Why do BP use pumps which can cause drivers to fill up with the wrong fuel?

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Why do BP use pumps which can cause drivers to fill up with the wrong fuel?

Your response to RH, Royston suggests BP Ultimate as an option. Our local BP garage has four pump units, each with three nozzles on each side. Each side has a petrol nozzle, a diesel nozzle and an Ultimate nozzle. However, on some sides the Ultimate nozzle is Ultimate Petrol, on others it is Ultimate Diesel, and the distinction is not clear. The result is that colleagues have filled up their petrol cars with Ultimate diesel and vice versa, and you may wish to bring this to the attention of readers. The obvious solution is for BP to use different nomenclature for their premium products, such as Ultimate for petrol and Supreme for Diesel.

Asked on 5 May 2012 by DH, Bridgend

Answered by Honest John

You cannot fill a modern petrol car with diesel because the nozzle will not fit. But a petrol nozzle will fit all but the latest Ford and Citroen diesels that have built in misfuel prevention devices. This ‘branding’ tactic in the face of common sense occurs with BP Ultimate, Shell V-Power, Shell Fuelsave and Total Excellium. I brought the matter up with BP more than five years ago and met with closed ears.

Tags: misfuelling wrong fuel

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