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Driven on the wrong fuel
Most people don't notice until the car starts to judder a few miles down the road. If that's you: pull over as soon as it's safe, switch off, and don't try to restart it.
Do this now
- 1Don't start the engineDon't turn the ignition on either. Keyless? Keep the fob away from the car.
- 2Neutral and push clearAsk staff to help push the car away from the pump.
- 3Tell the cashierThey deal with misfuels every week.
- 4Call Mr FuelFixed price and arrival time on the phone.
On a motorway? Get behind the barrier first. In danger, call 999.
Every extra mile pushes the wrong fuel further through the system. A full flush — tank, fuel lines, filter, and on a diesel the high-pressure rail — removes it before it does more harm.
Signs you need us
- The car started losing power after you filled up
- Knocking, misfiring or a lot of smoke
- Engine warning or glow-plug light flashing
- The car stalled and won't restart
How we fix it
- 1Get safeIf you're on a motorway, get behind the barrier and call us from there. We'll tell you whether your car can be moved and how.
- 2Full drainTank drained completely, then fuel lines and filter housing purged.
- 3Filter and railFuel filter replaced where needed; on diesels we bleed the system and purge the high-pressure rail.
- 4Prime and testFresh fuel, system primed, engine run and checked for faults. We read fault codes where we can.
- 5ReportA written report of what we found and did — useful for your insurer, dealer or lease company.
Good to know
- On a diesel, continued running risks the high-pressure pump and injectors.
- If we find signs of mechanical damage we'll tell you honestly and point you to a garage — we won't charge for work that won't fix it.
FAQs
Driven on the wrong fuel: questions
I drove 20 miles before it cut out. Is my engine ruined?+
Not necessarily. Plenty of cars are fine after a full flush. The sooner you stop, the better your odds. We'll tell you straight what we find.
Do you replace the fuel filter?+
When the engine has run on the wrong fuel we normally recommend it, and carry common filters on the van. We'll quote before fitting.
What if the flush doesn't fix it?+
If the car still won't run properly because of mechanical damage, we'll explain what we found and help you arrange recovery to a garage.
Related
Other problems we fix
Started the engine help near you
Wrong fuel? Don't start the engine.
Call now for a fixed price and a real arrival time. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.