Wrong fuel in your car?
If you have ever put the wrong fuel in your car you'll know how stupid it makes you feel. However don't feel too bad about it - it has been estimated that on average more than 400 people put the wrong fuel in their cars every day in the UK.
If you have 2 cars and one is a diesel and the other is a petrol, it's possible for anyone to make the mistake. You should however remember that what you do after you realise your mistake could make the difference between £300 to drain your tank and several thousand pounds for a new engine.
If you do mis-fuel your car the most important thing to remember is - do not start the engine!
How your car get's damaged
If you put petrol into a diesel and start the engine, the petrol will be drawn through the fuel pump and into the engine itself. Diesel fuel acts as a lubricant in the fuel pump of a diesel engine, petrol will have the opposite effect, causing friction in the pumps components and ultimately damage.If the engine is run for any length of time the debris caused by the friction will pass through to other parts of the engine, causing more and more damage the further it goes into the system.
It is unlikely that you would put diesel in a petrol engine as the filler nozzle on a diesel pump is larger than a petrol nozzle and so it will not fit into your tank. Hopefully you would have realised your mistake at that point!
What should I do when I have realised my mistake?
Assuming that you have not started the engine you should get someone to help you push the car out the way of the pump and contact a garage or a breakdown recovery service. They will drain the fuel tank and flush out any fuel in the hoses for you.If you have started the car then the engine will also need to be stripped down to assess the damage and you may need to have the entire engine replaced.
If you have only added a small amount of the wrong fuel you may have had a lucky escape, but you should still consult your garage before attempting to start the engine.
Would my insurance cover the repair costs?
You should consult your insurance provider as this will depend on the terms of your insurance policy.If you have had an accident that was not your fault, please call us now on 02392 484 244 for free help and advice from one of our experienced claims advisors.
No need to claim on your insurance
Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.
However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.
We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.
However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.
We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.
No excess to pay
Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.
This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.
By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.
This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.
By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.
Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle
Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.
Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.
Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.
So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.
Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.
Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.
So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.
Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs
If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.
Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.
Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.
Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.
Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.
Legal Assistance
Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.
They issues they can assist you with include:
They issues they can assist you with include:
- Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
- Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
- Recovery of all repair costs
- Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
- Seeking financial compensation for an injury
