Putting the wrong gas in your car can cause a range of problems, from minor performance issues to serious mechanical damage, depending on the type and amount of incorrect fuel used.
Common Consequences of Using the Wrong Fuel
- Fuel System Damage: The wrong fuel can corrode or damage components like fuel injectors, fuel lines, filters, and the fuel pump. For example, diesel fuel is thicker and oilier than gasoline and can clog injectors and filters in a gasoline engine
- Engine Damage: Gasoline engines cannot properly combust diesel fuel, leading to misfires, stalling, or engine shutdown. Conversely, putting gasoline in a diesel engine can cause severe damage because gasoline lacks the lubrication diesel provides, leading to wear on pistons, cylinder walls, and fuel pumps. This can cause engine knocking, misfires, overheating, and potentially require engine rebuilds or replacements
- Catalytic Converter Damage: Using the wrong fuel may cause unburnt fuel to enter the catalytic converter, causing it to overheat and fail, which is costly to replace
- Fuel Pump Damage: The wrong fuel can cause the fuel pump to overwork and overheat, leading to failure and stopping the car from running
- Reduced Performance and Efficiency: Using a lower octane fuel than required can cause engine knocking, reduced power, lower fuel economy, and possible long-term engine damage. Using a higher octane fuel than required typically does not harm the engine but offers no performance benefit
- Environmental Impact: Incorrect fuel use can lead to incomplete combustion, increasing harmful emissions like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to pollution and health issues
What to Do If You Put the Wrong Fuel in Your Car
- Stop Driving Immediately: Continuing to run the engine can worsen damage
- Turn Off the Engine: Prevent further circulation of the wrong fuel
- Call for Professional Help: Arrange for your vehicle to be towed to a service center where the fuel tank and lines can be drained and flushed
- Flush the Fuel System: Removing all traces of the incorrect fuel helps prevent ongoing damage
- Refill with Correct Fuel: After flushing, add the proper fuel before restarting the engine
Summary
- Putting diesel in a gasoline car usually causes clogging and stalling.
- Putting gasoline in a diesel car is more damaging due to lack of lubrication and can cause engine failure.
- Using lower octane fuel than required can cause knocking and engine damage.
- Using higher octane fuel than required generally causes no harm.
- Immediate action to stop the engine and drain the fuel is crucial to minimize damage.
Taking prompt and appropriate steps after misfueling is essential to avoid costly repairs and maintain vehicle health
