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Unlike the UK, a number of European countries have been proportionately greater users of diesel, including for private motor cars for some time. Some countries have actively encouraged using diesel rather than petrol by maintaining a price differential in favour of diesel. This can sometimes mean that diesel is up to 20% cheaper than petrol, which makes a big difference compared to the UK. Recent prices in Spain for example for a litre of diesel fuel were the equivalent of what the UK government takes per litre in tax, never mind the mark-up that oil companies in the UK then add in order to make a living.
As a consequence, drivers in these countries are better acquainted with diesel engines, diesel fuel pumps and the need for misfuelling prevention. So you are less likely to see campaigns on the go to warn people about the potential danger of misfuelling. Diesel may also go by a variety of different names as well. In France, expect to hear it referred to as diesel, gasoil and gazole. No matter what the name, you’ll find standard diesel pumps in most filling stations, which are completely compatible with FuelSure.
Amongst the main brands of filling station, many of which are also present in the UK, pump colour coding has been standardised to some degree. Typically, this means using green for unleaded petrol and black for diesel. Variations on a theme include some yellow pump guns for higher-priced diesel fuel (advertised as giving better mileage and cleaner burning, for example). This is also compatible with FuelSure.
As in the UK, always check the label on the pump gun, and match up the price per litre that the pump is showing with the price per litre for the fuel that you require. If the pump shows a different price for diesel for example compared to the one advertised on the filling station advertising sign, then you have selected the wrong pump - start again! Better still, fit FuelSure and your risk of misfuelling drops to zero.
Some oddities at least to English eyes still exist. In France, although it is highly unlikely that you will see it, ‘red’ diesel also exists. Using this kind of diesel in a family diesel engine car for example is also misfuelling, but not because of possible damage. It is because red diesel, which is in fact standard diesel fuel, with red colouring, is made available at lower prices than usual to people such as farmers who use diesel engines to power agricultural machinery and earn their livelihood. Its use is strictly controlled by law and nobody, farmers included, is allowed to use red diesel for any other purpose.
You probably won’t find ‘misfuelling’ or ‘misfueling solution’ in the dictionary for these countries either. If you know that you have misfuelled and you need to explain your predicament, your best bet may be to keep it simple with phrases of the type ‘I’ve made a mistake. I’ve put petrol in instead of diesel’.
In France, try “J’ai fait une erreur. J’ai mis de l’essence au lieu de mettre du diesel.”
In Spain, try “He cometido un error. He puesto gasolina en vez de gasóleo.”
Or in English, “No problem, I’m using FuelSure!”.
Or you could take the easy way out and avoid diesel misfuelling altogether with FuelSure, a simple misfueling prevention device that works for all standard fuel pumps, whether in the UK or abroad. Get all the information for a safe and pleasant vacation now by calling 0845 475 8397, or contact us here.
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