It is very important to choose the right fuel for the car. Mistakes happen and sometimes drivers add diesel instead of gasoline or vice versa. This is especially true if you have several cars in the family or when a friend’s car is used.
Understanding the consequences and actions to take when you make a mistake can help you avoid serious problems.
Diesel fuel, which is denser and has a low octane number, can seriously damage a gasoline engine. A malfunctioning injection system causes the engine to experience difficulty, noise, black smoke and poor throttle response. Injecting gasoline into a diesel engine can also cause problems. The high octane number and properties of gasoline can damage a diesel engine, especially the pump and fuel injection system.
According to specialists, drivers who have mistakenly filled the fuel tank with the wrong fuel are advised not to panic and to assess the situation soberly. First of all, it is important to understand that under no circumstances should you start the engine.
You should contact professionals to help drain gasoline or diesel fuel from the fuel system and flush it out. The best way to do this is to use the services of a tow truck.
It is also recommended that all filters be replaced to prevent further damage to fuel system components. Of course, it would be much simpler to just be as vigilant as possible when filling the car with gas.
