By Abschleppdienst Altun, Bremen. Last updated:
In short
Don’t start the engine and don’t switch on the ignition. The tank then has to be pumped out at a garage, and the towing service takes you there.
First things first
Don’t start the engine and don’t switch on the ignition. In some cars the fuel pump starts as soon as you open the driver’s door. If you only noticed the mistake while driving, stop safely and switch the engine off straight away. The less wrong fuel gets into the fuel lines, the smaller the damage.
Petrol in a diesel
This is the expensive case. Petrol doesn’t lubricate the injection system the way diesel does and can damage it. As long as the engine hasn’t run, pumping out the tank at a garage is often enough.
Diesel in a petrol car
Here too: don’t start it. Whether the tank has to be pumped empty depends on the amount. The garage decides that.
E10 instead of E5
That is normally not a problem if your car is approved for E10. You will find this in the owner’s handbook.
What happens next
Call us. We load your car onto the flatbed without the engine having to run, and take it to a garage that will pump out the tank.
Who pays?
Putting in the wrong fuel is usually counted as your own mistake. Whether breakdown cover (Schutzbrief) or comprehensive insurance (Kasko) pays anything is set out in your terms. We give you an invoice to submit.