Is Diesel Spillage on Car Tires Dangerous?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tosh5457
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Car Diesel Fuel
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the potential dangers of diesel fuel spillage on car tires, particularly in the context of a flat tire and concerns about safety while driving. Participants explore various aspects of the issue, including the effects of diesel on tires and vehicle surfaces, as well as the implications of driving with a tire that may have been contaminated.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the safety of driving with diesel fuel on a flat tire, questioning if it poses a danger.
  • Another participant argues that getting diesel on the car is not dangerous, suggesting that the flat tire should be the primary concern.
  • A participant notes that refined petroleum fuels can damage the car's clear coat and recommends washing the affected areas.
  • Some participants discuss the mechanics of diesel and gasoline pumps, highlighting that they are designed to prevent cross-fueling, which may mitigate some concerns about spillage.
  • It is mentioned that diesel can evaporate and that checking the tire valve is advisable.
  • Concerns are raised about diesel on the tread surface, particularly regarding reduced grip in wet conditions, which could be dangerous for motorcycles.
  • One participant suggests that if the tire is going flat, it is likely due to a slow puncture rather than contamination from diesel.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the dangers of diesel spillage on tires. While some argue it is not dangerous, others raise valid concerns about grip and potential damage. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of diesel on tire safety.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying assumptions about the effects of diesel on tires and vehicle surfaces, as well as the conditions under which diesel may evaporate or cause issues. There is uncertainty regarding the extent of contamination and its impact on driving safety.

Tosh5457
Messages
130
Reaction score
28
Before I started putting it in the reservoir, some fuel came out to the exterior part of the reservoir, and some of it even spilled on the door and the tire. And that tire is flat, because it loses the pressure in some days, so maybe some diesel fuel even went inside it. Is it dangerous to leave it like that and ride the car?

Sorry for my english, it gets difficult when I have to use technical terms...
 
Biology news on Phys.org
Tosh,

I assume you live somewhere oversea's and not in the US. Diesel and gas pumps have different size diameter filler's. This is for a reason, so that by mistake you can't put gas in a diesel engine or vice versa. If you tried to put diesel in a gas engine and it spilled everywhere, count yourself lucky, no harm done, other than some spilled diesel and smelly shoes, clothes. This is the case right ?

Rhody...
 
No getting diesel on your car is not dangerous.

I'm surprised you are worried about that, when you have a tyre that goes flat in a few days.

Priorities.
 
Refined petroleum fuels can deteriorate the clear coat on a car quickly causing a permanent stain. I recommend a car wash if any got on the paint.

Fix the tire.
 
rhody said:
Tosh,

I assume you live somewhere oversea's and not in the US. Diesel and gas pumps have different size diameter filler's. This is for a reason, so that by mistake you can't put gas in a diesel engine or vice versa.

Actually, you can easily put gas in the tank of a diesel engine. I've done so many times, while traveling up north, as it helps keep the diesel from gelling. I'm careful not to put more than about 10% in there.

As for the OP - car wash. Better to use the wand and spray it. If you're concerned that diesel got inside the tire somehow, I'd take it to a garage who can remove it and inspect it. You can clean it out yourself with U-wash wand. Just rinse thoroughly in clean water and let dry before having it remounted.

It won't, however, blow up on your. There's neither enough temperature nor pressure in a tire for that to happen with diesel. Gasoline would be a different story!
 
it's unlikely the tire ever goes completely flat. the seal must be mostly good, or it would never hold air well enough to drive short distances. in any case, it will just leak back out. :)
 
The diesel will evaporate. Check your tire valve.
 
There is no diesel on the inside of the tire, getting it inspected is a waste of time.

I would be concerned about diesel getting onto the surface of the tread, in wet conditions the grip can be reduced to just as bad as driving on ice. Can be scrubbed off with soapy water easily. Not a huge problem in cars but if you're on a motorcycle it can be lethal so I'd take a lot of care if you ever ride through a spill on a road / at a station.

oliviajane said:
The diesel will evaporate. Check your tire valve.

In cold weather it won't, not very quickly anyway. If the tire is going flat it is most likely a slow puncture.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
23K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
8K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
9K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
560
Replies
14
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
5K