By John 
The automotive industry is marking the loss of a quiet but influential innovator following the death of longtime Ford engineer Jim Moylan. Moylan died Dec. 11, 2025, in Naples, Florida. He was 80.
Moylan spent more than 30 years as an engineer with Ford, building a career defined not by public recognition, but by practical problem solving. His most enduring contribution was never intended to make headlines, yet it became one of the most universally recognized features in modern vehicles.
The idea was born in 1986 during an everyday inconvenience. After stopping to refuel a company car in poor weather, Moylan found himself on the wrong side of the fuel pump, forcing him to reposition the vehicle. The experience highlighted a small but persistent issue faced by drivers everywhere: uncertainty over which side of the vehicle housed the fuel filler.
Rather than dismissing the moment as trivial, Moylan approached it as an engineering problem. He proposed adding a small triangular arrow next to the fuel pump icon on the dashboard, pointing toward the correct side of the car. The concept required no new technology, added minimal cost, and relied entirely on clear visual communication.
The solution first appeared on the 1989 Ford Escort. Its impact was immediate and lasting. The arrow eliminated guesswork at gas stations and quickly proved its value through everyday use. As vehicles evolved, the feature spread well beyond Ford, becoming an industry-wide standard adopted by manufacturers across the globe.
Though often unnoticed, the arrow is now consulted millions of times each day. It has saved drivers time, frustration, and inconvenience, particularly in bad weather or unfamiliar vehicles. Moylan never pursued public recognition for the idea, allowing the feature to quietly integrate into automotive design.
His passing is a reminder that innovation is not always measured by complexity or scale. Sometimes it is defined by simplicity and usefulness. Moylan’s contribution remains a permanent part of daily driving, a small detail that continues to improve the experience behind the wheel.
As drivers glance down at their dashboards to check fuel levels, few may realize they are benefiting from the work of one engineer who believed common problems deserved thoughtful solutions.
Shawn Henry 
Eve