Drivers warned of fuel error cost

Not paying attention at the pumps can wreck an engine

A campaign has been launched to remind drivers of the costs of putting the incorrect fuel in their cars.

The AA says around 120,000 motorists a year have to spend up to £3,000 to have their engines cleaned up after putting diesel in a petrol car, or vice versa.

Now fuel sellers and producers are joining forces to label nozzles at petrol stations more clearly.

The AA thinks the confusion might be caused by two-car households and an increasing number of diesel cars.

"Drivers need to think before they put the wrong nozzle in the filler," said John Stubbs, head of technical policy for the AA Motoring Trust.

"While the estimated 120,000 mis-fuellings each year are only a tiny percentage of the total number of visits to the pumps - estimated to be four million a day - the disruption to those who are unlucky enough to do it is considerable."

Pumps

The AA's warning has been backed by the UK Petroleum Industry Association, the Petrol Retailers' Association, the Association of UK Oil Independents and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association.

The motoring organisation said the major oil companies had agreed to standardise the colours of pumps for unleaded petrol and diesel.

"In the future, once the petrol industry standardises, car manufacturers could do more - there's no reason why the filler caps and the area around the filler neck can't be more clearly marked and colour coded," said Mr Stubbs.

If an engine is started with the wrong fuel in it, it can lead to up to £3,000 worth of damage, the AA says.