New and Young Drivers — Why They Misfuel More Often and How to Prevent It
Young and new drivers are disproportionately represented in New Zealand misfuel incidents. Many have never fuelled the car themselves. Here is what parents and new licence holders need to know.
A Problem That Starts Before the First Solo Drive
Data from EEK Mechanical's incident records consistently shows that drivers under 25 are overrepresented in misfuelling incidents relative to their share of New Zealand's licensed driver population. The reasons are straightforward: many young drivers have never fuelled a car themselves before they get their licence. Their parents have always done it. The first time they pull up to a self-service forecourt alone, they are making a decision they have never been explicitly taught.
The Most Common Scenario
A parent's diesel SUV or ute is borrowed for the weekend — maybe a family camping trip, maybe just a run to collect a mate. The young driver knows they need to fill up before returning the car. At the forecourt, they reach for the nearest nozzle, or they pick the one that fits, without checking which fuel type they are selecting. Petrol goes into a diesel tank.
This scenario is not a reflection of intelligence or care. It is a reflection of missing information. A driver who has never been shown what to look for when fuelling a diesel vehicle will not automatically know. The fuel cap label is there — but only if you know to look for it.
Tips for New Licence Holders
- Before you borrow any vehicle: Ask the owner what fuel type it takes. Write it on a piece of tape on the dashboard if needed.
- Check the fuel cap every single time in an unfamiliar vehicle. The label is there.
- Diesel nozzles are larger than petrol nozzles — a diesel nozzle will not fit into a petrol filler neck. But a petrol nozzle will fit into a diesel filler neck. The system only works one way.
- If you are unsure, check the instrument cluster. Many modern diesel vehicles display the fuel type when the ignition is switched on.
- Do not be embarrassed to ask for help. Forecourt attendants would rather help you select the right nozzle than deal with the aftermath of a misfuel.
Tips for Parents
- The first time your child fuels a vehicle — any vehicle — do it with them. Show them where to find the fuel type label.
- If your daily driver is diesel, make sure your new-licence holder knows this before they borrow it.
- Consider adding a clear label inside the fuel filler door: "DIESEL ONLY" in large text. These stickers are inexpensive and take seconds to apply.
- Brief family members before any trip in a vehicle they do not normally drive.
If It Happens Anyway
If your young driver calls you to say they have put the wrong fuel in, the most important thing is to stay calm and give them clear instructions: do not start the engine, do not move the vehicle, and call EEK Mechanical on 0800 769 000. A tow truck will come to them, the vehicle will be transported to a certified workshop, and the fuel system will be drained and flushed properly. It is a recoverable situation — provided the engine was not started.
The cost is much more manageable if the mistake is caught immediately. Reassure them that calling you was the right thing to do, and deal with the practicalities from there.
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