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Can you put diesel in a gas car?
The other day, I was rushing to fill up my car and nearly used diesel instead of gas. Out of curiosity, what would happen if you did this?
Max Werner · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Good save—if not caught quickly, diesel can cause extensive damage to an engine designed to take gas.
For a gasoline-based engine, the biggest worry around diesel is its density. As a much thicker substance, diesel can clog your fuel pump system, affecting compression and causing the engine to turn over. Do not start your engine if you’ve put diesel fuel in to avoid this.
Once the vehicle has been towed to a shop, a mechanic can pump diesel fuel out of your tank. While low amounts of diesel (one gallon) likely won’t destroy your engine, it’s best not to drive with any trace of diesel in the tank.
The same goes for putting gas in a diesel vehicle. Gas and diesel engines operate differently and are both not compatible with the other’s fuel type. It’s always best to use your
vehicle’s preferred fuel
.Regardless of what’s in the tank, find your car the perfect
insurance
using Jerry
—the number one rated car insurance comparison app. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from name-brand insurance companies and handling your switchover from start to finish. The average user saves $887 on car insurance with Jerry.View full answer
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