Have you ever found yourself rushing to put fuel in your car and accidentally filled up with the wrong type? It happens more than you think. One of the most common mistakes is putting petrol in a diesel car or vice versa. While it may seem like an innocent blunder, mixing fuels can have serious consequences for your vehicle's engine. 

What is the difference between petrol and diesel?

Petrol and diesel are the two most common types of fuels used in vehicles. Petrol is a highly flammable liquid that is derived from crude oil. It's primarily used to power petrol engines found in cars, motorcycles, and small aeroplanes.Diesel fuel, on the other hand, is an oily liquid that's made from crude oil as well. However, it has a higher energy density than petrol which means it can pack more energy per unit volume. Diesel fuel powers diesel engines commonly found in large trucks and buses.One major difference between petrol and diesel is their ignition process. In a petrol engine, spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture whereas compression ignites the fuel-air mixture in a diesel engine.Another key difference between these fuels lies in their cost and availability. While both are widely available at fuel stations across the country, prices can fluctuate depending on various factors such as global supply levels or regional taxes. However, at the petrol stations which accept fuel cards, the cards can usually be used when purchasing either fuel.While they share some similarities due to being fossil fuels derived from crude oil refining processes - there are fundamental differences between petrol and diesel that make them unique options for powering your vehicle's engine.

What happens if you put petrol in a diesel car?

Putting petrol in a diesel car is a common mistake that can lead to expensive repairs. Petrol and diesel are two different types of fuels with different chemical compositions, which means they burn at different temperatures and pressures.When you put petrol in a diesel car, the first thing that happens is that the fuel pump will try to circulate the wrong type of fuel through the engine. This can cause damage to your engine's injectors and valves.As the petrol travels through your engine, it will start to dissolve any lubrication provided by the diesel fuel, causing friction between metal components. The result can be catastrophic engine failure.

How to tell if you've put petrol in a diesel car

Putting petrol in a diesel car can be a common mistake, especially if you are not paying attention. However, it's important to realise your error as soon as possible because driving with the wrong fuel can damage your car engine and lead to expensive repairs.The first sign that you may have put petrol in a diesel car is difficulty starting the vehicle or rough idling. Petrol engines ignite differently than diesel engines, which could cause issues when trying to start the engine.Another sign is an unusual smell coming from your exhaust pipe. If you've put petrol in a diesel engine, there will be incomplete combustion happening which results in unburnt fuel being expelled out through the tailpipe of your car.

How to fix a car that has been filled with the wrong fuel

Accidentally filling your diesel car with petrol can be a stressful and costly mistake. But don't panic just yet, there are ways to fix it.Firstly, do not start the engine or attempt to drive the vehicle as this will cause damage to the engine. Push your car to a safe place away from other vehicles and call for roadside assistance immediately.The wrong fuel will need to be drained out of the tank and system before any repairs can take place. This process is best left to professionals who have experience in dealing with such situations. They will use specialised equipment that sucks out all of the contaminated fuel from both the tank and fuel lines.Once all of the incorrect fuel has been removed, they'll add fresh diesel into your tank along with flushing additives that help clean out any remaining residue left behind by petrol. These products also lubricate vital engine parts ensuring they're protected from further damage caused by running on contaminated fuel.