What to Do If Diesel is Accidentally Added to a Gasoline Car?
2 Answers
First, do not start the engine. Immediately contact the 4S dealership to arrange for a tow truck. While waiting for the tow truck, clarify responsibility with the gas station and preserve all relevant evidence. Next, after towing the car to the 4S dealership, perform a complete fuel system cleaning, then refill with gasoline and test drive the vehicle. If the gas station is at fault, file a claim with them. If it was your own mistake, check whether insurance coverage applies.
I just went through this situation, don't panic. Putting diesel in a gasoline car is a common mistake because diesel's higher viscosity makes it difficult to burn in a gasoline engine, potentially clogging fuel injectors or damaging the engine. The first thing to do is stop immediately: don't start the car! Starting it would push diesel further into the system, causing more severe issues. Find a safe place to pull over, call for roadside assistance to arrange a tow truck, and don't attempt to drive it yourself. Once towed to a professional repair shop, inform them of what happened; the technicians will drain the fuel tank, flush the entire fuel system, and may need to replace affected components like the fuel pump or filter. The whole process takes time and money, but it's better than engine failure. Afterwards, I recommend developing the habit of double-checking the fuel pump labels before refueling, especially at unfamiliar gas stations. Prevention is better than cure, and safe driving starts with caution.
