How Did Diesel End Up in the Regular Gas Pumps at an Ohio Sam’s Club?
Imagine pulling up to your usual gas station, filling up, and heading out—only to find your car sputtering and refusing to start a few miles later. That’s exactly what happened to several drivers in St. Clairsville, Ohio, after a Sam’s Club station accidentally pumped diesel into its regular unleaded tanks. The mix-up occurred during a routine refueling last Saturday, but the consequences didn’t become clear until frustrated customers began sharing their car troubles online.
It turns out the underground tanks for diesel and unleaded got swapped during delivery—a rare but not unheard-of error in the fuel industry. According to the National Association of Convenience Stores, incidents like this are infrequent but can affect dozens of vehicles before anyone realizes what’s happened. In this case, the problem only surfaced after a wave of breakdowns and social media complaints.
What Happens to Your Car if You Get Diesel Instead of Gasoline?
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if diesel found its way into your gas-powered car, here’s the scoop: it’s not pretty, but it’s usually not catastrophic if caught early. Diesel is thicker and combusts differently than gasoline. When it enters a gasoline engine, it can clog the fuel filter, gum up the injectors, and prevent proper ignition. The result? Your car might not start, or it could run rough and stall out.
Mechanics say the first step is to avoid starting the engine if you suspect a mix-up. If you’ve already driven off, you’ll need to have the fuel tank drained and the system flushed. According to AAA, repairs can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,500, depending on how much diesel made it into the system and whether it reached the injectors. Fortunately, most modern gas pumps are designed to prevent this kind of mistake—the diesel nozzle is typically larger than a gasoline filler neck—but when the fuel itself is mislabeled or misdirected, drivers are left in the lurch.
How Are Affected Drivers Being Helped?
Sam’s Club has stepped up, encouraging anyone affected to contact the store directly and submit a claim. You’ll need to provide details like your membership number, the date and time of your purchase, and your vehicle’s make and model. The company’s corporate communications director has publicly committed to resolving the issue for all impacted members.
This isn’t just good customer service—it’s also a legal necessity. According to the Federal Trade Commission, fuel retailers are responsible for product integrity, and most carry insurance for precisely these kinds of mishaps. If you’re ever in a similar situation, keep your receipts and document any repairs. It’ll make the claims process much smoother.
Why Is Diesel in a Gas Engine Less Damaging Than Gas in a Diesel Engine?
Here’s a bit of good news: putting diesel in a gas car is generally less disastrous than the reverse. Gasoline in a diesel engine can cause severe damage—think major engine failure and repair bills that can run into the thousands. Diesel engines rely on the lubricating properties of diesel fuel, and gasoline strips that away, leading to metal-on-metal contact and rapid wear.
In contrast, diesel in a gas engine mostly causes clogging and misfires, but it’s unlikely to destroy the engine if addressed quickly. Still, it’s a headache no one wants, and the inconvenience alone is enough to ruin anyone’s day.
How Can Drivers Protect Themselves From Fuel Mix-Ups?
While this kind of error is rare, there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself. First, always check the pump label and nozzle color—diesel is usually green or yellow, while regular gas is black or red. If your car starts running rough immediately after a fill-up, don’t ignore it. Pull over safely and call for assistance. And if you’re filling up at a station that’s unusually busy or under construction, double-check with the attendant if you have any doubts.
For peace of mind, some drivers keep a record of their fuel purchases and even snap a quick photo of the pump before filling up. It might sound overcautious, but in rare cases like this, that little bit of documentation can save you a lot of hassle.
What’s the Real Impact of a Fuel Station Mix-Up?
Beyond the inconvenience and repair bills, incidents like this highlight just how much we trust the systems we use every day. Most people never think twice about what’s coming out of the pump, and for good reason—fuel stations handle millions of gallons without issue each year. But when something does go wrong, it’s a reminder that even routine tasks can go sideways.
Industry experts point out that fuel delivery companies are now investing in better training and technology to prevent these errors. Some are even piloting RFID and barcoding systems to ensure the right fuel goes into the right tank every time. It’s not foolproof, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The big takeaway? Preventing fuel mix-ups isn’t about perfection—it’s about smarter adjustments. Start with one change this week, like double-checking the pump before you fill up, and you’ll likely spot the difference by month’s end.