When you mistakenly put the wrong fuel in a car, it can lead to a stressful situation. This is a common mistake that many drivers make, such as putting diesel in petrol tanks or vice versa. If you realise your mistake before driving away from the pump, respond without any delay to prevent costly damage. However, when you have already driven off, the situation becomes more complex, and immediate action is important to avoid severe engine damage. Understanding how to deal with this situation can help you prevent expensive repairs and ensure your car is safe and sound and ready to return to the road.
What Should You Do When You Put the Wrong Fuel in Your Car?
Do Not Start the Engine
Whenever you realise your mistake of putting the wrong fuel in your vehicle, you must not start the engine. When you start your vehicle, the engine circulates the wrong fuel through the system. This can result in possible harm to the engine, fuel lines, and other parts.
Push or Tow Your Car
If you happen to find yourself stuck in a situation where you have filled the wrong fuel, you can seek help to push your car while it is still at the pump. But if you have already driven for a short distance, it may be necessary for you to tow your car to a workshop. It is key to understand that trying to drive even a short distance using the wrong fuel can exacerbate the issue.
Request Professional Help
Reach out to an expert mechanic or your service providers immediately. Professional technicians are qualified to handle misfuelling problems and can evaluate the situation. They can also recommend the safest method to get your car running again on the road.
Drain and Clean the Fuel System
To resolve a misfuelled car issue, the drain and clean method is used. This process contains the removal of the contaminated fuel, purging the fuel lines and tank, and refilling the vehicle with the right fuel. If you are not an expert mechanic, you should also not go for the DIY method.
Replace the Fuel Filter
The wrong fuel in a car sometimes blocks the fuel filter. An expert mechanic may suggest you exchange the fuel filter to make sure the system is entirely clean and free of any remaining impurities.
Inspect for Any Damage
Once the fuel system in your car is washed and refilled with the right fuel, a mechanic should be hired for a detailed examination to make sure no long-lasting damage has happened. Contemporary vehicles are designed with many protection devices to avoid serious damage from misfuelling. However, it is key to look for signs of trouble.
Prevent Future Misfuelling
If you want to prevent misfuelling afterwards, then you should use fuel caps or adapters. These are tailored to avoid the wrong nozzle from being inserted into your fuel filler neck. You also need to remember to make a routine of rechecking the label at the fuel station before refuelling.
What Are the Indicators of Wrong Fuel in the Car
There is a risk of misfuelling when you have just come out of the fuel pump and your car is experiencing any of the following indicators:
- Bad noise from the engine
- Engine cuts out
- Strong smell of petrol from the exhaust
- Engine struggles to start
- Warning lights appear on your dashboard
- Black smoke coming from the exhaust
Different Ways to Avoid Misfuelling
You can prevent misfuelling by focusing on these few methods:
- Carefully check the pump’s threshold level and fuel grade indicator.
- Avoid depending on the colour of the hose or nozzle before you put the wrong fuel in.
- Place reminders in the vehicle, such as a sticker within the fuel cap.
- Avoid putting fuel when you are in a hurry, as you can probably make a mistake.
Effects of Putting the Wrong Fuel in Your Car
What happens if you put petrol in a diesel car?
One of the most common mistakes is accidentally filling petrol in a diesel car. This is only possible because petrol nozzles can easily fit into diesel tanks. Such a mistake can result in more severe and highly expensive damage. Diesel fuel helps the parts of the fuel system move smoothly, while petrol can make them less protected, probably causing damage. Due to this, the parts may grind against each other, producing friction that poses a risk of damaging the fuel pump and engine.
What happens if you put diesel in a petrol car?
Putting diesel in a petrol car is less common because the diesel nozzle normally does not easily fit into a petrol car’s fuel filler. But still, if you fill your tank with diesel, it is important to avoid starting the engine. Diesel fuel is thicker than petrol and can disturb the fuel system. It can contaminate the spark plugs, possibly causing the engine to misfire or fail to start. It also impacts the fuel pump, injectors and fuel lines. When you immediately act and drain the fuel out, you can prevent lasting damage.
UK Misfuelling Statistics And Costs
The UK Department for Transport assessed that about 150,000 drivers put the wrong fuel in their vehicles every year. The costs for misfuelling can range between £150 and £200 for a tank drain or £3,000 and 5,000 when there is damage to the engine, depending on whether the engine is started or not.
Bottom Line
Putting the wrong fuel in your car can be stressful, but immediate action can help avoid severe and costly damage. When you identify the mistake before starting the engine, do not turn it on or drive away. You have to push your car to a safe area and contact an expert breakdown service or mechanic for help. However, if you have already driven off, you need to stop the car immediately after realising and get professional help instead of driving. The ideal way to prevent misfuelling is to check the fuel type before filling your tank and take your time at the fuel station. A standard examination can help you secure your vehicle and save you from highly expensive repair costs.
If you have unintentionally put the wrong fuel in your car? Don’t fret. Contact Fast Recovery Services London for prompt and professional assistance. Our devoted team is always ready to help you minimise the potential engine damage and get your vehicle back on the road.