Many drivers don’t know how to avoid this, but putting the wrong fuel in your car is a much more common occurrence than you think. It can happen to anyone, whether you accidentally put petrol in your diesel car or diesel in a petrol car. The positive side of this is that if you act fast, then you will avoid any serious damage to your engine, and it can be a lot cheaper to repair. A professional wrong fuel service will service your vehicle’s fuel safely and efficiently without causing too much disruption. We offer the very best in wrong fuel recovery service in the UK, which is quick, reliable and professional. Our trained techs visit your property and avoid the towing hassles and costs.
What Is a Wrong Fuel Service?
Wrong Fuel Service is a specialised roadside fuel removal service.
Rather than risking engine damage, trained staff drain contaminated fuel, flush the fuel system as necessary, refuel with the proper fuel and test to ensure everything is in proper working order before heading out on the road again.
For many, the whole service can be done at the roadside without having to call for recovery.
Common Wrong Fuel Mistakes
Typically, misfuelling occurs in one of two ways.
Gas in a Diesel Car
This is the most severe error, as the critical parts of the fuel system will be lubricated by the use of diesel fuel. This lubrication is lessened by petrol and may cause damage to the injectors, pumps and other costly parts of an engine if the vehicle is started.
Diesel in a Petrol Car
If it is caught early, diesel will not cause as much damage. It can, however, still impact the performance of the engine and should be taken out before driving.
What Should You Do After Putting in the Wrong Fuel?
The first step you take following a misfuel can be the most important.
Do Not Start the Engine
If you realise the mistake before starting your car, leave the ignition off. This significantly helps to minimise fuel flowing through the engine.
Drive safely.
Move the vehicle away from the fuel pump to a safe area, if possible.
Make contact with a Wrong Fuel Specialist
Notify a wrong fuel service provider immediately. You can get advice from an experienced technician about what to do and organise roadside assistance.
Avoid DIY Repairs
Fuel systems used today are very sophisticated. Self-draining can be hazardous and can lead to additional damage.
How Does a Professional Wrong Fuel Service Work?
We have designed our process at Mr Fuel Doctor to be quick, secure and efficient.
Vehicle Assessment
Our tech verifies the fuel type and whether the engine was started or not.
Fuel Drain
Contaminated fuel is extracted from the fuel tank with the use of specialist equipment.
Fuel System Inspection
Fuel lines are flushed if necessary to eliminate any contamination of fuel.
Fresh Fuel Refill
The right fuel is put in your car.
Final Testing
We make sure the engine starts properly and functions as you expect before you start your trip.
Why Choose a Professional Wrong Fuel Service?
There are some significant advantages to professional help.
Prevents Expensive Repairs
Preventing damage to the injectors, fuel pumps and engine parts is made easier with quick action.
Convenient Roadside Assistance
Generally, vehicles can be repaired without being recovered at the spot where they are parked.
Saves Time
A professional service provides you with a much quicker method to get moving compared to arranging towing and garage repair services.
Experienced Technicians
Specialists know the differences between current petrol and diesel fuel systems.
Safe Fuel Disposal
Contaminated fuel is removed and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner in line with regulations.
Signs You Have Driven With the Wrong Fuel
In some cases, the mistake is only discovered after leaving the filling station.
Common symptoms are:
- Hard start-up and/or idling issues.
- Loss of power
- Rough engine performance
- Excessive smoke
- Engine warning lights
- Unusual knocking noises
- Engine stalling
If these symptoms occur after refuelling, immediately stop driving and contact a wrong fuel specialist.
Can Driving With the Wrong Fuel Damage Your Vehicle?
Yes.
Damage will vary according to:
- The wrong type of fuel that is used.
- How much pure fuel is in the tank?
- Determine whether or not the engine was started.
- Distance driven by the car
The sooner the fuel is removed, the more likely it is to prevent a major repair.
Vehicles We Can Help
A professional wrong fuel service can help with all kinds of vehicles, such as:
- Cars
- Vans
- Motorhomes
- Commercial vehicles
- Company fleets
- Light trucks
From family cars to business travel, there’s expert help available.
Why Choose Mr Fuel Doctor?
For us at Mr Fuel Doctor, customer satisfaction is our top priority.
We provide:
- Fast nationwide response
- Proven fuel recovery personnel
- Mobile roadside service
- State-of-the-art fuel draining equipment.
- Competitive pricing
- Professional customer support
- The workshop provides help for petrol and diesel vehicles.
The petrol/diesel vehicle assistance is offered at the workshop.
We aim to minimise stress and get you safely back on the road as quickly as possible.
How to Avoid Putting the Wrong Fuel in Your Car
While errors can occur, here are a few things that can help minimise the chances.
Double-check the Fuel Pump
Always check the type of fuel before picking up the nozzle.
Read the Fuel Cap
The majority of cars have obvious fuel labelling.
Slow Down
A lot of misfuelling accidents are caused by distractions or haste by drivers.
Use Reminder Stickers
If you use various cars on a frequent basis, fuel reminder labels may be helpful.
Stay Focused
Don’t use a cell phone or do other activities while refuelling.
Conclusion
This can be an anxious experience trying to put the wrong fuel in your vehicle, but doing it correctly is all that matters. The most crucial thing is to NOT start the engine and contact a trusted wrong fuel service provider right away.
At Mr Fuel Doctor we provide a quick fuel draining/recovery service nationwide. The trained and professional technicians work to ensure minimal damage and minimise repair costs, and ensure a safe road trip.
Call Mr Fuel Doctor today if you’ve filled up the wrong fuel in your car!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a wrong fuel service?
The wrong fuel service safely removes contaminated fuel from your vehicle and refills the system with the proper fuel so as to not damage the engine.
2. What should I do if I put petrol in my diesel car?
Don’t start the engine. Call a specialist wrong fuel specialist right away to arrange fuel draining and recovery.
3. Can I drive after putting the wrong fuel in my car?
Don’t use fuel that has been contaminated, as it can be a serious problem for the fuel system and engine.
4. How long does a wrong fuel service take?
The typical amount of time needed for a roadside fuel drain is 30-90 minutes, depending on the vehicle and the amount of wrong fuel.
5. Is towing always required?
No. The mobile wrong fuel service, in many instances, can fix the problem without towing the vehicle.
6. Can a wrong fuel service save my engine?
Yes. When the contaminated fuel is not removed properly before damage occurs, it can cause expensive repairs to the engine.
7. Do you help both petrol and diesel vehicles?
Yes. Mr Fuel Doctor supports all types of vehicles, cars, vans and commercial vehicles, providing wrong fuel assistance.
8. Why choose Mr Fuel Doctor?
Mr Fuel Doctor provides fast UK-wide roadside assistance, experienced technicians, specialist fuel draining equipment, competitive prices and professional customer service to get drivers up and running again as soon as they have misfuelled.