Rajan Wilcox
Putting the wrong fuel in your car is a common mistake, but it can have serious consequences. The wrong type of fuel can cause extensive damage to your engine, so it's important to take immediate action to minimise the impact. The first step is to turn off the ignition and not start the car. From there, you have a few options: you can call a professional mechanic or fuel drain service to come and drain and flush the wrong fuel, or you can attempt to drain the fuel yourself through siphoning or using manual pumps. Either way, it's crucial to act quickly and safely to reduce the risk of costly repairs.
How to get wrong fuel out of your car
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to do if you put the wrong fuel in your car | Don't turn on the ignition or start the car. If you've already started your car, stop and switch off the ignition as soon as it's safe. Put the car in neutral. |
| How to get wrong fuel out of your car | Get a professional mechanic to drain and flush the fuel out of your car. Use breakdown cover if you have it. |
| How to prevent filling up with the wrong fuel | Don't rely on the colour of the hose or nozzle. Read the pump's trigger label and the fuel grade indicator. Put reminders in the car, like a sticker inside the fuel cap. |
| What to do if you put AdBlue in your car | Don't turn on the ignition or start the engine. Call a mechanic, as you may need to be towed to a local garage. |
| What to do if you put petrol in a diesel engine | Get the tank drained and topped up with new fuel. |
| What to do if you put a lower grade of petrol than is specified for your vehicle | You don't need to panic and drain the tank. Just fill up when you can with the recommended fuel. |
| How to drain fuel from any vehicle | Siphoning, using two hoses (one to remove wrong fuel, one to transfer correct fuel), manual pumps, or a professional fuel drain service. |
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What You'll Learn
Don't start the car, call a professional mechanic
If you've put the wrong fuel in your car, it is important that you do not start the car or turn on the ignition. Starting the car with the wrong fuel can cause serious damage to your engine and fuel pump system. Even if you have already started driving, stop in a safe place and switch off the ignition immediately.
The next step is to call a professional mechanic. While there are methods to drain the wrong fuel yourself, such as siphoning, it is safer and more effective to use a professional fuel drain service. They have the necessary equipment and expertise to handle the situation efficiently and minimise potential damage to your car. Professional mechanics can drain and flush the wrong fuel from your car, and some even offer roadside assistance.
The type of fuel and the amount of wrong fuel used will determine the extent of the repairs needed. For example, petrol in a diesel engine can be very damaging and will require extensive flushing and cleaning. On the other hand, diesel in a petrol engine may not cause permanent damage if the car is not started, but it still needs to be properly flushed.
The skill and experience of the mechanic are also important factors in the recovery process. An experienced mechanic will be able to efficiently diagnose the issue, flush out the incorrect fuel, and get your car running again. They will also be able to advise you on any necessary repairs or replacements.
In summary, if you realise you have put the wrong fuel in your car, do not start the car. Instead, call a professional mechanic to assist you as soon as possible. They will be able to safely drain and flush the wrong fuel, and provide any necessary repairs to get your car back on the road.
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Get breakdown cover
If you've put the wrong fuel in your car, don't panic. Get breakdown cover to fix the issue as soon as you realise your mistake. Thousands of people make the same mistake every year, and solutions are available.
Breakdown cover can help you avoid expensive repairs and get your vehicle back on the road. If you have breakdown cover, you can use the provider's app or call them to get help. They will send a specialist or Fuel Assist team to perform a 'drain and flush procedure' and provide you with enough of the correct fuel to get you going again.
If you have breakdown cover with RAC, their wrong fuel recovery service will drain the contaminated fuel and provide you with enough clean fuel to start moving again. Their fuel patrols are trained mechanics accredited to work on petrol station forecourts.
If you have cover with Admiral Breakdown, call their 24-hour Breakdown assistance team, who will arrange for a specialist to perform a 'drain and flush procedure'.
If you have cover with AA, they will come to you to replace the fuel, usually on the same day. Their Assist team is available 24/7 to take your call. They will drain the tank, add the correct fuel, and get you back on the road in around 30 minutes.
If you have cover with Start Rescue, they will provide a drain and flush up to £250, including up to 10 litres of the correct fuel.
If you don't have breakdown cover, you can still get instant cover from providers like RAC and AA.
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Check the type of fuel, amount, and time elapsed
If you've put the wrong fuel in your car, it's important to act quickly and not turn on the ignition or start the engine. The steps you need to take can vary depending on the type of fuel, the amount of wrong fuel, and how long it has been since you added the wrong fuel.
