Both gas and diesel engines are internal combustion engines. They are in charge of turning the chemical energy in fuel into mechanical energy that moves the pistons in the engine's cylinders up and down. This lets your vehicle's wheels turn in a circular motion.
Both engines turn fuel into mechanical energy
through a series of combustions, but they do it in different ways. A gas engine
mixes fuel with air, which is then compressed by the pistons and set on fire by
spark plugs.
The diesel engine, on the other hand, doesn't
have spark plugs like the gas engine. It squeezes and heats the air and injects
fuel into a combustion chamber. The engine then ignites the fuel, giving your
car power.
Most cars today are smart enough to know the
difference between gas and diesel. They have electronic fuel management systems
that can tell when gas is mixed up and adjust the timing of the spark plugs and
the fuel injection to make up for it. Even with all this new technology, it's
best to always use the type of gas that your car's manual says to.
In the best case, you notice that your engine isn't running as well as it should, and your gas mileage goes down. When it's time to fill up again, switch back to premium. Worst case, you hear rattling or a high-pitched sound, which means the fuel isn't burning right and could be a sign of damage. Stop the car and call an auto mechanic.
Diesel
and unleaded fuels are very different and mixing them can be expensive. Even
though this mistake is less likely because the pumps are different colors and
the nozzles are different shapes, it does happen.
If
you fill up your diesel-powered car with unleaded gas by mistake, you should
realize your mistake before you start the engine. Damage can be done just by
turning the key in the ignition. Diesel fuel lubricates, while unleaded fuel
gets rid of it. If you put the wrong type of gas in a diesel engine, the fuel
pump, filter, and injectors could be damaged. Call for a tow truck and take
your car to Central Florida Transmission Repair where our mechanics can drain
the gas tank and flush the fuel lines.
If
you put diesel fuel in a car that needs unleaded gasoline, the car might not start at
all. Simply put, gas engines can't combust diesel fuel. This might also need a
tow and a tank drain. This can cost anywhere from $500 to thousands of dollars.
Ensuring your car is filled with the correct
kind of fuel is essential.
