If you put the wrong fuel in your car, do not start the engine. Leave the key out, tell the station attendant, and have the car towed to a shop that can drain the tank. As long as the engine stays off, the wrong fuel stays in the tank, and the fix is usually a drain and refill. Start it, and the fuel reaches the pump, the filter and the injectors.
If you are standing at a pump in Wichita right now, call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. Tell the dispatcher it is a misfuel so the driver knows not to start the car.
5 Steps If You Put the Wrong Fuel in Your Car
- Stop pumping. The less wrong fuel in the tank, the easier the job.
- Do not start the engine. Do not turn the key to “on” or press the start button either. On many cars that alone runs the fuel pump.
- Tell the attendant. Ask for help pushing the car to a parking space. Put it in neutral and steer. Do not drive it there.
- Call for a tow. The car needs to go to a repair shop. Ask the shop if it can drain a fuel tank before you send the car.
- Keep your receipt. It shows what fuel went in and how many gallons. The shop will ask.
Both big consumer guides agree on step two. J.D. Power says do not start the vehicle under any circumstance and have it towed. Progressive says do not start the engine and do not drive, because driving raises the damage and the repair cost.
What the Wrong Fuel in Your Car Does
| Mistake | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel in a gas car | Diesel is thicker. It clogs the fuel filter and injectors, and the engine stalls or will not start | Do not start. Tow and drain |
| Gas in a diesel truck | Gasoline causes excess heat and poor combustion. It can damage injectors, pumps and sensors | Do not start. Tow and drain |
| E85 in a car that is not flex fuel | Rough idle, hesitation, less power or a check engine light. One time use typically does not cause permanent damage | Call a shop for advice before driving far |
| Regular in a car that calls for premium | Not a misfuel in the same sense. No drain needed | Fill with the right grade next time |
The first three rows are from Progressive’s guide to accidental fueling. Diesel exhaust fluid poured into a diesel fuel tank is a separate and serious mistake. Treat it the same way: do not start, and tow.
How Does Diesel End Up in a Gas Car?
It is harder than the other way around. J.D. Power notes that diesel nozzles are made larger on purpose so they do not fit easily into a gasoline filler neck, and that diesel pumps are generally labeled in green. A smaller gasoline nozzle slides right into a diesel truck’s filler, which is why that mix up is easier to make.
Handle colors are not the same at every brand. Read the label on the pump and the button you press, not just the color of the handle. It is easy to grab the wrong hose at a busy station on Kellogg when you are in a rental car, a borrowed truck or a new diesel.
You Already Drove Away. Now What?
If you drove off with the wrong fuel in your car, it may run for a short time on the good fuel left in the lines. Then the signs show up:
- Sputtering or loss of power
- Knocking
- Smoke from the exhaust
- A check engine light
- The engine stalls and will not restart
Pull over as soon as it is safe, shut the engine off and do not try to restart it. Turn on your hazard lights. If the check engine light is blinking, that is its own warning. See what a flashing check engine light means. Then call for a tow.
What the Repair Costs
J.D. Power gives these ranges for diesel in a gasoline car. The gap between the first row and the last is the reason not to turn the key.
| Situation | Typical cost per J.D. Power |
|---|---|
| Engine never started. Tank drained and refilled | $200 to $500 |
| Tow to the shop | About $100, and roadside coverage may pay |
| Engine ran. Fuel pump, injectors or catalytic converter replaced | $1,320 to $3,210 |
Those are national figures, not a quote. For how a local tow is priced, see the real cost of towing in Wichita.
Will Insurance Pay for It?
Probably not the repair. Progressive says your auto insurance most likely will not cover removing and flushing the wrong fuel. The tow is a different matter. If you carry roadside coverage or a motor club membership, the tow to the shop may be covered up to your limit.
If the station caused the problem, for example with a mislabeled pump, Progressive notes you may be able to recover repair and towing costs. Keep the receipt, take a photo of the pump and its label, and report it to the station manager before you leave.
Why Fuel Delivery Will Not Fix This
Our fuel delivery service is for an empty tank. With the wrong fuel in your car, adding good fuel on top does not solve it. The tank has to be drained. That is shop work, and the car has to get there with the engine off.
What to Tell the Dispatcher and the Shop
- What the car takes and what went in
- About how many gallons of the wrong fuel
- How full the tank was before
- If the engine was started or driven, and how far
- Year, make and model, and if it is all wheel drive
- Which station you are at and which shop the car is going to
If the shop is closed, we can use its key drop. See towing a car to a repair shop in Wichita.
Questions About Putting the Wrong Fuel in Your Car
Is a small amount of the wrong fuel okay?
Do not guess. Call a repair shop, tell them the amounts and follow their advice. Until you have an answer, leave the engine off.
Can I drain the tank myself?
Most modern cars have anti siphon filler necks, and gasoline is dangerous to handle. J.D. Power describes two shop methods: opening a drain or removing the tank. Leave it to a shop.
How long does the repair take?
Ask the shop when you call. A drain and refill is quicker than replacing parts. If the engine ran on the wrong fuel, parts may have to be replaced, and that takes longer.
I filled up with E85 by mistake. Do I need a tow?
Progressive says one tank of E85 in a car that is not flex fuel typically does not cause permanent damage, though the car may run poorly. Call a shop for advice. If the car runs badly or a warning light flashes, stop and tow it.
Wrong Fuel? Leave the Engine Off and Call
With the wrong fuel in your car, the cheapest move is the tow. Call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754 for towing services in Wichita, KS, day or night. You get the price before we hook up.