I might actually agree with you, because if anyone did a study on icons in cars that are "obviously" better, they'd find they are much worse than using language.
For example, the fuel icon is a picture of a fuel pump with an arrow on one side of it, say on the right side pointing to the right.
Does this mean:
1. The fuel pump goes on the left side of the car and one inserts the pump to the right
2. The fuel pump goes on the right side of the car and one inserts the pump to the left
Both are quite reasonable interpretations. I always have to stop and think which one it is. If it said "cap on right" then there's no ambiguity.
For example, the fuel icon is a picture of a fuel pump with an arrow on one side of it, say on the right side pointing to the right.
Does this mean:
1. The fuel pump goes on the left side of the car and one inserts the pump to the right
2. The fuel pump goes on the right side of the car and one inserts the pump to the left
Both are quite reasonable interpretations. I always have to stop and think which one it is. If it said "cap on right" then there's no ambiguity.