Ever wonder what happens if you put the wrong gas in the car? This may seem like something of a freak accident, but this is something that actually does happen on a relatively common basis. What happens next generally depends on the type of fuel mix-up that occurred.
In some situations, it presents a minor issue that resolves itself. In other situations, it can cause major damage to your car’s engine.
So what happens if you put the wrong gas in your car? Here are some of the possible things that can happen, as well as what you should do in the event that it does.
1. What Happens if You Put Diesel Fuel in a Gasoline Engine (diesel in petrol car)
As you may know, the composition of diesel fuel and gasoline are starkly different. So, you can realistically expect something terrible will happen if you somehow fill diesel into a gasoline engine. - diesel in petrol car
Diesel is a type of fuel that is relatively difficult to combust, and virtually all gasoline engines are not designed to burn this type of fuel. Because of the inability of gasoline engines to use diesel as fuel, your motor will eventually shut off once all the remaining gasoline in the tank is consumed.
Placing diesel fuel in a gasoline engine is relatively uncommon because of the differences in the nozzles used for pumping these two types of gas. However, if it does happen, it is recommended that you turn off the engine as soon as you realize your mistake.
This is to prevent potentially serious damage to internal engine components. The solution is to drain out both the gas tank and the fuel lines.
While you can theoretically do this yourself, it is best to ask for professional help in draining your fuel lines.
2. What Happens if You Put Gasoline in a Diesel Engine
The differences between diesel and gasoline fuels become more pronounced in a diesel engine. In contrast to the gasoline engine, a diesel engine can sustain significant damage almost immediately after being filled with gasoline. This is because the qualities of gas are significantly different compared to diesel fuel. Gasoline is more combustible, meaning it will detonate much faster, causing misfiring, knocking, and potentially permanent damage to your engine.
Also, diesel fuel doubles as a lubricant, so you can expect friction inside the motor to be extremely high, resulting in more damage.
Just like with gasoline engines, as soon as you realize that you’ve placed the wrong fuel, you’ll need to shut off your diesel car right away. From there, you’ll need to have both your gas tank and fuel lines wholly drained. This must also be done by a qualified mechanic, as improperly draining can still cause damage to your engine. Never force to drive your diesel car with gasoline fuel. Have it towed, if necessary, as the potential damage to your vehicle can end up being more costly than the price of towing.
3. What Happens if You Put High-Octane Fuel on an Engine That Doesn’t Need It
What happens if you add premium gasoline to a car that doesn’t require it? This mistake is more common than other gas mix-ups because the fuel nozzles used are similar. Also, there are a lot of motorists who don’t necessarily know the difference between octane levels. Also, there is a prevailing belief that going for a higher octane fuel is better for your car as it boosts performance. But what exactly happens if you put high-octane fuel in a vehicle that doesn’t need it?
The results generally depend on the type of engine you are running, but commonly, this neither helps nor hurts your car’s performance or durability. In some cases, going for higher-octane fuel does boost performance because of more straightforward burning. However, for most consumer fuels, the power boost is not that significant.
Also, there are some engines that aren’t designed to burn premium fuel, resulting in lower power and fuel efficiency. However, this mistake should not cause significant damage to your car. Just fill your car with the right fuel the next time you fill up your car, and eventually, the problem will correct itself.
4. What Happens if You Put Low-Octane Fuel on an Engine That Requires High-Octane Fuel
What happens if you add low-octane fuel in an engine that requires high-octane premium gasoline? Some people do this to “cheat” on fuel costs, thinking that doing this does not cause any problems with their car. However, mechanics will tell you that this fueling mistake is more fatal than putting higher-octane fuel in a car designed to run on low-octane fuel. This is because the side effects of such filling errors can destroy your motor.
If you fill up an engine designed to run using premium gas with low-octane fuel, you will notice the effects almost right away. There will be a reduction of the engine performance, with the degree of losses depending on the octane gap.
Prolonged use of low-octane fuel will cause alterations in fuel detonation, which can lead to erratic combustion and damage to your engine’s internal components. It also leaves your engine prone to overheating. It is essential that you switch to premium fuel right away as soon as you can refuel your car.
What to do if You Put wrong gas in the car
Due to multiple reasons, filling up your car with the wrong fuel is a relatively common occurrence.
While such cases usually don’t end up causing serious and permanent damage to your engine, it is important that you avoid filling up the wrong gas in the car. In the event that it does happen, your mode of action depends on the situation.
For gas/diesel mix-ups, diesel in petrol car, a prompt drain is necessary to prevent internal damage to your car. In cases of filling up your car with the wrong octane of fuel, your car usually compensates so that no immediate damage may happen. However, it is important that you fill your engine up with the correct fuel right away.
If you experience any major issue (for ex., significant power loss, overheating, knocking, irregular noise), call your mechanic right away.
