Imagine it: you’ve parked at the fuel pumps. Same as usual, you fill up your car and carry on with your day, when – bam! You’ve just realised you’ve used the wrong fuel.
'Misfuelling' is more common than you think. In fact, according to Go Compare, almost 30% of us have done it! Not only can it be a costly problem to fix, but it could cause a lot of damage to your car, too.
But if you've grabbed the wrong pump, don't worry! We’ve created a simple guide to help if you’ve accidentally used the wrong fuel.
- What is misfuelling?
- What to do after using the wrong fuel?
- The symptoms of misfuelling
- The costs of using the wrong fuel
- How to avoid misfuelling?
- Peace of mind from misfuelling
What is misfuelling?
This is when you put the wrong kind of fuel in your car. So if you put diesel in your petrol car (or vice versa), you've misfuelled.
This can hugely damage your car. If left untreated, there’s a possibility the entire engine of your car will need to be replaced.
Misfuelling is serious because diesel and petrol engines work differently. Diesel is used as a lubricant for its engine, preventing wear and tear. Without diesel to keep the engine running smoothly, friction will increase, negatively affecting your car. You could empty your savings replacing your engine due to one silly mistake.
Using the wrong fuel in a petrol car doesn’t have the same effect - but will still cause you a host of problems. Diesel can clog spark plugs, meaning your engine will have trouble starting, could cut out while driving, or misfire.
What to do after using the wrong fuel?
So, tyou’ve put the wrong fuel in your car. Don't panic. Here are a few dos and don'ts to help the situation:
- Don’t start the engine.
Hopefully, you’ve noticed your mistake before driving away from the petrol station. Take your keys out of the ignition and keep the engine off to prevent the worst damage. - Do tell someone.
Let the petrol station’s staff know what's happened. They’ll be able to help with the next steps. - Do move to a safe space.
Pop your car in neutral and push it to a safe space with help from others. - Do call for help.
If you’ve added breakdown cover to your insurance policy, give them a call. If you haven’t, contact a local garage or mechanic. They'll drain your tank and evaluate any damage. - Do inform your insurance provider.
As soon as possible, give your insurer a call and explain the situation.
Didn’t notice your mistake before switching on your engine? There are still ways to prevent further damage. As listed above, turn off your engine at once and phone for help.
The symptoms of misfuelling
Using the wrong fuel affects petrol and diesel cars differently. Misfuelling is most common for diesel drivers because petrol nozzles easily fit into diesel cars. This kind of misfuelling also causes the most damage.
To make matters worse, many people who accidentally put petrol into diesel cars don’t know until it is too late. But, a few tell-tale signs will hint that something is wrong. These include:
- Excessive smoke coming from the exhaust
- Loud knocking
- Slower than normal acceleration
- The engine warning light is on
- The engine cutting out, misfiring, or unable to restart.
Misfuelling isn’t as serious for petrol car owners. Diesel nozzles usually don’t fit into petrol cars, making it harder to make this mistake. But if it were to happen:
- Your car might not be able to start
- Your engine may cut out
- Your car could misfire.
All of these situations can be unnerving, and you might feel as if you’ve lost control of your car. If you notice any of these signs, pull over to a safe space at the side of the road and turn off the engine. Once you’re safe, call for help.
The costs of using the wrong fuel
Misfuelling is a costly mistake to make – especially for diesel drivers. Even if you were lucky enough to clock your error before starting the engine, you could still be down a few hundred pounds.
Breakdown cover for draining wrongly fuelled vehicles could help cover the costs. But if you have to replace your entire engine dur to damage, you could be forking out thousands of pounds.
How to avoid misfuelling?
Don't just rely on fuel pump colours - you need to double-check labels too.
If you think you might grab the wrong pump, you can buy inserts for your fuel cap which stop you from using the wrong fuel nozzle. These devices tend to cost around £50.
Mistakes happen, so it’s best to be prepared for the worst. Some car insurance providers, like AXA, include misfuelling cover in their comprehensive car insurance. This covers you for draining and flushing the tank, as well as any damage caused by misfuelling. Plus, we also offer breakdown cover as an optional add-on for further protection.
Peace of mind from misfuelling
While misfuelling is a common mistake for UK drivers, it shouldn’t be the end of the road. Knowing the warning signs and what to do if you use the wrong fuel will save you a chunk of money in the long run.
Remember to avoid turning on your engine after putting the wrong fuel in the tank. But, if you do, make sure to pull over and safely park as soon as you can. Keep an eye out for signs like a smoky exhaust, knocking, and the engine cutting out or misfiring.
