Did you top up your vehicle with the wrong fuel type by mistake? Well, we've all been there! The first thing to note is not to turn the key into the ignition to avoid irreversible damages.
Moreover, the small petrol nozzle fits readily into the fuel tank. So, the chances of topping petrol in a diesel car are more likely than the other way around. So, how do you fix this mix-up? Learn about it below!
If you have spotted your mistake right away, avoid turning on the ignition or inserting the keys. Push your car to a safe spot and contact your car manufacturer's customer care. Customer care will help you take your vehicle to the nearest service station and drain the fuel.
The service centre will flush and clean the fuel lines after draining the petrol. Also, the diesel might have clogged the system. As a result, the fuel filter might require replacement. However, if only 5% of the diesel tank has petrol, you can fill the rest of it with diesel.
Filling your diesel car with petrol is can be more damaging. Since petrol does not necessarily have lubricating properties, it increases the friction between the internal parts, causing damage to the pump and fuel lines. As is the case with the earlier situation, do not make the mistake of turning on the ignition.
Contact customer care so that they can help you reach the service station. The service station will drain the fuel and clean the system. But If you realise your error only after you´ve already started driving, then pull over to the side of the road immediately, switch off the engine and call your service station. In this case, besides draining the tank, the service station will also have to assess the extent of damage and the cost of repairs.
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If you top up your petrol car with diesel, the damages will be minute. One thing you should know is that petrol is more refined than diesel. As a result, topping petrol cars with diesel will clog the fuel systems. The fuel filters of a petrol car can't typically handle the greasy properties of diesel. You might notice heavy smoke from exhaust and engine misfiring.
On the other hand, filling petrol on a diesel car is a recipe for mishaps. Diesel car engines compress the fuel to ignite the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle circulates diesel around the internal parts to lubricate them. The fuel injection pump will malfunction without the lubrication of diesel. Your car might end up gushing black fumes and move sluggishly until it finally breaks down.
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The next time you refuel, pay extra attention. Even though the consequences are generally mild and next to nothing, it is better to be cautious!
