What Happens If Put Petrol In Diesel Car
It’s one of those heart-sinking moments. That split second you realise you’ve put the green petrol nozzle into your diesel car. It’s a surprisingly common mistake, but what you do next is absolutely critical. The golden rule, the one thing to remember above all else, is DO NOT start the engine. Don’t even turn the key to the 'on' position.
Right now, the problem is just a mix of the wrong fuels sitting harmlessly in your tank. The moment you start the car, you pump that damaging mixture all through your engine’s delicate fuel system, turning a simple-to-fix problem into a potential financial nightmare. Taking a breath and acting calmly can literally save you thousands of pounds.
Immediate Action Plan If You Put Petrol in a Diesel Car
- DO NOT Start the Engine
- Put the Car in Neutral
- Tell the Petrol Station Staff
- Call our Misfuel Hotline
- DO NOT Drive to a Garage
- DO NOT Try to Drain it Yourself
The moment you turn the key, the contaminated fuel begins its journey. Petrol acts as a solvent, stripping the lubricating properties of diesel and causing metal-on-metal friction in high-pressure components like the fuel pump and injectors.
To really get your head around what happens when you put petrol in a diesel car, you need to understand just how fundamentally different the two fuels are. This isn't a simple mix-up; it's more like pouring sand into your engine's oil sump. The entire diesel system, from the tank to the engine.
