# Wrong Fuel in a US Rental Car: Costs, Deductibles, and What to Do

> What to do if you put the wrong fuel in a rental car in the United States — rental company charges, insurance, deductibles, and limiting damage.

- Canonical URL: https://www.eekmechanical.com/news/misfuelling-rental-car-us-costs-deductible-what-to-do
- Published: 2026-03-15
- Author: Chris, Chief Insurance Officer
- Publisher: EEK Mechanical, a trade name of Forman Pacific, LLC

## Immediate steps at the rental counter lane

- **Do not start the engine** if you have not already — keep the keys off if possible.

- **Notify the rental company** on the number on your contract or key tag.

- **Call EEK** at [(866) 777-3712](tel:18667773712) for certified recovery — many rental agreements require professional draining, not DIY siphoning.

- **Photograph** the pump, receipt, and fuel grade selected.

## Who pays: rental agreement vs your insurance

Rental companies may charge for towing, down time, cleaning, and mechanical damage under the **damage waiver** or liability section of your agreement. A collision damage waiver (CDW) or similar product is not insurance — it is a contractual limit on what the rental company can charge you for certain damage. Your personal auto policy or credit-card rental benefit may reimburse some costs, but only if those programs cover misfuel (many do not). Read the fine print before you decline coverage at the desk.

## Deductibles and charges

You may face:

- A **recovery invoice** from EEK or another certified operator

- **Administrative fees** from the rental brand

- **Loss-of-use** charges while the vehicle is off fleet

- **Mechanical repair** if the engine was driven on wrong fuel

Dollar amounts depend on the vehicle, how far it was driven, and contract terms — we do not quote rental-company penalties because they vary by brand and location.

## Limiting damage

Every mile on the wrong fuel can increase mechanical damage on modern diesel rentals. Stopping immediately and using a certified workshop recovery protects both the vehicle and your wallet. EEK provides documentation suitable for rental disputes and insurance review, without guaranteeing any outcome.

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Source: https://www.eekmechanical.com/news/misfuelling-rental-car-us-costs-deductible-what-to-do