What to Do if You Put the Wrong Gas in a Rental Car

Mistakes happen. If you’re driving a rental car and accidentally refuel with the wrong kind of gas, what do you do? Here’s our step-by-step guide.

Which Type of Gas You Should Use in a Rental Car

Most gas stations offer three grades of gasoline: Regular, mid-grade, and premium. If you aren’t sure which grade of gas to put in your rental car, there are a few clues.

There are usually a lot of visual cues as to the fuel type required of a rental car. You can find the fuel type listed on the instrumentation console, by a sticker near the driver, or on the fuel-door release button/switch. Outside the vehicle, you can find the fuel type listed on the gas cap or fuel door. The vehicle owner’s manual might even be in the car.

Unless the rental car company specified using premium fuel, it’s okay to use regular gas. The only time you need to use premium is if your car’s manual requires it. If the car runs on regular gas (87 octane), there’s no benefit to using the costlier premium gas.

It’s hard to mistakenly put diesel into an unleaded-fuel tank in the United States. Diesel fuel nozzles are intentionally larger than those for unleaded fuel. On the other hand, when driving in the United Kingdom, it’s possible to put unleaded fuel into a diesel tank. To make matters worse, the color-coded fuel handles are not the same as in the United States. It’s no wonder 150,000 U.K. cars are misfueled every year.

Meanwhile, the European Union just introduced a new common set of fuel labels (E5, E10, E85), to signify ethanol fuel mixtures, on newly produced vehicles and at all filling stations dispensing gas, diesel and other fuel types. These labels are on the nozzles of all filling pumps, on the pumps themselves and near the fuel filler flap/cap of newly produced vehicle. They should also appear in the vehicle owner’s manual, and they may appear in the electronic handbook available via a vehicle’s infotainment center.

We’re not going to lie. If you mistakenly put diesel fuel in a car, it’s a costly mistake, since almost no insurance plan will cover that form of human error.

5 Steps if You Put the Wrong Gas in a Rental Car

1. Do not start the car. Once you start the car, the cost of repair goes from expensive to really expensive. If you realize your mistake but never turn the ignition, the cost to remedy the problem can be minimized. This involves draining the fuel system before any of the inappropriate fuel hits the engine.

2. Move the car. Put the car in neutral. Ask someone help push the car to a safe place.

3. Inform the rental car company. Be sure to note that the vehicle was misfueled but not started.

4. Find out where to have the vehicle returned. Call the rental car company and ask where it would like the car brought.

5. Call roadside assistance. If you have your own roadside assistance, use it to get a tow back to the rental car company. Note that if the rental car company tows the vehicle, you will be charged per mile.

Do not feel compelled to find a service station to make the repair; this will violate the rental company contract and may even land you on the “Do Not Rent” list. The rental car company is likely to remove the vehicle from service, which means a loss-of-use fee, service cost, and administrative fees.

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What to Do If You Put the Wrong Gas in a Rental Car

1. Pull over safely. If you’ve already driven out of the gas station before realizing that you misfueled the car, you should pull over somewhere safe.

2. Remove the key from the ignition. The longer the engine runs the more likely you are to wreck expensive components in the engine. Symptoms of misfueling include erratic acceleration, misfires, and excessive smoke from the exhaust. If the engine seizes, you could potentially be on the hook to replace the whole engine.

3. Inform the rental car company. Be sure to note that the vehicle was misfueled and started.

4. Find out where to have the vehicle returned. Call the rental car company and ask where it would like the car brought.

5. Call roadside assistance. If you have your own roadside assistance, use it to get a tow back to the rental car company. Unfortunately, the rental car company is likely to remove the vehicle from service, which means a loss-of-use fee, repairs, and administrative fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old are you to rent a vehicle in Europe?

To drive legally in most European countries, one must be 21 years of age. Although you can rent a car legally from someone older than you, you might still be allowed to drive if you are less than 18. The age limit for renting cars is different depending on the country. In some places, you may even be able to rent a car without being older than 15.

