It can only be a few seconds before you put the wrong fuel in your car. This could be a situation where you are in a rush to work, driving a car you aren’t used to or just the wrong pump at the petrol station. It can be a slip-up, but knowing what to do afterwards can make a huge difference. This is where fuel assist can help. A fuel assist service is a professional service for motorists who have mistakenly filled their vehicle with the wrong fuel type. This is easier to do than trying to fix the problem yourself, and a qualified technician can come to you and drain the contaminated fuel with the right equipment.
Most of all, don’t panic and don’t start the engine.
What Is Fuel Assist?
Fuel assist is a service to motorists who have the wrong fuel in their vehicles. Typically, this is petrol in a diesel engine or diesel in a petrol engine. Some specialised services are also able to address problems like AdBlue contamination.
The aim is simple. A technician comes to your site, inspects the vehicle and takes out the wrong fuel. The fuel system may also require further attention prior to filling the fuel system with the correct fuel depending upon the vehicle and scenario.
The term ‘Fuel Assist’ is a term used by AA to describe its own Fuel Assist service as a dedicated wrong fuel recovery service. Its technicians can drain the wrong fuel and assist drivers returning to the road, it claims.
What Should You Do After Misfuelling?
The first step is the engine is off at the switch.
When you realise that you have made a mistake, before you get in the car, don’t start it. Place the car in neutral and if needed, have someone assist you in carefully moving the car to a safe spot.
If the engine has already been started, stop the engine at the first opportunity that is safe. Never drive a vehicle unless the car seems to be operating normally.
The AA and RAC both recommend that motorists stop driving a vehicle if they have found a misfuelling error. Starting the engine can push the fuel through the fuel system and exacerbate the problem.
Go to a safe place and call a professional fuel assist provider.
Petrol in a Diesel Car
One of the most worrying types of misfuelling is when petrol is used in a diesel engine.
A diesel fuel system’s critical parts are lubricated by diesel fuel. The lubrication that petrol offers is not the same. This means that using a petrol and diesel fuel mix may lead to increased friction and possible damage.
Some symptoms you might experience are:
- Engine misfiring
- Loss of power
- Unusual engine noise
- Excessive smoke
- Difficulty starting
- Cutting out of the engine.
But, don’t wait until symptoms before taking action. If it is known that petrol has been put in a diesel car, turn the engine off and provide professional fuel assistance.
Diesel in a Petrol Car
It is also possible that diesel in a petrol car will cause issues.
Diesel is not burned as effectively as petrol and this can cause the engine to run poorly. There may be lots of smoke, engine may stall or restart, or the engine may misfire.
RAC advice states that possible indicators of diesel being added to a petrol car include misfiring, excessive smoke, engine cutting out/inability to restart the engine.
The safest course of action is to not use the vehicle and have the wrong fuel drained by a professional.
What Happens During a Fuel Assist Callout?
A fuel assist call-out for a professional is usually very simple.
The technician will start with asking questions regarding the vehicle and the wrong fuel. It’s helpful to include information like:
- Your make of car or bike and the type of model you have.
- The fuel that was inadvertently added
- The proper fuel to be used in the vehicle
- About how many gallons of misfueling did the pilot add?
- Whether or not the engine was started.
- If you were driving the vehicle or not
Upon arrival of the technician, they will be able to evaluate the situation and decide on the next steps.
Then, the contaminated fuel is extracted by special equipment. For some vehicles and types of contamination, more fuel-system flushing may be necessary.
Once the fuel has been removed incorrectly, it can be replaced with the correct fuel and the vehicle tested before taking off again.
Can Fuel Assist Come to You?
Yes. Mobile fuel assistance is not a requirement to towing to a garage.
A mobile technician may be able to come to a suitable site, like a petrol station, to your home, work site or to the side of the road. MR Fuel Fixer offers mobile wrong fuels recovery service throughout the UK and promotes 24/7 services.
It may be helpful when you find yourself stuck at a location that you are not familiar with, or when you need to depart a location without having to make separate arrangements for vehicle recovery.
What If You Have Already Driven the Car?
If the car managed to drive, do not presume that all is well.
If you realise that you have misfuelled, stop driving as soon as it is safe. Shut off the engine and call the professionals.
Explain what occurred to the technician. Describe the fuel that you added and the distance you traveled. This information will assist them in comprehending the situation prior to starting recovery.
The RAC urges drivers to get professional help soon, instead of driving while their fuel is contaminated.
Why Choose Professional Fuel Assist?
Self fuel removal may appear to be a cost-saving measure. Modern cars may, however, feature a complex fuel system and the location of access to the fuel tank may differ between models.
A professional technician has the appropriate equipment and experience to deal with the situation safely. They can also determine if more fuel system servicing is necessary.
MR Fuel Fixer mobile wrong fuel recovery is available for cars, vans, motorhomes, motorcycles, HGVs, agricultural vehicles and other commercial vehicles.
The service will make the stressful situation easier to deal with. You call for help, provide the relevant details and a technician comes to you.
Fuel Assist for Emergency Situations
Misfuelling is seldom done at an opportune moment. This may occur in the early morning, late at night or on a long journey.
Access to emergency fuel assist may be helpful for this reason. If you’re not able to get your car to safety, you can call a professional and have them come to you.
MR Fuel Fixer offers wrong fuel recovery services all year round in the UK. Common fuel issues it services are petrol-to-diesel, diesel-to-petrol and AdBlue contamination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does fuel assist mean?
An extra service for motorists who put the wrong fuel in their car. A technician can go to the vehicle and drain the contaminated fuel.
What should I do if I put petrol in my diesel car?
Never start the engine. Switch off the engine immediately if it’s running. Then call a professional fuel assist service.
Can fuel assist remove diesel from a petrol car?
Yes. Professional wrong fuel recovery services will also be able to replace diesel in a petrol engine and determine if further work is required in the fuel system.
Can you help if I have already started the car?
Yes. Let the technician know that the engine was started. If driving, pull over and turn off engine. Never go on a journey for no reason.
Can fuel assist come to my location?
There are times when mobile fuel assistance can be performed at your site. MR Fuel Fixer recovers the wrong fuel at convenient roadside, home and other locations throughout the UK.
How long does fuel assistance take?
The duration will depend on the vehicle type, fuel tank and amount of contaminant. A technician will be able to give you a better indication after discussing the details of your vehicle and the mis-fuelling incident.
Can you remove AdBlue from a fuel tank?
AdBlue contamination may be able to be managed by specialist wrong fuel recovery services. Specify any additions that have been made before they can recover.
Is it safe to drive after putting the wrong fuel in?
Do not drive if you have made a mistake with the fueling. If possible, shut down the engine and call professional help.
Need Fuel Assist? Get Professional Help
While filling up the wrong fuel tank can be stressful, it doesn’t have to do a number on your day. Quick action and minimizing the problem is the most critical thing.
Switch off the engine and if possible, re-move to a safe area, and contact a professional fuel assist service.
MR Fuel Fixer can recover wrong fuel on the move throughout the UK and is available 24/7. If you have filled a diesel car with petrol or a petrol car with diesel, then professional assistance can be brought to your doorstep to resolve the issue of fuel contamination safely.
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