If you’re reading this article, I’m going to assume that you’ve accidentally put the wrong fuel into your car, and you’re desperately trying to figure out what to do.
Even though all reputable gas stations will clearly mark diesel and petrol nozzles, as well as the different fuel grades, adding the wrong type of fuel can be an easy mistake to make if you’re in a rush or aren’t thinking clearly.
Regardless of whether you’ve put petrol in a diesel car, or diesel in a petrol car, here’s a list of steps you should take immediately:
1.Don’t try to start your car, and be sure to take your keys out from the ignition. If you recognize your mistake prior to starting your car, you will be able to minimize the damage and the cost for repairs.
2. Put your car in neutral and ask a friend or a kind stranger to help you push your car to a safe parking area.
3. Call a roadside car assistance service, who will be able to help you drain the incorrect fuel out of your car, and replace it with the correct fuel type.
Keep in mind that the sooner you recognize your mistake and call a professional to fix it, the higher the chance you have of salvaging your car.
In the future, here are some tips to help you prevent adding the wrong fuel:
1.Read the trigger label on the pump before filling up the tank. Don’t only rely on the nozzle or hose color, and always double check.
2. Don’t attempt to multitask while you’re at the gas station. It can be really easy to accidentally add the wrong fuel type if you’re busy texting your best friend and finish your sandwich while selecting the nozzle.
3. If you’ve recently purchased a brand new car that has a different fuel engine than your old car, put a sticky note in your car reminding you to add the correct fuel.
4. For diesel car drivers, you can purchase a device that will physically stop a petrol nozzle from fitting into a diesel car’s filling pipe. Some of the brands are: SoloDiesel and FuelAngel.
At Revolution Motor Works, our expert auto technicians can help you diagnose and fix your trickiest import car problems. We are a full-service auto repair shop based in Finksburg, MD, and we’d be happy to help you with your next car maintenance or repair!
