If you’ve ever taken a look at your vehicle’s manual, then you’ve likely noticed that it doesn’t just call for gasoline–it calls for a particular type of gasoline. It should go without saying that you should stick with that recommendation, but many drivers are curious to know what happens if they mix things up by mistake. The team at our Toyota service center serving Bridgewater has the answers!
Leaded vs Unleaded
The first thing you’ll notice is that your vehicle calls for unleaded gasoline. For a long time, leaded fuel was used as an octane booster; today’s cars aren’t designed to process this sort of fuel. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about it since leaded fuel is only used in a few countries overseas these days. Instead, most fuel today uses ethanol to boost octane.
Ethanol
At most gas stations, you’ll see something along the lines of “contains up to 10% ethanol” on the fuel pump. This is perfectly fine for modern vehicles. E85 fuel, though, which contains a much higher ratio of ethanol, should only be used in vehicles that are specifically labeled as Flex-Fuel vehicles.
If you accidentally fill up with E85, don’t worry. Experts agree that a one time misfueling shouldn’t cause any permanent damage. Simply ride it out, and add regular fuel to the mix as you go through the tank.
Gas vs Diesel
Accidentally filling a gas vehicle’s tank with diesel is a more serious mix up, and will require a trip to our Toyota repair shop serving Bridgewater. If you notice the mistake before running your vehicle, don’t start it. Simply have it towed right away, as running the engine will only cause more damage to your fuel system. If you do run the engine, shut it off as soon as you notice the mistake and have the vehicle towed.
The different combustion properties of diesel fuel, combined with diesel fuel’s lubricating properties, can cause severe damage to the fuel system and engine of a traditional gasoline vehicle The sooner you have the system drained and the damage assessed, the easier and more affordable the necessary repairs will be.
If you have specific questions about your vehicle’s specifications and fuel requirements, don’t hesitate to ask our experts. We invite you to contact us online or to call the Toyota of Morristown team directly at (973) 540-1111 today!