What to do if you misfuel
If you’ve accidentally put the wrong fuel in your car, don’t turn on the ignition or start the engine. This will circulate the contaminated fuel and increase the risk of expensive damage.
‘Misfuelling’ seems to be associated particularly with the growth in diesel car sales. Modern diesels are so quiet it’s easy to forget you’re driving one, particularly if it’s a second family car or hire car.
Potential Damage
Diesel fuel pumps operate on very fine tolerances and at very high pressures – modern systems run at between 350 and 1600 bar – and are lubricated by the fuel. Petrol in diesel acts as a solvent, reducing lubrication, and can cause damage to the pump through metal to metal contact.
The further the contaminated fuel goes in the system the more expensive the repair. In some cases, it can be cheaper to fit a new engine!
Petrol in Diesel
* Don’t turn on the ignition or start the car *
In line with car manufacturers’ recommendations, AA advice is that any diesel fuel contaminated with petrol should be removed from the tank and replaced with clean fuel before the ignition is turned on and the car started.
Diesel in Petrol
* Don’t turn on the ignition or start the car *
This is less common because the standard diesel nozzle is bigger than the filler neck on modern petrol cars.
In line with car manufacturers’ recommendations, AA advice is that any petrol contaminated with diesel should be removed from the tank and replaced with clean fuel before the ignition is turned on and the car started.
Reduce the Risk
No one misfuels deliberately and no one expects it to happen to them, but hundreds of motorists put the wrong fuel in their vehicle every year.
- you use an unfamiliar filling station – don’t assume hose colours are the same as your ‘local’ site
- you switch between brands using different hose/nozzle colours
- you swap cars (using different fuel) at home or work – it’s easy to ‘forget’ which car you’re filling
- you hire a car using different fuel to your normal car
- you buy a new car using different fuel to your old car
- you continue a conversation with passengers while filling up
- you are in a hurry/running late
Alex Todd Brand Manager at BoxyMo commented "The simplest way to avoid it is to always ensure you are aware of the type of fuel your car needs. This is important if other people drive the car, or if you’re using a hire car."
Full story can be read via
theaa.ie