Simple Habits That Can Save You Thousands
Wrong fuel mistakes happen more often than you'd think - about 150,000 times per year in the UK alone, and frequently in Australia too. But with these simple prevention strategies, you can make sure it never happens to you.
1. Add a Visual Reminder to Your Fuel Cap
Place a bright, durable sticker on or near your fuel cap that clearly states your fuel type. Choose a color-coded system:
- Green sticker: Diesel
- Yellow sticker: Unleaded Petrol
This provides a last-second reminder right when you're about to fill up.
2. Use a Fuel Cap Restrictor Device
For diesel vehicles, you can purchase special fuel cap adaptors that physically prevent a petrol nozzle from fitting. These devices (sometimes called "diesel defenders") are inexpensive insurance against misfuelling.
3. Check Before You Select
Make it a habit to read the pump label twice before you select your fuel grade. Don't assume the pump you used last time still has the same fuel - stations sometimes change pump configurations.
4. Never Fuel Up When Distracted
Avoid filling up when you're:
- Tired or stressed
- On the phone
- In a hurry
- Having a conversation
Take 30 seconds to focus solely on the task at hand. The momentary attention could save you thousands.
5. Be Extra Careful with Rental and Borrowed Vehicles
Misfuelling is much more common with unfamiliar vehicles. Before driving any rental, hire, or borrowed car, check:
- What fuel type it uses (check inside the fuel cap or owner's manual)
- Add a note in your phone as a reminder
- Ask the rental company or owner to confirm fuel type
6. Teach Everyone Who Drives Your Car
Make sure all family members and anyone who might drive your vehicle knows what fuel it uses. Don't assume they know - make it explicit.
7. Use the Same Service Station
Familiarity reduces mistakes. When you use the same station regularly, you become familiar with which pump you use and develop a routine that helps prevent errors.
8. Watch the Nozzle Color
While not standardized everywhere, many stations use:
- Green nozzles: Diesel
- Black or yellow nozzles: Petrol
However, don't rely solely on this - some stations use different color schemes.
9. Set Up Your Car's Payment System Wisely
If your vehicle has a payment fob or app linked to a fuel brand, some systems can track your fuel type and alert you to errors. Check if your provider offers this feature.
10. Create a Pre-Fuel Checklist
Develop a simple mental checklist you run through every time:
- Park and turn off engine
- Check fuel cap reminder sticker
- Look at pump labels
- Verify nozzle matches your fuel type
- Double-check before squeezing trigger
Special Situations to Watch
Multiple Vehicles in Your Household
If you drive both a diesel and a petrol vehicle, the risk increases significantly. Consider:
- Always parking them in the same spots (diesel left, petrol right, for example)
- Using different colored key fobs for easy identification
- Adding distinctive air fresheners or decorations to differentiate them
New Vehicle Purchase
When buying a new or used vehicle, especially if it uses different fuel than your previous car, put extra reminders in place for the first few months until the new routine becomes automatic.
What to Do If Prevention Fails
Despite your best efforts, if you do put the wrong fuel in:
- Don't start the engine
- Call a professional fuel drain service immediately
- Don't try to dilute it by adding correct fuel
The Cost of Prevention vs. The Cost of Repair
Prevention tools like:
- Stickers: $5-10
- Fuel cap restrictors: $20-50
- Total investment: Under $60
Compare this to:
- Professional fuel drain: $200-500
- Fuel system repair (if driven): $3,000-10,000+
The investment in prevention is minimal compared to the potential cost of a mistake.
Make It a Habit
The key to avoiding wrong fuel mistakes isn't just knowing these tips - it's turning them into automatic habits. Start with one or two strategies, make them routine, then add more until checking your fuel type becomes as natural as putting on your seatbelt.
