What Happens If You Put the Wrong Gasoline in Your Car?
2 Answers
Putting the wrong gasoline in your car can have the following effects: 1. Causes corrosion in the fuel pump and other components of the fuel system. Fuel provides lubrication and rust prevention for the fuel pump. If the fuel contains excessive water, it can easily cause internal corrosion in the fuel pump, leading to damage. Water in the fuel may also enter the engine, causing corrosion in other parts of the fuel system and resulting in poor combustion or even failure to start. 2. Damages the fuel filter. Water and other contaminants in low-quality fuel can clog the filter paper in the fuel filter, leading to insufficient fuel pressure and engine malfunctions. If the filter deteriorates, it can cause the fuel filter to lose its filtering effect, allowing impurities in the fuel to directly enter the engine and cause serious damage. 3. Damages the fuel injectors. Impurities in low-quality fuel can easily clog the fuel injectors, leading to poor combustion or even misfiring. These impurities can also form carbon deposits under high temperatures, causing the injectors to stick or even fail. If the injector clogging is minor due to occasional use of low-quality fuel, it can be resolved by cleaning the injectors without disassembly. However, if the fuel contamination is severe, a thorough cleaning of the fuel tank and fuel system is necessary. 4. Causes knocking and severe carbon buildup. Low-quality fuel has poor anti-knock properties, which can lead to knocking in the cylinders during combustion, worsening engine performance and reducing power. Severe knocking can even damage the pistons, requiring an engine overhaul. Additionally, low-quality fuel can cause severe carbon buildup, which is the root cause of many engine problems, such as difficulty starting in cold conditions, rough idling, reduced power, and valve sticking.
As a veteran driver with decades of experience, I've witnessed numerous cases of misfueling. The most common one is filling up with 95 octane high-grade gasoline when 92 octane is recommended. This isn't a major issue—just a waste of money—and causes no engine damage. However, the reverse scenario, like using 92 octane low-grade fuel in an engine requiring 95 octane, poses significant risks. Low-grade fuel tends to cause premature ignition and knocking under high temperature and pressure, which can damage piston rods or even destroy the engine entirely. Another serious mistake is accidentally filling a gasoline car with diesel. Diesel fuel can't ignite properly in a gasoline engine, leading to clogged fuel injectors and catalytic converters. The car may fail to start or shake violently, requiring immediate towing for a complete fuel system flush. My advice: stay focused at the pump—don't play with your phone—and double-check the fuel grade labels. If you realize you've misfueled, don't start the engine; call a tow truck immediately to prevent more severe damage.
