Sylvie Willis
Adding diesel fuel to a car is a straightforward process, but it's important to be cautious to avoid costly mistakes. Diesel fuel is specifically designed for diesel engines, which are typically found in cars, lorries, and agricultural vehicles. When filling up, it's crucial to pay attention to the pump to ensure the correct type of fuel is being used, as mixing diesel and gasoline can lead to serious engine issues. In cold climates, diesel fuel requires additives to maintain its performance and protect against damage caused by low temperatures. Understanding the unique characteristics of diesel fuel and taking the necessary precautions can help ensure a smooth and safe driving experience.
How to add diesel fuel to your car
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Fuel colour | Varies, can be red or green |
| Fuel smell | Like kerosene |
| Fuel pump handle colour | Green |
| Fuel pump nozzle diameter | Larger than gasoline |
| Fuel tank | Needs to be drained if filled with the wrong fuel |
| Fuel additives | Anti-gel additives are required during winter |
| Fuel contamination | Can happen at the distributor level |
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What You'll Learn
- Diesel fuel additives improve cold-weather performance, stability, lubricity and cetane rating
- How to identify diesel fuel pumps at the station?
- What to do if you accidentally add diesel to a non-diesel car?
- How to identify if diesel has been added to a non-diesel car?
- The science behind why diesel engines need diesel fuel
Diesel fuel additives improve cold-weather performance, stability, lubricity and cetane rating
Unlike gasoline, diesel fuel is not pre-treated with additives by default. As a result, diesel users often need to add aftermarket additives to optimize performance, improve fuel economy, and ensure reliability in challenging conditions, such as extremely cold weather.
In cold weather, diesel tends to transform into a waxy, glue-like gel, which can restrict fuel flow and cause severe damage. Anti-gel additives, therefore, help to prevent fuel from gelling and improve cold-weather performance. They do so by lowering the gelling point of the paraffin in the diesel, which normally turns to gel at temperatures between 11 and 15°F.
Lubricity additives improve the lubrication of moving parts, reducing wear and prolonging the engine's life. Diesel fuel tends to lose its lubricating properties during the chemical process of sulfur removal and hydrogenation. Therefore, lubricating diesel additives are essential to prevent premature engine wear and tear.
Cetane boosters improve the combustion quality of diesel, allowing the fuel to burn more efficiently and reducing the risk of engine knocking. They do so by raising the cetane number of the diesel fuel, which in turn ensures that the fuel ignites more quickly and burns efficiently, leading to smoother operation, better fuel economy, and reduced emissions.
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How to identify diesel fuel pumps at the station
Identifying a diesel fuel pump at a gas station is usually quite straightforward. Firstly, the pump will be clearly labelled with the word "diesel" on the sign, and there will often be a separate price listed for diesel fuel. The pump handle for diesel will usually be coloured yellow, and it will be bigger than the handle for gasoline/petrol, meaning it won't fit into a gasoline/petrol car fuel tank.
On digital price signs, the price of regular gas is often displayed in red, while the price of diesel is shown in green. Additionally, the filler cap of your car will usually indicate whether it requires diesel or gasoline/petrol. It will typically say "Diesel only" above the fuel gauge and on the fuel door if your car runs on diesel.
Some gas stations may have pumps with handles that dispense both gas and diesel. In this case, the handle for diesel will usually be yellow and clearly marked. These pumps will also typically have a separate nozzle for diesel fuel, which is larger than the nozzle for regular gas.
It's important to pay attention to the pump labels and colours to ensure you're using the correct fuel type for your vehicle.
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What to do if you accidentally add diesel to a non-diesel car
It is crucial to know what to do if you accidentally add diesel to a non-diesel car. Here are some steps to take in such a situation:
First and foremost, do not start the engine. Starting the car can cause the diesel fuel to enter the fuel lines and damage the engine, leading to costly repairs. Even a small amount of diesel contamination can cause issues. The diesel will clog the fuel injectors and spark plugs, causing the vehicle to misfire, stall, or not start at all. Therefore, it is best to keep the diesel contained in the tank to prevent further complications.
Call a dealership or a local repair shop immediately. They will have the expertise to handle the situation properly. A mechanic will need to drain and clean the gas tank to remove the diesel and its residue. If you have driven the car with diesel in the tank, additional repairs may be necessary, as the diesel may have already entered the fuel lines and caused damage. The mechanic may need to flush the fuel lines and service or replace the fuel injector system.
If you are short on money, there are home remedies you can attempt to drain the diesel yourself. One method involves using a fuel pump to pump out the diesel and then adding fresh gasoline. However, this method can take a long time, and if the pump runs dry, it may seize up. Another method is to disconnect the fuel line from the fuel rail, place the end of the line into a gas canister, and turn the key to the "on" position to prime the fuel pump and drain the diesel.
