Hire cars catch people out. You're driving something unfamiliar, the fuel type isn't always obvious, and you're often tired after a flight or a long drive. If you've just put the wrong fuel in a rental car in Canberra or regional NSW, don't panic. What you do in the next few minutes matters more than the mistake itself.
What to do right now
- Keep the engine off. Don't start the car, not even to move it a few metres.
- Don't turn the ignition on. In many cars, switching the ignition on primes the fuel pump and starts drawing the wrong fuel through the system.
- Put the car in neutral and push it clear of the pump if it's safe and the service station staff are happy to help.
- Call RoadHelp on 0498 338 188. We're a 24/7 mobile wrong-fuel rescue service and can usually fix the problem where the car is.
If you've already started the car or driven off, stop as soon as it's safe, switch off and call. Tell us exactly what happened so we can plan the job properly.
Why misfuelling happens so often in hire cars
Most people know what goes into their own car without thinking about it. A rental is different. Hire fleets often include diesel SUVs and utes alongside petrol hatchbacks and sedans, and the same model can come in both petrol and diesel versions.
A few common traps:
- You normally drive a petrol car and fill up out of habit.
- The fuel cap label is small, faded or hidden inside the flap.
- The car is a diesel SUV that looks and drives much like a petrol one.
- You're rushing to return the car with a full tank before a flight.
Petrol going into a diesel tank is the most common mix-up. Our petrol in diesel guide explains why it matters and what's involved in fixing it.
Tell the hire company early
It's their vehicle, so let the rental company know what's happened. Their roadside or customer service number is usually on the key tag, the windscreen sticker or your rental agreement.
Hire companies handle misfuelling in different ways. Some have their own process or a preferred provider, and many rental agreements treat misfuelling separately from normal damage cover. Read your agreement or ask them directly so you know where you stand before any work is done. If they're happy for you to arrange a mobile fuel drain, give us a call and we can talk you through the next steps.
Keep a note of the time, the service station, the fuel you put in and roughly how much. That makes the conversation with the hire company, and with us, much easier.
What a mobile wrong-fuel rescue involves
With a mobile service, the work usually comes to the car rather than the car being moved. In general terms, the wrong fuel is drained from the tank, the fuel system is flushed where needed, and the car is refuelled with the correct fuel so it can be started and checked.
If the engine hasn't been started, the job is generally simpler. If it has been started or driven, more of the fuel system may need attention. That's why the first step, keeping the engine off, is so important.
The price depends on your location, the vehicle, the time of day and whether the engine was started, so we don't quote a fixed figure online. Call for a quote and we'll give you a clear answer for your situation.
Where we can help
RoadHelp covers all of Canberra, including Belconnen, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong, Woden, Weston Creek, Molonglo, the Inner North and the Inner South. We also cover surrounding NSW, including Queanbeyan, Yass, Murrumbateman, Goulburn, Marulan, Collector, Cooma and Jindabyne.
That takes in a lot of hire-car journeys: trips out of Canberra Airport, drives down the Hume Highway from Sydney, and holidays heading towards the Snowy Mountains. If you're filling up on the way through, see our wrong fuel help in Goulburn page.
How to avoid it next time
- Check the fuel type when you pick up the car. Look at the label inside the fuel flap and ask the hire desk if you're unsure.
- Take a photo of the fuel cap label so you have it on your phone.
- Read the pump label as well as the colour of the nozzle, since colours vary between brands.
- Slow down when you refuel, especially before returning the car to the airport.
Wrong fuel in a hire car? Call RoadHelp
If you've put the wrong fuel in a rental car anywhere around Canberra or nearby NSW, keep the engine off and call RoadHelp on 0498 338 188. We're available 24/7, no membership is needed, and we'll give you a quote over the phone.
