Quick answer: before you drive a hire car away, check what fuel it takes (on the fuel flap, the key tag or the rental agreement) and take a photo of it. At the pump, read the nozzle label rather than relying on handle colour. If you do misfuel, don’t start the engine and call the rental company before anyone else.
Why hire cars are a common culprit
Summer holidays mean more long drives, more unfamiliar cars and more tired drivers. Hire cars combine all three. You might drive a petrol hatch at home and pick up a diesel SUV at the airport, and muscle memory does the rest. We cover the wider reasons in common reasons wrong fuel is added.
At the rental desk
- Ask what fuel it takes and whether it’s diesel, unleaded or premium unleaded.
- Look at the fuel flap before you leave the car park.
- Photograph the label so you have it on your phone.
- Check the fuel policy in your agreement, including what happens if you misfuel.
At the pump
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Read the word on the nozzle | Handle colours vary between fuel brands |
| Match it to your photo | Takes two seconds and removes the guesswork |
| Fill it yourself, without distractions | Many mistakes happen while talking or on the phone |
| Watch for “Diesel” on mixed bowsers | Many bowsers carry diesel next to unleaded |
If you put the wrong fuel in a hire car
- Don’t start the engine.
- Call the rental company first. Your agreement may name a provider they use, and arranging your own repair could breach it.
- Tell them exactly what happened: fuel type, roughly how much, and whether the engine ran.
- Keep receipts and photos in case of a dispute.
Misfuelling is usually treated as driver error, so the cost is often passed on to the hirer, sometimes with an admin fee. Check your agreement and any rental excess cover before you travel.
Who pays when you misfuel a hire car?
In most cases the driver does. Rental agreements usually treat misfuelling as driver error, and it’s often excluded from standard damage cover or excess reduction. Expect to pay for the fuel drain, and possibly an admin fee if the rental company organises it.
Calling the rental company first is important, because some contracts require you to use their approved provider. If they allow it, arranging a mobile drain yourself is often faster and cheaper. Keep the invoice, and read whether car insurance covers wrong fuel.
If something goes wrong with a hire car, your rights under the Australian Consumer Law still apply. The ACCC covers buying, hiring and repairing cars.
Family road trip checklist
- Know your hire car’s fuel type before you leave.
- Plan fuel stops so you’re not refuelling when exhausted.
- Let one person handle refuelling while others manage the kids.
- Keep the immediate actions checklist bookmarked on your phone.
Enjoy the trip, and take the extra ten seconds at the pump.
Frequently asked questions
Does hire car insurance cover the wrong fuel?
Usually not. Misfuelling is commonly excluded, so check the rental agreement before you drive away.
Should I call the rental company or a fuel drain service first?
Call the rental company first. Some require their own provider, and calling them protects you from extra charges.
How do I check what fuel a hire car takes?
Look inside the fuel flap, on the key tag or in the agreement, and ask at the desk before you leave.