To prevent accidentally adding diesel to a non-diesel car, always pay attention at the pump. Diesel pumps are typically labelled with a "Diesel" label and have green handles and larger nozzles than gasoline pumps. Diesel also has a distinct smell, resembling kerosene, while gasoline smells like paint thinner. Staying vigilant can help prevent fuel mix-ups.
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How to identify if diesel has been added to a non-diesel car
Mistakenly adding diesel fuel to a non-diesel car is a rare occurrence, as diesel pumps have thicker nozzles that do not fit in petrol vehicles. However, it is still possible to insert a petrol nozzle into a diesel car, which can severely damage the engine.
- Check the rev meter: Typically, the red area on the rev meter of a diesel car starts at around 4500-5000 RPM, while for petrol cars, it usually begins at 6000 RPM and goes up to 8000 RPM.
- Observe the glowplug indicator: Diesel cars have a glowplug, a heating device that helps with cold starts. Turn the key to the 'on' position without igniting the engine. If a glowplug indicator light turns on, it suggests the presence of a diesel engine.
- Examine the fuel pump nozzle: Diesel pump nozzles are generally thicker than petrol ones. If the nozzle feels too tight or too loose, it may indicate that the wrong type of fuel is being used.
- Check the model name: Diesel-powered vehicles often have a 'D' in their model name, such as BMW 745d or Lexus IS 220d. The badge at the back of the car should indicate the model name.
- Inspect the engine: Diesel engines do not have spark plugs, and older models may lack mass air flow sensors or throttle bodies.
- Look for stickers or labels: Car rental companies often place stickers on their vehicles to indicate the required fuel type. Additionally, there may be a label near the gas tank specifying the type of fuel to be used.
If you suspect that diesel has been added to a non-diesel car, do not attempt to start the engine, as it could cause extensive damage. Contact a mechanic or a car specialist for further guidance.
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The science behind why diesel engines need diesel fuel
Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, initially designed his engine to use coal dust as fuel. However, he also experimented with vegetable oil before the petroleum industry began making petroleum diesel fuel. Today, most diesel fuel used in the United States is refined from crude oil, although the use of biodiesel and renewable diesel is increasing.
Diesel engines are compression ignition engines, meaning they use the heat of compression to ignite their fuel. This is in contrast to gasoline engines, which require spark plugs to begin the combustion process. The absence of spark plugs in diesel engines means that combustion occurs at a substantially constant pressure during the initial part of the power stroke. This high-pressure combustion allows for a high compression ratio, which greatly increases the engine's efficiency.
The high compression ratio in diesel engines also contributes to their ability to produce impressive amounts of torque. The torque-to-horsepower ratio in diesel engines is rarely lower than 2:1, and it is common to see ratios of 3:1 or even 4:1 in heavy-industry applications. In comparison, gasoline engines typically have a torque-to-horsepower ratio of close to 1:1.
Diesel fuel is thicker and more viscous than gasoline, which is why it can clog and damage the injection system and other components of a gasoline engine. Diesel engines, on the other hand, are designed to handle this thicker fuel and can even combust a wide variety of other fuels, including several fuel oils.
Due to its composition, diesel fuel is more prone to changing over time, even in storage. Therefore, diesel fuel often requires additives to protect its performance, stability, lubricity, and cetane rating. Anti-gel additives, for example, are commonly used during cold months to prevent the fuel from turning into a gel and clogging the fuel tank and filters.
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Frequently asked questions
Adding diesel fuel to your car is a simple process. First, locate the fuel cap, which is usually found on the rear or side of the vehicle. Once you've unscrewed the cap, you can insert the diesel pump nozzle into the tank and begin fueling. Diesel pumps usually have green handles and larger nozzles than gasoline pumps, so they're easy to identify.
Adding diesel fuel to a gasoline car can cause serious engine issues. Diesel is thicker and more viscous than gasoline, so it can clog fuel injectors and spark plugs, leading to engine stalling or failure to start. If you realize your mistake before driving, you can avoid major repairs by calling a repair shop to drain and clean the tank.
No, there are no benefits to adding diesel fuel to a gasoline car. Mixing diesel and gasoline will reduce the engine's power and may cause long-term damage. It is not recommended to experiment with this combination.
Yes, diesel fuel often requires additives to enhance its performance and protect its properties. In cold weather, anti-gel additives are essential to prevent the fuel from turning into a gel and clogging the fuel system. Lubricating additives are also important to prevent premature engine wear and tear.
