Monday 7 December 2009

Good Garage Scheme - What to do if you've put the wrong fuel in your car


Misfuelling
You're not alone. It's estimated that at least 150,000 drivers put the wrong fuel in their car each year – one every three and a half minutes!
And the scale of the problem has been getting bigger too, especially over the last five years with growth in diesel car sales – modern diesels are so quiet it's easy to forget you're driving one, particularly if it's a second family car or hire car.
If you've put the wrong fuel in your car, don't turn on the ignition or start the engine as this will circulate the contaminated fuel and increase the risk of damage.

Petrol in Diesel
Do not turn on the ignition or start the car.
If the car's still under warranty you should check with the franchised dealer regarding their advice and correct remedial action – running with even a small amount of petrol in the tank might invalidate the warranty while some manufacturers advise that seals and filters should be renewed even if the engine has not been run.
Generally a small amount of incorrect fuel should not damage the engine as long as you have not started the car and top up fully with diesel fuel.
If you've added more than 10% (5 litres in a 50 litre tank) petrol – Drain the tank and refill with diesel.

Diesel in Petrol
Do not turn on the ignition or start the car.
This is much less common because the standard diesel nozzle at fuel stations is larger than the fuel filler neck on modern petrol cars – you have to be pretty determined and patient to misfuel with diesel as a result.
If the car's still under warranty you should check with the franchised dealer regarding their advice and correct remedial action.
Generally a small amount of incorrect fuel should not damage the engine as long as you have not started the car top up fully with petrol.
If you've added more than 10% (5 litres in a 50 litre tank) diesel – the car shouldn't be run and the tank should be drained.
AA Fuel Assist
In November 2007 the AA launched Fuel Assist, a specialist roadside service that drains, flushes and replenishes vehicle fuel systems on the spot, saving the customer both time, money and inconvenience.
AA Fuel Assist is available to the general public as well as to AA Members and will attend any vehicle providing the Fuel Assist van has enough capacity in its tanks.
The service not only retrieves the contaminated fuel but ensures that it is recycled through a waste management company with the end product being used to power cement kilns and furnaces for example.

Bookings and enquiries number for AA Fuel Assist is 0870 240 3985 (opening hours 7.30am till 7pm)
Dedicated, trained technicians – who only do fuel drains, not general breakdowns – arrive within an hour, on average.
http://www.theaa.com/fuel-assist/index.html

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