buys them from lease companies and we get all brands and models and would never know which side has the gas cap.
Thank You for the Arrow!
Now, if we could get the manufacturers to put an arrow showing where the gas cap release is located would sure be nice. Some imports are very hard to find.
Thank you Mr Moylan! Your idea has saved me many times.
Great idea. Well done.
Ford has the best ideas!