1-in-10 caught out by wrong fuel
Announcement posted by NRMA Motoring & Services 29 Feb 2012
An NRMA Motoring & Services survey has revealed that one-in-10 motorists have filled a motor vehicle with incorrect fuel, with almost half of those blaming confusing signage at the bowser.
The NRMA survey of more than 1,300 motorists found (17%) of those who filled up with the incorrect fuel had put petrol in a diesel engine, which has the potential to cause considerable damage to the engine. A further 5% had put diesel in a petrol engine which, means the vehicle will stop soon after starting, require towing and a fuel system service.
The NRMA survey also found that 10 per cent of those who filled up with the wrong fuel were left with a damage bill of up to $500, an additional 5 per cent said their bill reached as high as $1,000.
In addition, the survey showed men were more likely to have filled a vehicle with the incorrect fuel than women. The findings also showed three quarters of respondents (76%) incorrectly filled their own vehicle, followed by a company vehicle (11%) and then a family member’s vehicle (10%).
The NRMA has introduced a fuel evacuation service trial for motorists within the Sydney Metro area who have inadvertently filled their vehicle with the incorrect fuel type. The service where available will be free for Members during this trial period.
The NRMA’s Fuel Evacuation Units attended 39 jobs in the past three months, providing invaluable assistance to stranded motorists. An average of 49 litres of fuel was removed from each Members vehicle with the procedure taking approximately two hours.
NRMA Group CEO Tony Stuart said oil companies needed to do a better job of clearly marking the various fuels they sold at the bowser. Forty-five per cent of survey respondents who filled their vehicle with the incorrect fuel said they picked up the wrong nozzle due to confusing signage at the bowser.
“It’s clear that with so many motorists getting caught out at the bowser that the oil companies need to do a better job of clearly marking their pumps.
“The NRMA is concerned that motorists are causing damage to their cars by accidentally filling up with the wrong fuel.
“If that occurs don’t start your engine because you could make it worse – call the NRMA for help.”
Mr Stuart added the NRMA’s Fuel Evacuation Service is only successful in averting motor damage if the car has not been started. Unfortunately the survey revealed that eight-out-of-10 of those motorists who realised their mistake at the service station still started their car.
The NRMA survey also found that 10 per cent of those who filled up with the wrong fuel were left with a damage bill of up to $500, an additional 5 per cent said their bill reached as high as $1,000.
In addition, the survey showed men were more likely to have filled a vehicle with the incorrect fuel than women. The findings also showed three quarters of respondents (76%) incorrectly filled their own vehicle, followed by a company vehicle (11%) and then a family member’s vehicle (10%).
The NRMA has introduced a fuel evacuation service trial for motorists within the Sydney Metro area who have inadvertently filled their vehicle with the incorrect fuel type. The service where available will be free for Members during this trial period.
The NRMA’s Fuel Evacuation Units attended 39 jobs in the past three months, providing invaluable assistance to stranded motorists. An average of 49 litres of fuel was removed from each Members vehicle with the procedure taking approximately two hours.
NRMA Group CEO Tony Stuart said oil companies needed to do a better job of clearly marking the various fuels they sold at the bowser. Forty-five per cent of survey respondents who filled their vehicle with the incorrect fuel said they picked up the wrong nozzle due to confusing signage at the bowser.
“It’s clear that with so many motorists getting caught out at the bowser that the oil companies need to do a better job of clearly marking their pumps.
“The NRMA is concerned that motorists are causing damage to their cars by accidentally filling up with the wrong fuel.
“If that occurs don’t start your engine because you could make it worse – call the NRMA for help.”
Mr Stuart added the NRMA’s Fuel Evacuation Service is only successful in averting motor damage if the car has not been started. Unfortunately the survey revealed that eight-out-of-10 of those motorists who realised their mistake at the service station still started their car.