What happens if you put petrol in a diesel car
Putting the wrong fuel in a car. A disastrous situation that many of us have found ourselves in at one point or another. It's something that anyone can accidentally do. But what actually happens if you put petrol in a diesel vehicle? In this blog post, we'll explore the consequences of doing so and how you can fix the problem.
Filling up with the wrong fuel
Both fuel pumps are usually next to each other. So, grabbing the wrong nozzle can easily happen. But mistakenly filling up with the wrong fuel can cause a serious problem to your engine. Resulting in a costly bill to fix the issue.
Why? When you put petrol in a diesel car the engine won’t start. The mixture of different fuels will cause a misfire, and the petrol will also damage the injectors and fuel pump. This is because petrol increases the friction between the different parts of your engine, whereas diesel is more lubricating. So, if you use the wrong pump, you should avoid turning the engine on. Otherwise, you risk greater damage.
But what if it’s the other way round? If you do manage to put some diesel in your petrol engine, the results will probably be less severe than the reverse. In most cases, your vehicle won't be able to start since diesel fuel needs to be compressed before it can ignite and power the engine.
Due to the broader design of diesel pump nozzles, they can't easily fit into the necks of petrol tanks. So, you’re less likely to fill the fuel tank with diesel.
What to do if you put petrol in your car.
Below, we’ve highlighted a few things to remember if you happen to grab the wrong pump at the station...
- Stop filling up. The second you’ve noticed you’re using the wrong fuel, stop immediately and don’t start the engine. This is very crucial. Otherwise, it will cause the petrol to circulate and potentially damage the motor.
- Alert the fuel station staff. The attendants at the filling stations should be informed about the situation. Ask them to push your vehicle if they want you to move it, but make sure to only turn the ignition key just enough to free the steering wheel. Don't start the engine or turn on the dashboard lights.
- Call for assistance. Call roadside assistance to have your car towed to a nearby service station. Once at the service station, a mechanic will be able to drain the petrol from your car and flush the system.
What are some of the symptoms of using the wrong fuel?
But what if you don’t notice you’ve used the wrong fuel? What if you’ve started driving? Your car will notice if you do. It won’t start because the engine won’t ignite.
Some of the warning signs of this include:
- Jerky acceleration because the petrol will ruin the pumps
- A smoking exhaust
- The engine misfiring
How to prevent misfuelling
There are a few strategies to reduce the likelihood of using the incorrect fuel, including:
- Before filling up, carefully read the label on the pump instead of relying on the colours.
- Carefully inspect the fuel grade indicator on the nozzle.
- You could add a reminder in your car or on the fuel cap stating which fuel should be used.
- Try not to be distracted at the pump. Not paying attention when filling up is often the reason why people use the wrong fuel. So, avoid using your phone whilst at the station.
- It’s best to not fill up when you’re in a rush, as this can lead to a mistake being made.
- Add a stopper in the filling compartment, so that the petrol nozzle doesn’t fit.
