DRIVERS have been warned about a simple mistake that could leave them with thousands of pounds unused, as new data shows a shockingly high number of us are making it.
Motorists can get into all sorts of trouble if they put the wrong type of fuel in their vehicles at a gas station, known as “misfueling.”
New research by comparison website GoCompare, exclusively for The Sun, has found that a fifth of drivers have misfilled their tank at least once, costing them a hefty bill to fix.
The comparison site also found that 24% of male drivers made the simple mistake, compared to 17% of female drivers.
And the number of drivers who admitted to making the mistake at least once rose to a quarter among younger drivers (those aged 25 to 34).
The RAC says around 150,000 drivers make mistakes when refuelling each year in the UK – roughly one driver every three minutes.
Depending on the type of fuel your vehicle uses, a simple mistake can mean having to replace the entire fuel system, which can cost thousands of pounds.
And if you add more than 3% of the wrong type of fuel to a car, it can cause a decrease in engine performance, stalling and engine damage, according to the RAC.
But what’s really shocking is that Go Compare found that a staggering 87% of car insurance policies don’t cover damage to drivers caused by using the wrong fuel, so many of those who make the easy mistake would have to cover it themselves.
The comparison site found that only 13% of 296 car insurance policies analysed by data firm Defaqto include coverage for the costs of removing petrol or diesel added to the wrong tank.
It was also found that 3% offer coverage for incorrect refuelling as an optional extra, but 84% exclude it altogether.
Tom Banks, car insurance expert at Go Compare, said: “You might think you would never be guilty of filling up incorrectly, but it could be an easier mistake to make than you think.
“If you’ve recently changed cars, borrowed someone else’s vehicle, or simply have a lot on your mind when you’re at the gas pump, you may soon find yourself facing a costly repair bill.”
It’s worth noting that while some car insurance policies may not cover you if you fill up with incorrect fuel, you may be able to claim a different clause.
Tom said it might be possible to claim for accidental damage or under his breakdown cover.
Some policies also include fuel draining, as well as recovery of your vehicle to the nearest garage.
Tom said: “It’s important to check the details of your car insurance to see the extent of your coverage.
“If you don’t already have fuel error cover as standard, you can add it as an optional extra and, as fuel error repair bills are often extremely expensive, this additional cover could be a worthwhile investment.”
What to do if fuel is filled incorrectly?
Incorrect fuel occurs when the wrong type of fuel is put into the vehicle.
For those who have a diesel car, that means putting it in gasoline, or vice versa.
Or, you could accidentally put the wrong type of gasoline (for example, E10 fuel in a car that isn’t compatible).
If you make the common mistake, there are a few things you should do: Steps You should take steps to minimize any damage.
The first and most important step is to not turn the ignition on – this will trigger the engine and could mean you have to replace it completely, which would cost thousands of pounds.
Tom said, “Stop and call for help away from the esplanade.”
“If you haven’t started the engine, you may be able to fix the problem by draining and cleaning the tank of the wrong fuel.”
If you turn on the ignition and start driving, be sure to stop as soon as possible and turn off the engine.
Signs that your vehicle’s fuel level is incorrect
The signs that your car has been incorrectly fuelled vary depending on whether it uses diesel or petrol. Here are some symptoms to look out for, according to the RAC:
If you have used gasoline in a diesel car, you may notice the following:
- A loud knocking noise when accelerating
- Excessive smoke coming out of the exhaust
- slower than usual acceleration
- The engine warning light comes on
- The engine stopped completely
- Your car is having trouble restarting
If you have used diesel in a gasoline car, you may notice the following:
- Your engine is failing
- Excessive smoke from the exhaust
- Your engine stops
- Your engine won’t restart
Put the vehicle in neutral and call roadside assistance, who can drain and clean the fuel system.
Then call your insurance provider as soon as possible to see if you are covered.
Other mistakes at gas stations to avoid
Callum Butler, from ALA Insurance, previously told The Sun that refuelling your vehicle while the engine is running is a mistake to avoid.
Doing this mixes fire and fuel, causing a serious fire hazard that can invalidate your car’s warranty.
A car warranty gives you protection against having to pay labor costs and replacement of certain parts if your car suffers a mechanical problem.
Callum explained that the correct way to refuel is to turn off the engine and wait for the residual heat to dissipate before adding petrol or diesel to the tank.
Meanwhile, Graham Conway, managing director of UK leasing firm Select Car Leasing, previously told The Sun why you shouldn’t keep filling up your fuel tank after hearing a clicking sound.
If you do this, you could overfill the tank, which could cause additional fuel to drain into the small drain under the intake and onto the ground beneath your vehicle.
In addition to wasting money on fuel that ends up on the ground, you could also end up damaging your tank.
Graham said doing this can “propel liquid fuel into the lines,” damaging your car’s vapor recovery system.
This system prevents evaporated fuel from escaping when the gas cap is opened by capturing it in a charcoal canister.
If you do this, you could end up failing an emissions test and facing a costly repair bill of up to £500.
Do you have a money problem that needs solving? Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected].
Additionally, you can join our Facebook group Sun Money Chats and Tips to share your tips and stories.
