Fueling your car is one of the most straightforward tasks that accompany driving. However, sometimes drivers mistakenly put the wrong type of gas in their car. Here’s what you need to know about accidentally filling up with the wrong type, and when you should call for 24-hour roadside assistance.

Octanes

What to Do If You Use the Wrong One

This is the most common type of mistake because octane pumps are all next to each other and often look very similar. Fortunately, only one instance of using the wrong octane will cause damage to your car.

Should you fill your tank with a higher octane than necessary, you’re likely okay. Accidentally using a higher octane means you simply spent more at the pump than you needed. Despite the myth, it won’t actually improve the performance of your vehicle.

However, if your engine requires a higher octane than the type you pumped, you could be in more trouble. Your engine will likely perform poorly, and depending on how long you’ve been using a lower octane, your car could overheat, causing damage to the engine. If you’ve filled the tank with lower octane on accident, it’s best to call 24-hour roadside assistance to have your car taken to a nearby mechanic where they can flush the fuel system.

Gasoline & Diesel

What to Do If You Put Diesel in a Gasoline Engine

Diesel pumps are often a different color than gasoline pumps and may not fit in the gas tank’s opening. While it’s rare to mistakenly fill your gas tank with diesel, it can occasionally happen.

Putting diesel in a gasoline tank can result in damage to your car’s engine, and you’ll need to have your fuel system flushed. You’ll know you’ve made a mistake if your engine begins smoking and runs roughly. Turn the car off and call for 24-hour roadside assistance immediately.

What to Do If You Use Gasoline in a Diesel Engine

This is a dangerous mistake. Gasoline is much more combustible than diesel, and it will detonate too fast for the diesel engine, causing misfires and damage to the vehicle’s injector and fuel pump. Burning gasoline can also reduce your engine power and will likely cause costly and permanent damage to your engine.

Do not operate your car if you realize you’ve made this mistake. Utilize your preferred towing service to get to a mechanic to flush the system.

 

For light and heavy-duty towing, contact Garrett’s Towing & Recovery Service in Thomasville, NC. Their highly trained and fully insured staff provides fuel delivery, tire changes, and car lockout services to residents throughout Davidson County. Count on their team for prompt service with expert attention. Learn more about their services online or call (336) 476-3153 for more information.