Feb 4, 2009, 13:41 GMT
Munich - BMW is fitting all its diesel models with a special mechanical slot to prevent the driver from filling up with the wrong type of fuel, the car maker has announced.
Germany's automobile association (ADAC) assists some 50,000 drivers of diesel cars every year who filled up their cars with petrol. Even if the driver notices the mistake before starting the engine, the costs of emptying and cleaning out the entire fuel system can prove exorbitant.
Most petrol-engined cars have a narrow socket that prevents tanking with the bigger diesel nozzle. However, a petrol nozzle can be put into the diesel tank's wider neck.
Most of the incorrect fuelling cases involve car fleets owned by companies or car hire firms whose drivers often change vehicles and just a minor oversight can lead to the expensive mishap.
BMW says modifying the tank neck does the trick and has proved effective in all adapted models so far.
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