To accidentally tank diesel instead of petro l can have negative consequences for your car. If the motor of the car was conceived to function with petrol, the accidental use of diesel instead can cause serious damage to your car. Diesel fuel in fact, has a different chemical composition than petrol, it's more viscous, which means thatit's also more difficult to be injected into the motor cylinders. Furthermore, being greasier it can clog up the exhaust pipes and valves.
The sudden use of diesel instead of petrol can cause a delay in starting the engine and a diminished potency and accelleration. In addition, there is a possibility that some mobile motor parts will overheat due to the inefficient combustion of the fuel. The overheating may also cause premature wear of mobile parts or even the complete breakdown of the engine
If you have accidentally tanked you vehicle with diesel instead of petrol, the only way to avoid damage is to remove the fuel completely from the system and replace it with the right one.Before taking this important step however, it's advisable to contact a professional mechanic for support and specific instructions on how to manage the situation. An expert auto mechanic will also be able to diagnose possible problems caused by the improper fuel used and suggest how to solve them before they become more serious.
How to tell whether petrol or diesel fuel?
How can you tell whether your rented car needs petrol or diesel? The answer depends on the type of the rented vehicle.Each car has a specific engine, designed to function with either one or the other fuel. Generally, the cars with a petrol motor will have a smaller engine and slightly stronger, whereas the ones running on diesel will be larger and will have a greater torque power.
First of all it's important to refer to the instructions of the vehicle constructor which will indicate the right fuel for our car type. There are also some external signs that we can use as a guide: the presence of a particular symbol on the outside can be a useful indicator. For example, the presence of an icon shaped like a drop might be an indicator of a diesel.
Another way to find out whether we need petrol or diesel, is to take note of the smell the exhaust has after starting the engine.If it smells strongly like garlic or acetone, it indicates that the engine is fueled with petrol. If the smell is more like gas, then our car is fueled with diesel.
Furthermore, the lables inside the car door can contain information on which fuel to use for our car.Also, a comparison of fuel prices at the near gas stations can be an indicator of which fuel is best for our vehicle.
Finally, controlling the particle filter and oil filter we can also establish what kind of fuel to use for our vehicle. If the particle filter appears dirty and bulky, it might be that we should use diesel, on the other hand, if the oil filter appears clean and light, it might mean that our car requires petrol.
What do you do if you have tanked diesel instead of petrol?
If you accidentally have tanked diesel instead of petrol, don't worry. There are a few things that you can do to solve the problem. First of all, be sure not to start the engine. Diesel is a much denser fuel than petrol and can cause serious damage to the engine if you try to start it. If you have alredy done this, go immediately to the nearest mechanic, in order to get a professional diagnose for your vehicle.
Once you have reached the mechanic, inform him about the situation and he will be able to tell you how to proceed. The mechanic is able to empty the tank and fill it with the right fuel. It is also possible that he will have to replace some parts of the motor, like filters and tubes that might have been damaged by the diesel fuel.
Even though emptying the tank is an efficient solution, it's always better to take a look at all the components of the motor before putting it together again and starting the engine. If some parts were damaged by the diesel, adequate measures must be taken to avoid any further problems.
To prevent the accidental mixing of diesel and petrol, be sure to always use separate containers for each fuel. Also, always control the lables of the fuel pump before tanking, in order to avoid expensive errors like the ones described above.
What happens if I tank a scooter with diesel?
To tank your scooter with diesel can have disastrous consequences. Diesel is more viscous and has a different chemical composition than petrol, for which components of the scooter can be damaged. If you tanked with diesel, your scooter will most probably not function correctly. The power will not be strong enough to move the scooter and there will be a long term engine damage. This causes an accumulation of water in the power system, provoking corrosion of the internal components. Furthermore diesel is dirtyer and denser than petrol and leaves residue on the internal parts of the scooter. This residue accumulates on the piston rings and valve, causing severe problems to the engine.
Consequently, tanking diesel instead of petrol can cause problems to your scooter like low power, starting problems or more serious mechanical problems like the internal corrosion of the engine. Therefore you should never tank your scooter with diesel if you want to avoid damaging it irreversibly.
Car rental: the information that's important to have
Until now we have considered how to deal with accidentally tanking the wrong fuel for your car, but what if this were to happen with a rented car? Renting a car can be the best solution for visiting our island and also enables you to reach destinations that are otherwise only accessible by public transport. During stipulation of the rental agreement we will provide you with all the necessary information regarding which fuel to tank and the fuel level at return.
Furthermore, you will find our useful contact numbers in all our vehicles for any inconvenience.
To rent a car or scooter is a pleasant experience, provided that some simple rules are followed. Be sure to be aware of all the important information before renting a car.
Happy holiday