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| Time to refuel - Proceed with caution |
As fleet managers try to mitigate the rising costs of fuel, another budgetary headache has reared its’ head. A report in The Times (£)suggests that ‘misfuelling’ – putting diesel in a petrol car or vice-versa – is costing organisations and individuals thousands of pounds every year. Diesel drivers are most at risk, and as the majority of leased vehicles now run on diesel, tackling the issue should be a concern for fleet managers as another way to cut fleet costs. So what’s causing the problem and how can it be avoided?
Public sector organisations have been hit particularly hard: the Metropolitan Police alone spent £172,970 repairing vehicles damaged by this practice, a worrying 15.9% of their total fleet. Other forces posted similar figures – with both Essex and Leicestershire reporting problems with around 15% of their fleets respectively.
Statistics like this can be a concern for fleet managers, as this cost may not be fully accounted for in initial costings or ongoing budgets, but there are simple steps that can help reduce the likelihood of such incidents.
Fuel Fill Tips
When filling-up at the petrol station, or as it should more accurately be known, the multi-fuel station, common sense is key. Taking time to fuel a vehicle is likely to prevent mistakes. Warning stickers and colour coding are commonly used on modern vehicles to alert the driver to the appropriate fuel; the key ring or fuel cap are also useful places for reminders! Ford has even gone as far as fitting diesel tanks in a way that petrol nozzles simply won’t fit.
If the wrong fuel is put in, avoid starting the engine, or if it has been started, pull over as soon as is safe. If less of the incorrect fuel is circulated through the engine then the damage should be less serious – and less expensive. LeasePlan is able, through an external partner, to provide and fit a device to prevent misfuelling: further details are available on http://www.brooklandsinnovations.com/dieselkey/
Initial awareness, visible reminders, and knowing what to do once a mistake has been made are key to reducing the rate, and severity, of misfuelling incidents.
