Misfuelled a Rental Car? Here's Exactly What to Do

Misfuelled a Rental Car? Don't Panic — But Act Fast

Misfuelling a rental car adds layers of stress that a misfuel in your own vehicle doesn't have. There's the worry about who pays, what the rental company will do, whether your insurance covers it, and what happens if there's damage. Here's exactly how to handle it.

Why Rental Cars Get Misfuelled

Rental vehicles are disproportionately involved in misfuelling incidents because:

• **Unfamiliar vehicle** — you may not know the fuel type, especially if it's different from your own car
• **Unfamiliar location** — holiday destinations, airports, different countries with different nozzle colour conventions
• **Stress and fatigue** — picking up a rental car after a long flight, in an unfamiliar city, with a queue behind you
• **Fuel type switching** — if your personal car is petrol and the rental is diesel (or vice versa), muscle memory takes over
• **Poor information** — some rental agreements bury the fuel type in small print

Step 1: Don't Start the Engine (Or Stop Immediately)

The rules are the same whether you own the car or it's rented:

• **Haven't started the engine?** Don't. Put it in neutral, get help pushing it clear of the pump, and call for a fuel drain.
• **Already driving?** Stop as soon as it's safe. Turn off the engine. Do not restart it.

Step 2: Don't Try to Hide It

This is critical. Do not attempt to conceal a misfuel from the rental company. Drivers sometimes try to:

• Add the correct fuel on top, hoping to dilute the contamination
• Drive to the rental return point and say nothing
• Attempt their own "fix"

These approaches always make things worse:

• **Dilution doesn't work** — the contamination is still there and still causing damage
• **Returning without disclosure** means the next renter (or the rental company) discovers the problem later — with more damage
• **You're contractually liable** for undisclosed damage, and rental companies will pursue it
• **If discovered later, you lose all goodwill** and any chance of a sympathetic resolution

Step 3: Call the Rental Company

Contact the rental company immediately. Most major rental companies have a 24-hour breakdown line. Tell them:

• What fuel you put in
• How much
• Whether you started the engine or drove
• Your current location

The rental company may:

• **Arrange their own recovery and drain** through their contracted provider
• **Authorise you to arrange a fuel drain** and claim the cost back
• **Send a replacement vehicle** while the misfuelled car is dealt with

Step 4: Arrange a Fuel Drain

Whether the rental company arranges it or you do, a professional fuel drain needs to happen. The sooner, the better.

If you're arranging it yourself:

• **Call a professional fuel drain service** — we operate 24/7
• **Get a detailed invoice** — you'll need it for the rental company and/or insurance
• **Document the contamination** — we'll note the type and volume of wrong fuel removed

Step 5: Handle the Costs

Who Pays?

This depends on several factors:

The rental company's damage waiver / CDW:

• If you purchased Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or a similar protection product, check whether it covers misfuelling. **Many CDW policies exclude misfuelling** — it's often listed in the exclusions alongside things like tyre damage and underbody damage.

Your personal car insurance:

• Some comprehensive car insurance policies cover misfuelling in any vehicle you're driving, including rentals. Check with your insurer.

Your credit card:

• Some credit cards offer rental vehicle insurance as a card benefit. Check whether misfuelling is covered — many exclude mechanical damage.

Travel insurance:

• Some travel insurance policies cover vehicle damage incidents, including misfuelling. Review your policy or call your provider.

Out of pocket:

• If none of the above covers the misfuel, you'll be liable for:
• The fuel drain cost ($200–$600)
• Any damage to the vehicle ($0 if caught early, potentially thousands if not)
• Administrative fees the rental company may charge
• Loss of use charges while the vehicle is being repaired

Step 6: Documentation

Gather and keep everything:

• **Fuel receipt** from the incorrect fill
• **Photos** of the pump, nozzle, and vehicle
• **Fuel drain invoice** with full details
• **Rental agreement** showing the specified fuel type
• **Communication** with the rental company (emails, reference numbers)
• **Any repair invoices** if component damage occurred

How to Avoid It Next Time

Before you leave the rental lot:

• **Ask the agent** what fuel the car takes
• **Check the fuel cap** — it should be labelled
• **Check the key tag** — rental companies often note the fuel type
• **Take a photo** of the fuel type label for reference at the pump
• **Set a reminder** on your phone: "Rental car = DIESEL" (or petrol)