What is the most reputable car rental company?

Hertz customer service is unsurpassed. They are always ready to help you find the right vehicle for any occasion. They offer amazing deals on cars and have a vast fleet of cars that they can deliver to all major cities. You can rent a vehicle for as little as $10 per hour.

Hertz also offers free airport pick-up and drop-off services, 24-hour roadside assistance, and even a full line of accessories and equipment to ensure you stay safe while driving around town.

You can find a top-quality experience in car rental on the Hertz site today!

What is the daily cost of a car rental in Europe?

We are unsure, but we think it is between $100 and $200 daily.

We recommend renting for at least 2 days, as there are so many activities and sights to see.

If you are willing to stay for longer periods of time, you may want to think about buying a vehicle at around $2000-$3000.

You can travel all over Europe on this way.

Also, check to see if your credit union offers rental discounts.

What is the best European road trip?

It is important to take time to stop at interesting spots along the road, rather than driving from A to B in the quickest possible.

There are many great roads throughout Europe, but none quite as breathtaking as the route from Venice to Dubrovnik.

You will be driving through beautiful scenery most of the way. There are plenty of stops along your journey to take in the sights.

The highlights include the islands of Lido di Jesolo and Torcello on Lake Garda, the Dolomites and Lake Como in northern Italy, and the walled medieval city of Carcassonne in southern France.

Which car rental company has more locations?

Hertz would have been the answer, but they aren’t listed as a provider of location-based services.

Is it possible to rent a car in Italy, and then drop it off in France?

It may not possible to rent a car through an Italian company and drive it across Europe. However, you could use a service such as Europcar, which offers rentals all over Europe. For information about renting cars in Italy or dropping them off, you will need to contact them directly.

What do I need to rent a car in Portugal?

An international driving licence is required to rent a car in Portugal. To pay for the car, you must also show proof of insurance.

A rental company may ask for your passport/national ID card to confirm your booking.

Portugal requires that you show two forms or identification to rent a car.

These documents are required to ensure compliance with European Union road safety regulations. You may not be allowed to drive the vehicle if you are unsure of your identity.

If you do not hold an International Driving License, you will require a written translation from the Driver Licensing Authority in your home country.

This document should be translated into Portuguese and accompanied by all necessary documentation. Although the cost of this document will vary depending on where it is located, it generally runs between $20-30 USD.

Please note that you may be denied access to the vehicle if you do not provide a copy of your official translation.

Statistics

You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. (ricksteves.com)
I’d say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)

External Links

How To

What to consider when booking a rental car

What are the things you should consider before renting a car?

If you are looking to rent a car, these are the things that you should consider:

There are many options for cars: small, medium, large and minivans.
Prices vary depending on the vehicle. It costs $15 per day to rent small, compact vehicles. Larger vehicles cost more.
Additional charges, such as mileage fees, will be added to the daily rental price.
Additional fees will be charged if you hire your vehicle.
Renting a car lets you travel at any hour of your choosing. But, there are some restrictions. You can’t rent a vehicle during rush hour.
You should ensure that the car you choose is within your budget. Make sure the car has air conditioning. This is very helpful in hot conditions.
If you need a specific kind of car, make sure to reserve it well in advance. Sometimes people don’t realize that they have a car until it is too late.
There are many safety features in rental cars. In an emergency, it is a good idea to have a blanket and a first-aid kit.
You might want to add a collision waiver to your rental. It is optional but it can save you money on your insurance.
You can request special needs during your reservation process or upon arrival if you have special needs.
Be sure to pack everything you own and bring your credit and ID cards.
You must be alert when driving. Concentrate on your driving and avoid distractions.
Contact the police immediately after you’ve been in an accident.
Once you finish using the car, make sure you turn it in. If you don’t, you could be subject to a fine.

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