Too Much Technology In Cars ...

[Iggle Piggle]

I parked behind one of those squashed Range Rovers (Evoque?) this weekend at the petrol pumps, it was brand new and the driver had mis-fuelled with diesel.
He was too scared to start it and move away from the pumps, and the auto gearbox would not shift out of 'park' unless the engine is running. Stupid design I told him and dragged the daft car out of the way with my old 4x4 Audi, dragging his wheels as we went. I burst out laughing once I was out of site.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest !

[CokeTulip]

Not a nice thing to happen and it will be expensive to sort - if a full tank.
I'd like to know how much it costs to put right.

Probably in a hurry or not thinking...hope it wasn't someone else's vehicle.
You would think they would have some alert on the fuel cap but I guess you do need to pay attention!
If all the fuel tubes are tangled up it drives me mad as the nozzel is usually in the right place - some drivers are very messy.

[Iggle Piggle]

He said it was his bosses car...
If the car is not started or only run for a few seconds, just the tank and the lines need flushing through, not as expensive to do as the cost of fuel in the tank but on a car like that the dealers have a laugh with the price.
I'm confused how he managed to fill with diesel, the nozzle should not fit !

[bhg481]

I suspect if you read the handbook (sorry for the bad language, chaps) you'll find there is a means of getting it out of P without running the engine - there certainly is on my Volvo V70. Any Rover owners out there willing to admit they've read the handbook?

[janbee]

A HANDbook???? (I say in my best Lady Bracknell voice).

[TWR]

If the derv pump was positioned on it's own, this would not happen, although it's the driver's fault, the garage are equally to blame.

[tamborine]

you dragged a 4 wheel drive - that's mean ;(

[hc4361]

How on earth is the petrol station to blame?

[Canary42]

To blame the garage shows just what a Nannified state we have become.

The lunatics have taken over the asylum.

[sunny-dave]

You physically cannot get a derv/diesel nozzle into the neck of a petrol fuel tank - it won't fit and it won't deliver fuel.

You can misfuel with petrol into a diesel - but that is rather less of a disaster as long as you don't dilute the existing diesel in the tank too far and don't run the engine for too long.

Yes I've seen the scare stories about wrecking fuel pumps and injectors - my tame mechanic says 'unlikely unless you run it for a while'. The 'fix your misfuel' industry thrives on doing unnecessary extra work ...

[TWR]

HC, Years back derv pump stood on their own & the nostal was larger, no mistakes was made then, regards your post Canary, to a point I agree, but the system has caused that.

[TWR]

Your Incorrect there Dave.

[hc4361]

I'm aware of that, TWR, but nowadays the hoses are different colours and there is a great big label on each nozzle handle describing the fuel.
Hardly confusing

[sunny-dave]

Which part of my detailed post are you saying is wrong TWR - all of it?

[TWR]

To person that is colour blind, or a person that can not read, think about that HC. Dave, the Nostle from a derv pump WILL FIT into a petrol fill up neck.

[TWR]

(That are)

[sunny-dave]

Not far enough to deliver any fuel without getting it all over your feet TWR - the nozzle is a size bigger & won't go past the restrictor in the neck.

[TWR]

Come to our local Garage Dave, they will prove you wrong.

[sunny-dave]

So your garage has diesel nozzles with a reduced end size that will fit petrol cars? Cars that have been specifically designed to reject standard diesel nozzles?

That is mad and wrong and I've never, ever, seen it in the UK.

[hc4361]

Should a person who is colour blind to that degree be driving?

[shoota]

I think there is too much 'technology' in cars, most of which is unnecessary to the primary purpose of a motor vehicle, but which has become essential to the modern motorist.
Just compare the engine bays of a Morris Minor to that of (say) a Honda Civic yet both cars will do the same job.