Firstly, identify the type of fuel you've put in. If you've put petrol in a diesel engine, this is a serious situation that requires immediate attention. Petrol in a diesel engine can strip the lubricant, causing the pumps to run dry and potentially damaging them due to metal-to-metal contact. If you have a common rail diesel engine (CRDi or HDi), be extra cautious as repairs or replacements can be expensive. On the other hand, if you've put diesel in a petrol engine and haven't started the engine, it may not cause permanent damage but still needs to be flushed out properly.
The amount of wrong fuel also matters. The more wrong fuel you've added, the worse it is for the engine, leading to a longer repair time. Even if you've only added a small amount of the wrong fuel, it's important to take action and get it drained to prevent potential damage.
Time is also a critical factor. The longer you leave the wrong fuel in your car, the more damage it can cause, and the longer the recovery time will be. If you've left the wrong fuel in your car overnight, for example, the process to fix it will likely be more time-consuming and complex.
Remember, while you can try to drain the wrong fuel yourself using methods like siphoning, it's always best to seek professional help. A skilled mechanic will be able to efficiently diagnose the issue, flush out the incorrect fuel, and get your car running smoothly again. Breakdown cover can also be extremely helpful in these situations, providing you with peace of mind and assistance when you need it most.
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Siphoning: use a hose to drain the wrong fuel
If you've put the wrong fuel in your car, it's important to act quickly and not turn on the ignition or start the engine. While this mistake can be costly, there are several ways to drain the wrong fuel from your vehicle, including siphoning.
Siphoning is a common method of draining fuel from a car. It involves using a hose to manually transfer the fuel from the tank to a container. To do this, you'll need a hose, a container to hold the fuel, and a good seal around the fuel filler neck.
- Place a drain pan under the fuel tank to collect the fuel.
- Locate the gas tank under your car. It should line up with where you pump gas into your vehicle.
- Insert the hose into the tank, creating a seal around the filler neck.
- Use your mouth or a pump to create suction. If using your mouth, be extremely careful to avoid swallowing any fuel or inhaling the fumes, which can be hazardous.
- Keep the siphon in place until all of the fuel has been drawn out of the tank.
- Once the tank is empty, remove the hose and dispose of the fuel safely. Do not pour the fuel down a drain or in any other unapproved location.
- Refill your tank with the correct type of fuel.
While siphoning is a simple and effective way to remove fuel from your car, it can be messy. If you're uncomfortable with the process or don't have the necessary equipment, consider using a professional fuel drain service. These services use specialist equipment to safely and efficiently remove contaminated fuel from your car.
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Use a professional fuel drain service
If you're uncomfortable draining the fuel yourself or don't have the necessary equipment, you can always call a professional fuel drain service. These services are widely available across the UK and can be called to your location 24/7. They use specialist equipment to safely and efficiently remove contaminated fuel from your car and flush out your fuel system to remove all traces of the wrong fuel. While this option can be more expensive than other methods, it's often the safest and most effective way to get your car back on the road.
The AA offers a fuel draining service that gets rid of fuel in a safe and environmentally friendly way. They can get you back on the road again in around 30 minutes of arrival. When you speak to their operators, they’ll be able to tell you how much it will cost. All you have to do is pay over the phone, and a Patrol will make their way to you. There are no hidden extras and nothing to pay at the roadside when they’re done. Their technicians all hold a Safety Pass Alliance (SPA) passport for dealing with fuel on petrol forecourts.
If you have business breakdown cover with the AA, they can help you avoid expensive repairs and get your vehicles back on the road. They provide 24/7 roadside assistance. You can call them on 0800 072 7420 or 0330 053 0352. If you have breakdown cover with them, you can also use their app to get help. Even if you don’t have cover, you can still get instant breakdown cover.
Fuel Fixer also offers a 24/7 wrong fuel cleanup crew for assistance.
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Frequently asked questions
The first thing to do is not to turn on the ignition or start the car. If you've already started driving, stop the car and switch off the ignition as soon as it's safe to do so. Then, put the car in neutral and call a professional mechanic or a fuel drain service to come and drain the wrong fuel.
A professional mechanic will drain and flush your fuel tank to remove all traces of the wrong fuel. They may also use specialist equipment to safely and efficiently remove contaminated fuel from your car. If you have breakdown cover, you can use their app or call them to get help.
To prevent putting the wrong fuel in your car, it's important to check what fuel is recommended for your vehicle. This information is often shown on a sticker inside the fuel flap. You should also not get fuel if you're in a hurry, hungry, or stressed, as you're more likely to make a mistake.