Simon graduated with a Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Degree. He has over 20 years of servicing experience in both Japanese and German car dealerships. He now acts as a freelance mechanic’s instructor for local schools.
I always heard that putting the expensive gas in a car that just took reg unleaded wouldn’t really do much, but my friend claimed it helped his car performance a lot. I think he just poured money down the drain tbh. I also had a friend that had a lexus and put regular unleaded gas in it and the engine would knock but she still kept driving it…
This is a very enlightening as even me gets the two mix together. I accidentally put premium gas in my car many times too as I thought it will not make a difference. This article proves me otherwise and I should take notes.
What happens if you put the wrong gas in the car? Well this is a fatal mistake because the car is not designed to receive this type of fuel, we will end up paying the errors of lack of concentration with money.
I see, so these are the wrong gas in car symptoms to look out for and why there is a need to be aware what type of fuel your car or any type of vehicle runs on. I hope people would be really aware of these things and save them from wasting thousands because of that kind of fatal error.
I have always wondered what happens if you put the wrong fuel in your car and what if you put wrong gas in car. Thanks to this post for giving me a good response. You just made my day cool.
What an awesome information about what happens if you put the wrong fuel in your car. Then I have to read and see that people might do mistake. Thanks for this write up
Its important to be able to identify wrong gas in car symptoms..the type of mixture will determine how to deal with it..some mistakes are costly though.. One just need to be really careful
We should all remember what happens if you put the wrong fuel in your car. We should all be very careful and we should follow the tips to make sure that we are conditioning it very well.
I once did this, putting diesel into my petrol engine. What if you put wrong gas in car? Dont panic, here are things to do if it happens again.
We go to the petrol bunk…ask the person to put fuel and leave. Never have thought about the impact. Many of our car’s problems could be due to the wrong gas in car symptoms.
I accidentally put premium gas in my car and my heart skipped. Now I know what can happen to my engine and what to do. Thanks for this great piece
I find this post very interesting. I have never asked myself “what if you put wrong gas in car?”.
This is why asking about what engine your car has upon buying it is vital because is not you may end up putting diesel in a gas car and vise versa. I have done that many times before and thank god I stopped as soon as I knew. Repairs are expensive you know.
putting diesel in a gas car may be a mundane thing motorists do everytime but putting the wrong gas in a car might be a freak accident that can cost us a lot of money in repairs. knowing what to do when this thus happen can save a motorist a bucket load of cash..thanks for posting
I put diesel in a gas car and already drove like 5km before knowing. I panic and thanks to my mechanic. Now I can confidently say I know things about this mistake, it wont happen again. And if it happens, I know what to do
What happens if I mix premium and regular gas? It can cause a permanent damage that might require a total change of engine or its parts. We should be careful
Well, putting diesel in a gas car is a big mistake that really should be avoided. It is better to be more careful so that nothing bad happens, everything has been explained well here.
Thanks for this helpful piece. My sister once filled her car with diesel by mistake and it wasn’t pleasant. I can only imagine the repercussions of what happens when I put regular gas in a premium car. I’m sure these can be costly mix-ups, so it’s important to be extra cautious.
Putting diesel in a gas car is something no one would like to run into. The potential damage top the engine can be too costly.
I have always wondered what happens when I put regular gas in a premium car. Thanks for explaining it in such intricate detail. I will be sure not to make that mistake.
Whenever I put diesel in a gas car the first thing I do is turn off the engine and seek professional help. It actually happens more often than people would think.
This article correctly answers the question what happens if I mix premium and regular gas. There is so much to be learnt from this.
If ever I put diesel in my car and drove that would be detrimental. It can be very costly too in the long run.
Putting diesel in a gas car is one of the gravest mistakes anyone can make. It happened to me once and it was a real nightmare!
You did great to answer the age old question ‘what happens when I put regular gas in a premium car.’ I honestly had no idea the result could be so devastating.
Until today I didn’t know what to do should I put diesel in a gas car. At least now I have a solution to this.
You putting diesel in a gas car is like inviting death to come take one. Always be guided to be safe. Thanks for this lifeguarding post.
So what happens if I mix premium and regular gas. I must say it’s some really interesting information.
Every car owner’s nightmare is putting diesel in a gas car. It could spell the end for the engine.
I am surprised to learn that this is what happens if I mix premium and regular gas. I hope I never get to make that dreadful mistake.
woW! thanks for the info! i always thought that what happens when I put regular gas in a premium car or you mixed up premium and regular gas.
Wow, I had no idea that feeling the car with the wrong fuel could cause such damages. Now I understand much better what happens if I mix premium and regular gas
Wow, I had no idea that filling the car with the wrong fuel could cause such damages. Now I understand much better what happens if I mix premium and regular gas.