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"Christened fuel" - what is it and why is it harmful to your car?
In order for the fuel to properly power the vehicle, it must be of appropriate quality. However, it is still quite an expensive raw material, which is why dishonest companies sometimes mix it with water. What are the consequences of driving on "baptized fuel" and what symptoms may indicate that the gasoline at the station has been diluted?
- Baptized gasoline is fuel with water. It is harmful to the car.
- The number of water-in-fuel stations is systematically decreasing.
- You can complain about poor quality fuel. You can also apply for compensation.
- Check how to drain fuel from the tank?
Do you take care of your vehicle and try to buy fuel tailored to its needs? After refueling your car with relatively good gasoline, do you notice a drop in efficiency or other problems with the engine's operation? This is a sign that the fuel may have been "baptized".
“Baptized fuel” – what does it mean?
Let's start from the beginning, with a simple definition. Baptized fuel is fuel with water or diesel fuel. Currently, this term also refers to gasoline mixed with special chemical additives, which are increasingly difficult to detect. Baptized gasoline is of lower quality, despite its relatively high price. This is a way for dishonest gas stations to earn more at the expense of their customers' cars.
Baptized gasoline – not always an unfair practice
Although adding cheap additives to fuel is most often intentional, contamination of the gasoline composition can also occur by accident. Baptized gasoline may also result from, among others, from failure to comply with applicable procedures. Foreign substances may enter the fuel if it is not poured properly.
Inspections of gas stations for fuel quality
Gas stations are regularly inspected. Trade Inspection employees check whether the fuel sold there meets the standards. Inspections are usually initiated by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection - when drivers notice disturbing symptoms after using gasoline from a given station.
Such inspections apply not only to gas stations, but also to:
- fuel producers,
- company stations,
- fuel storage companies,
- fuel transport companies.
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection reports show that currently the number of water-in-fuel stations is significantly decreasing. However, this does not mean that the problem has completely disappeared.
Baptized fuel – symptoms
What will happen if you pour baptized gasoline into the tank? Symptoms may vary. The most common are:
- smoking – much greater than on a daily basis,
- poorer engine performance,
- uneven engine speed,
- greater fuel consumption.
Filling up with dirty gasoline can cause long-term problems. This includes: carbon deposits. Such contamination within the engine may lead to rapid wear of the catalytic converter or injectors.
You will probably only find out that you have filled up with petrol and water after driving a few kilometers. To prevent such a situation, it is best to use the offers of thoroughly verified companies that have been present on the market for years. Which stations use fuel can be checked in the reports of the Chamber of Commerce and the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection on the inspections carried out. It is also worth being particularly sensitive to points that offer much lower gasoline prices than the competition.
Do you want to calculate travel costs? Use with the best fuel consumption calculator.
What to do if you fill up with water and fuel?
If you have refueled with poor quality fuel, you can:
- drive them away - this is a good solution only when there is little low-quality fuel; in such a case, it is worth maintaining higher engine speeds;
- visit a mechanic - here specialists will remove the fuel from the tank and clean the entire fuel system; they will also check whether there is any damage caused by burning "baptized" gasoline;
- call roadside assistance - this is a good solution when there is a lot of fuel or you know that it may cause serious problems in your car. Then it is not worth exposing the car to the need to drive independently. It is better to call a tow truck that will take the vehicle to the workshop.
Poor quality fuel should be reported to the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection or directly to the Chamber of Commerce. You can also seek compensation from the gas station in court.
Are you entitled to compensation for poor quality fuel?
First of all, it's worth remembering that Poor quality fuel can be complained about. Importantly, it does not matter whether you use the fuel or go to the workshop. Of course, you can also try to reach an agreement with the station owner. However, if this fails, there is always the option to go to court. In such a situation, you can recover not only the costs of the faulty fuel, but also compensation for the damage.
To make a complaint, you will need proof of purchase. It's better not to throw away your receipt or fuel invoice. If the case goes to court, a mechanic's opinion, an expert's opinion and any repair bills will also be useful. It is worth remembering that you need to prove that the purchase of bad fuel is related to the damage. For this reason, if you have any suspicions, it is better to immediately notify the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection or the Trade Inspection.
Map of UOKIK stations with poor quality fuel
Even though the percentage of stations with poor quality fuel is decreasing, unfortunately you can still find them. Where can you find fuel with water? The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection has prepared a map that will help you quickly check whether the stations where you refuel are of appropriate quality.
Water in fuel is becoming less and less of a problem in our country. Unfortunately, you can still come across such gas stations. Therefore, it is worth remembering the symptoms of refueling with poor quality fuel and what can be done in such a situation.
Source: uokik.gov.pl, rankomat.pl, auto-swiat.pl
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