What to Do If You Fill Up with the Wrong Fuel at a Gas Station?
3 Answers
If you fill up with the wrong fuel at a gas station, do not start the engine. Simply have the car towed to a 4S shop to drain the fuel and clean the fuel tank. Additional details are as follows: 1. Wrong fuel grade: If you accidentally use the wrong fuel grade, there’s no need to worry. Just switch back to the fuel you’ve been using after the current tank is empty. If a gasoline car is filled with diesel or a diesel car is filled with gasoline, do not start the vehicle. Instead, have it towed to a repair shop for fuel tank cleaning. 2. Fuel tanker present: If a fuel tanker is at the station, it means the fuel storage has just been refilled. This can stir up water settled at the bottom of the storage tank. Filling up at this time may result in fuel with a high water content, which can mildly affect vehicle performance or, in severe cases, damage the fuel system.
That time at the gas station, I absentmindedly filled my gasoline car with diesel, which gave me a real scare. I immediately turned off the engine and didn't dare start it, because doing so would pump the diesel into the engine and cause damage. I quickly sought help from the gas station staff, who were quite responsible—they arranged for a free tow truck to take my car to a nearby repair shop. There, the mechanic spent half a day draining the tank, cleaning the fuel lines, and replacing a filter, which cost me over 400 yuan. Though it was a hassle, it was still better than dealing with a major engine overhaul. Since then, I've been extra careful every time I refuel, double-checking the fuel type and labels, or having a friend accompany me to remind me not to make the same mistake. Occasionally, I reflect on how much more at ease I feel driving now that I've developed this habit.
As someone who frequently repairs cars, I recommend turning off the engine immediately if you realize you've filled up with the wrong fuel to prevent worsening the issue. Notify the gas station right away—they usually assist in calling a tow truck to transport your vehicle to a professional auto repair shop. During repairs, we need to drain the fuel tank, clean the fuel injectors and the entire fuel supply system, and also check for any residual damage to prevent future malfunctions. The repair time depends on the severity of the mistake: a small mix-up might only require simple fuel extraction, while a complete fill-up with the wrong fuel could necessitate a full disassembly, with costs ranging from 300 to 1500 yuan. Afterwards, it's worth discussing preventive measures, such as placing color-coded labels on the fuel cap or setting reminders on your phone, and double-checking the fuel type before refueling to minimize mistakes.
