What To Do If You Put the Wrong Fuel in Your Car

It’s a mistake that happens more often than you’d think. You’re filling up in a rush, your mind’s elsewhere and before you know it, you’ve used the wrong fuel. Whether it’s petrol in a diesel or the other way around, acting quickly can make a big difference.

What To Do If You’ve Used the Wrong Fuel

If you’ve misfuelled, the most important thing is to act fast and avoid turning a minor mistake into a major expense. Here's how:

1. Don’t Start The Engine

This is the golden rule. If you realise at the pump, leave the engine off and the key out of the ignition. Starting the car, even just turning on the electrics, can circulate the fuel through the system and this is especially risky in diesel cars.

2. Let The Station Staff Know

They’ve seen this more often than you may realise. They can usually help you move the car to a safe space or recommend a recovery service.

3. Call For Breakdown Assistance

Some insurers include misfuelling as part of their breakdown or comprehensive cover. If misfuelling is covered, they may arrange for your tank to be drained and flushed, and in some cases, cover the cost of any damage caused to your engine up to a certain value.

However, not all policies include this type of cover, so it’s important to contact your insurer before taking any further action or paying out of pocket. They can confirm what’s included and advise on the next steps.

Why Petrol in a Diesel Car Is Worse

Putting petrol into a diesel engine is more common, as petrol nozzles fit more easily into diesel tanks. Unfortunately, this is also the more damaging mistake. Diesel acts as a lubricant and petrol doesn’t. Once mixed, the petrol can wear down sensitive engine parts and lead to expensive repairs if it’s been circulated.

What Happens If You Put Diesel in a Petrol Car?

It’s less likely as the diesel nozzle is larger and doesn’t fit many petrol tanks but it still happens. Diesel won’t ignite properly in a petrol engine and often causes the engine to stall or misfire. If you catch it before starting the car, a drain and flush should sort it.

Tips To Prevent Misfuelling

Switching cars is one of the most common reasons for getting it wrong. A few simple steps can help avoid the hassle:

• Take a second before fuelling to double-check the pump.
• Add a label inside the fuel flap if you’ve changed car or fuel type.
• Diesel drivers can buy a filler cap insert to block petrol nozzles and it costs less than most tank drains.

Our Final Thought

Putting the wrong fuel in your car is frustrating, but not the end of the world. Acting quickly and following the right steps can help you avoid serious engine damage and get back on the road with minimal fuss.

If you want to find out if your car insurance policy covers misfuelling incidents, our team at Chill is always willing to help.