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Got charged $1500 repair costs for fueling diesel into Prius 2013 4D (Zipcar)

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Nymous, Dec 14, 2013.

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  1. Nymous

    Nymous New Member

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    Does this invoice seem reasonable? I'm down $1700 because Zipcar is accusing me of fueling the Toyota Prius with diesel instead of gas.

    [​IMG]
     

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    #1 Nymous, Dec 14, 2013
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    why did they replace the battery? how would driving on ev ruin it? i've done that with no ill effect. they probably could have cleaned the spark plugs. "done thrice", i love that. can you even get diesel into a gas tank? or can you not get gas into a diesel tank?
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 14, 2013
  3. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    And did you? Did you also drive the car on electric when the engine wouldn't start?
     
    #3 ftl, Dec 14, 2013
  4. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Well that's cheaper than it would be putting gas in a diesel vehicle. Not pretty.
     
    #4 frodoz737, Dec 14, 2013
    dbcassidy likes this.
  5. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Apparently it's not that hard to stick a Diesel spout into NoLead filler hole!
     
    #5 KK6PD, Dec 14, 2013
  6. Nymous

    Nymous New Member

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    I can't recall but I wouldn't be surprised if I did. Zipcar is by the hour rental, and I probably rushed it, not knowing the consequences. I'm not too technical with cars.

    I did not drive in electric. I simply called Zipcar when the engine stopped working and they had it towed away.

    I'm still a bit shocked by the repair costs...
     
    #6 Nymous, Dec 14, 2013
  7. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    Its actually not a bad charge considering the labor involved. Lesson learned?
     
    #7 rdgrimes, Dec 14, 2013
  8. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Doesn't happen here. Diesel nozzles are the same size or slightly bigger than the old leaded petrol nozzles and won't fit into an unleaded car. The unleaded nozzle is much smaller to fit the smaller hole.

    You can put unleaded in a diesel car easily though :unsure: and yes, to clean the wrong fuel out of any modern car is expensive!
     
    #8 GrumpyCabbie, Dec 14, 2013
  9. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    What does your fuel receipt say?
     
    #9 Air_Boss, Dec 14, 2013
  10. Nymous

    Nymous New Member

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    I don't have the fuel receipt with me. I did ask Zipcar to investigate further and this is the response I got:

    "As per your concern we have investigated this situation further and based on the fuel purchase record of the gas card you used during your reservation with Toyota Prius, Diesel fuel was pumped causing the engine failure which Toyota also confirmed as the cause of the engine failure."

    "Based on our previous follow up and our policies you are being held responsible for the total cost of services and the tow fee for that Zipcar. You can view these invoices from the links attached to this email.
    The total amount of 1655.87 has been to your account and will be placed on your credit card..."
     
    #10 Nymous, Dec 14, 2013
  11. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    As expensive a lesson as it is, be happy that that's all that went.
     
    #11 El Dobro, Dec 14, 2013
  12. DadofHedgehog

    DadofHedgehog Active Member

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    Consider that Zipcar has a car fleet and the dealership is usually interested in local fleet services - so they might have given ZipCar a price break, whereas had you done it to your own Prius you'd not get that potential fleet break, so the same lesson, had it been learned on your own machine might have been more expensive. Putting diesel into a gasoline-driven car costs $$$ to reverse because without intervention it is guaranteed to make the car's engine inoperable. In my recent 2011-2012 experience, ZipCar cars are pretty new and well-maintained so your Zip Prius likely was a new, low-mileage vehicle that would have been a candidate for rescue rather than junking - hence the $$$ spent to get it healthy.
     
    #12 DadofHedgehog, Dec 14, 2013
  13. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Did you pump the fuel, or was it selected and pumped by a station attendant?
     
    #13 Air_Boss, Dec 14, 2013
  14. Nymous

    Nymous New Member

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    Pumped it myself. I think I remember asking my buddy in the car if it was OK to pump diesel instead of gas, and he said YES. Lesson learned.
     
    #14 Nymous, Dec 14, 2013
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what all could your buddy have been thinking?:eek: hey buddy, can you spare $850.?
     
    #15 bisco, Dec 14, 2013
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  16. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

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    I'm not sure why you even thought to ask if you could use diesel...
     
    #16 vskid3, Dec 14, 2013
  17. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Diesel in a gas powered hybrid now that is a stupid mistake.
     
    #17 JMD, Dec 14, 2013
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  18. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    I suspect at this point we don't need to rub it in :(.
     
    #18 ftl, Dec 14, 2013
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  19. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Yep your right couldn't resist my bad
     
    #19 JMD, Dec 14, 2013
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  20. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Isn't diesel significantly more expensive than gasoline? On the order of 30 cents/US gallon more here.
     
    #20 Air_Boss, Dec 14, 2013
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