Gas prices; am I right? Good thing we don’t live in Oregon, where gasoline prices have skyrocketed to a breath-taking $9 per gallon. But still, the price for fuel right now is astronomical, so it is no surprise that so many drivers are looking for alternatives to spending their paychecks on their gas tanks. Aside from better car care and driving habits, there really isn’t much we can do to avoid paying for the fuel we need. This realization has often inspired drivers to explore the benefits of switching to diesel fuel.

But can you put diesel in a car that takes unleaded gasoline? If so, will it improve fuel functionality? If not, what would happen if you did anyway? Continue below to learn the difference between gasoline and diesel, plus whether you can use them interchangeably in vehicles.

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Using Diesel in Lieu of Gasoline is Probably Not Possible

How old is your vehicle? Was it manufactured within the last twenty-five years or so? If yes, then a diesel fuel nozzle won’t even fit inside of your gas tank opening. Diesel fuel nozzles are differently-sized compared to standard unleaded gasoline nozzles at the local gas station, plus there is a special plate fitted under the gas cap on designated unleaded vehicles, making the insertion impossible. Sure, you could use your own fuel container and nozzle, or maybe your car’s older than twenty-five years old and without the hidden gas cap plate. Motorcycles don’t have the hidden gas plate either. But that’s not the end of the story. There are more reasons why you can’t put diesel into a vehicle that takes unleaded gasoline.

The Difference Between Diesel and Gasoline

So, what would happen if you put diesel fuel into a car that uses standard unleaded gasoline? To better understand what would happen and why, let’s explore the differences between diesel and gasoline. Compared to unleaded gasoline, diesel fuel is heavier. One gallon of diesel is a pound heavier than one gallon of gasoline.

Diesel fuel is also oily, and science tells us that oil doesn’t evaporate in the normal sense. The same can be said about diesel. Furthermore, diesel smells completely different than unleaded gasoline. So, when taking into consideration all of these differences, you can rationally come to the conclusion that nothing good would come of you swapping out your unleaded gasoline with diesel. In fact, you can expect your car to not start.

Why You Unleaded Gas Car Won’t Start if You Give it Diesel Fuel

You see, cars that are designed to use unleaded gasoline are equipped with a fuel injection system that uses fuel injectors to shoot gasoline into the cylinders of the engine. Once there, the fuel is ignited by the spark plugs, which then turns the engine over. But if you were to use diesel fuel in place of gasoline, the fuel injectors would transport the diesel into the engine cylinders, the spark plugs won’t be able to ignite the fuel. So, your car won’t start. Now, will it do any damage to your vehicle? That’s a whole other topic.

Will Diesel Damage an Unleaded Gas Engine?

Well, we know that an unleaded gasoline vehicle will not start if you give it diesel fuel, but we haven’t talked about whether it does any damage or not. Well, thankfully, no, there shouldn’t be any damage to your engine or any other system within the vehicle if you put diesel fuel in your unleaded gas engine car. However, you will need to drain the fuel tank and refill it with the proper fuel. This can be a really tedious process and should only be done if you are familiar with routine automotive work like oil changes and filter replacements. Otherwise, take your car into a local Indianapolis automotive repair shop for license car maintenance and repair services.

Does your car or truck need some fuel filter or fluid change service? Contact Northeast Auto Service at 317-475-1846 for professional car maintenance in Indianapolis, Indiana at a price you can afford. We work on all make and model vehicles, providing everything from oil changes to major engine work.

Auto Repair Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage for auto repairs and car maintenance is not included in your standard car insurance policy. Some insurance policies do include coverage for auto body work in the case of an accident or collision, but not limited liability policies. If you have the state minimum insurance coverage, you are not covered for auto body work for your own vehicle, but any other vehicles affected in the collision will be covered under your policy, but only to a certain damage cap.

To be covered under an insurance policy for auto repairs and warranty protection, you will need to either add to your current car insurance policy or seek out a separate policy, either with your same insurance company or a different one. Insurance coverage for automotive repairs is typically pricey. For this reason, it is encouraged to call around to multiple insurance carriers to compare rates and get the best deal. Your current automotive insurance carrier may not provide the best deal for auto repair insurance coverage.

Additional Considerations for Car Repair Insurance

When researching car repair insurance policies, you will find that there are different types of coverage. Different levels of coverage will render different policy prices. The more coverage, the higher the price of the policy, and vice versa. Car repair insurance policies are offered in partial or full coverage.

Another consideration is the deductible. Just like any other insurance policy, car repair insurance policies will come with deductible terms. Before being qualified for automotive repairs, you will be required to pay your policy deductible, upfront. This is something to think about since the deductible you choose will have an impact on the monthly cost of your policy.

Then there is the hassle of making an insurance claim. Everybody knows that the process of filing an insurance claim, whether for car repair or auto body work, is a complicated process, filled with all sorts of roadblocks. Ultimately, insurance companies want to pay out as little as possible for every single claim, and their employees are specifically trained to lower the value of any claim that comes through their office. This is something to think about when deciding if car repair insurance is something that is compatible with your budget and overall automotive protection needs.

Are you looking for a reliable Indianapolis auto repair shop that won’t charge you an arm and a leg for car repair or maintenance? Contact Northeast Auto Service at 317-475-1846 for professional automotive service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Request a free estimate, or schedule service, today.

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Can You Put Diesel in a Car That Uses Unleaded Gasoline?