Got charged $1500 repair costs for fueling diesel into Prius 2013 4D (Zipcar)

Auto diesel and gas use the same size filler nozzles.

 

Not in the US: HowStuffWorks "What if I put diesel fuel in an automobile that required unleade"

 

I thought it was universal. Same rule applies here and has for the last 25 years or so too.

Are your fuel pumps colour coded too? Unleaded pump hoses and nozzles are green and diesel ones are black. The old leaded fuel ones were red or red and black (though leaded disappeared 13 years ago).

This link shows a regular Shell petrol pump with 4 options; 2 diesel options (normal and super diesel) and 2 petrol options (premium 95 and super 98). Diesel is black and petrol is green.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2150469/Shell-introduces-petrol-pump-attendants-recruits-staff-300-forecourts--check-tyres.html

Bet you didn't know that there are two types of diesel fuel! Also notice that the Audi convertible in the article is a TDI.

As diesel cars and diesel fuel becomes more common in the US, you're going to have to introduce a similar system to avoid misfilling.

What happens if I put petrol in my diesel car? - Telegraph

Put the wrong fuel in your car, petrol in a diesel? Call Auto Fuel Fix.

 

I'm pretty sure that here in the US gasoline nozzles are usually black and the few that have diesel color those nozzles green, making it the opposite of what you've observed for the UK. They tend to also set the diesel nozzles quite apart from the 3 grades of gasoline we normally have, making it harder to make a mistake.

A quick Google search turned up Green nozzle handle diesel? Not always! - TDIClub Forums where it seems there really is no standard.

I don't get gas much anymore (sometimes, once every 2 months or so) as I mostly drive my Leaf now. Free charging at work helps.

 

Same here!

 

There's at least three different size nozzles for diesel in the US. The big ones are usually high speed for filling truck tanks.

 

Given the nozzle size and tank restrictors, I'm puzzled as to how automotive mis-fueling can occur accidentally.

The more likely occurrence is a supplier mis-delivery, where the station is tanked full of the wrong fuel.


Station vends jet fuel instead of gasoline at pumps - Gasbuddy Gas Prices


Motorists stranded at petrol station after suppliers pump wrong fuel into tanks | Mail Online

 

Maybe I'm thinking the other way around, we've had new EMT's put gas in the ambulances before.

 

Expensive mistake? - sure. A life threatening event (IE: injuries or worse) - no.

Be blessed it could have been worse. You are able to walk away and go on with your life.

You have gained some wisdom and knowledge.

That, is a good thing.

DBCassidy

 

No placards on the tank caps?

diesel fuel only decal - Google Search

 

I think post #14 pretty much says it all.... Took 2 people....

 

according to a recent audi commercial, a woman was able to put diesel into what everyone though was a gas car.

 

I'm pretty sure all vehicles have a sticker on the inside of the fuel filler door specifying what type of fuel to use.

 

Oh yeah. Everything short of a neon sign. Not all the diesel pumps here have green handles. And when you're fueling up after a busy 24hr shift...

 

Would this not be covered under the standard damage waiver with a rental? I'd have thought you'd just have to pay a few hundred dollars in excess. Or is it different there?

 

Diesel? Have you ever driven a diesel car? Have you rented a Zipcar before?

 

Only if you pay for it.
Our local Enterprise RAC calls it the "steering wheel and keyring" insurance : so long as you bring both back, you're good.
No deductible...
Don't know if it would cover this....

 

Yeah we got those too!