Quick answer: if you put the wrong fuel in at night, your first priority is your own safety, then the car’s. Don’t start the engine. Tell the console operator, move to a well-lit spot with help if the car is blocking a pump, stay inside the shop or your locked car while you wait, and call a 24/7 wrong fuel service.
Why night-time misfuelling is common
Tiredness, poor lighting and the urge to get home quickly all make mistakes more likely. We see the same pattern in common reasons wrong fuel is added: fatigue and distraction are near the top of the list.
Step by step
- Stop filling as soon as you notice.
- Don’t start the engine or turn the key to “on”.
- Tell the console operator. They can note it and may help you move the car.
- Move away from the pump in neutral only if you have help and it’s safe.
- Wait somewhere safe and lit: inside the shop if it’s open, or in your locked car.
- Call a wrong fuel service that operates 24/7 and give them the exact location.
- Let someone know where you are and what’s happening.
Personal safety tips
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Station is quiet or unstaffed | Stay in your locked car with the hazard lights on |
| You feel unsafe | Call someone you trust, or 000 in an emergency |
| Car is blocking a pump | Ask staff to cone it off rather than pushing it alone |
| Long wait expected | Keep your phone charged, and keep water and a jacket with you |
If you’re stuck at the roadside rather than a servo, RACV’s car breakdown guide recommends switching on your hazard lights and staying in the car with your seatbelt on when it’s safe to do so.
Don’t be tempted to drive home
It’s late and home might be close, but driving on the wrong fuel can turn a $400 to $650 drain into thousands of dollars of damage. See the long-term effects of driving with the wrong fuel.
What to tell the person you call
- Your exact location, including the servo name and the pump number.
- The vehicle make and model, and which fuel went in.
- Roughly how many litres, from the pump display.
- Whether the engine has been started or the ignition turned on.
- Whether you’re alone, so they can prioritise your safety.
Save this before you need it
Bookmark our immediate actions checklist and save the number of a 24/7 wrong fuel service in your phone now.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to wait at a servo at night?
Usually, yes. Stay inside the shop or in your locked car, in a well-lit spot, and let the staff know you’re waiting.
Can I leave the car at the servo overnight?
Only with the station’s permission. Many will let you push it to a safe spot, and a drain can be done the next morning.
Will a wrong fuel service come out at night?
Many operate late or overnight. Check when you call, and save a number in your phone now.
