If I fill my car with the wrong fuel, will it die?

(Photo Credit: freepik)

Filling your car with the wrong fuel needs to be fixed immediately before it's too late!

Sometimes people forget which type of fuel their car needs, or we might say the wrong thing ourselves, and in some cases, it can even be due to a mistake by the gas station staff.

If a mistake does happen, don't be complacent and think it's no big deal because it's just fuel, as long as the car can keep running. In reality, filling your car with the wrong fuel can seriously damage it.

What happens when you fill your car with the wrong fuel?

In the case of a diesel engine filled with gasoline:

• There will be more black smoke than usual, the engine will misfire, and eventually, the car will stop running.
• The car will not be able to restart.
• The fuel injectors will spray fuel into the combustion chamber, causing it to ignite too quickly, leading to a loss of power and the engine shutting down.
• The fuel system components may become damaged.

In the case of a gasoline engine filled with diesel:

• The fuel injectors will clog and not spray fine mist, making it difficult for the spark plugs to ignite the fuel, causing the engine to stop.
• The fuel filter may clog, and the spark plug electrodes may become coated with soot.
• The engine will make noise when accelerating, the acceleration will be slower than usual, and the car will not perform well at high speeds.
• The check engine light will illuminate on the dashboard.

(Photo Credit: freepik)

What to do if you realize you've filled your car with the wrong fuel?

If you know before starting the car:

• Do not start the car under any circumstances.
• Inform the gas station staff and ask them to contact a mechanic to drain the incorrect fuel from the tank completely.
• Add the correct fuel just enough to start the car, about 5-10 liters.
• Start the car and let the engine idle at around 850+/-50 RPM without revving the engine.
• Check if any warning lights appear on the dashboard (if no warning lights appear, it indicates everything is normal).
• Turn on various accessories to increase the engine load, such as turning on the air conditioning, all lights, and turning the steering wheel fully left and right, then observe if the engine shakes or is about to stall.
• Shift into D gear or press the clutch and shift into 1st gear for manual transmissions, then gently accelerate to move the car.
• Drive at low RPM for a while, wait until the engine operates normally, then gradually increase the engine speed.

If you realize after starting the car:

• Turn off the engine immediately.
• Inform the gas station staff and ask them to contact a mechanic to drain the incorrect fuel from the tank completely.
• Remove and replace the fuel filter.
• Remove the fuel injectors (diesel or gasoline) and spark plugs (gasoline) to clean or replace them.
• Remove the diesel engine's injector pump and send it to a diesel injector testing shop (this step is not necessary for gasoline engines).
• Remove the engine cylinder head to check for warping (bent head), and inspect the intake and exhaust valve stems for damage. If damaged, they may need to be replaced.
• After completing all the steps above, reassemble everything, then add about 5-10 liters of the correct fuel.
• Start the engine and let it idle at around 850+/-50 RPM without revving the engine.
• Check if any warning lights appear on the dashboard (if no warning lights appear, it indicates everything is normal).
• Turn on various accessories to increase the engine load, such as turning on the air conditioning, all lights, and turning the steering wheel fully left and right. Then observe if the engine shakes or seems about to stall.
• Shift into D gear or press the clutch and shift into 1st gear for manual transmissions, then gently accelerate to move the car.
• Drive at low RPM for a while, wait until the engine operates normally, then gradually increase the engine speed.

How to prevent filling your car with the wrong fuel:

• Start with yourself by staying focused when telling the gas station staff which type of fuel you need. Nowadays, fuel names can be quite similar, so make sure to remember and state it correctly.
• Pay attention while the staff is about to fill your car to ensure they are using the correct fuel nozzle.
• Check the receipt to verify the details of the fuel fill-up. If an issue arises, you will have proof to confirm the mistake.

If you accidentally fill your car with the wrong fuel, the first thing to do is stay calm and immediately inform the staff so the issue can be resolved as quickly as possible. Don't delay, as prolonged exposure can cause serious damage to the engine system.

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