Refuelling a Hired Prado: Confirm the Fuel Before the Pump Starts

Confirm the fuel for the Prado you're driving before anything goes into its tank. The car you hired last week, a badge in a booking photograph and an attendant's first assumption are poor substitutes for checking the allocated vehicle.

Know the specified fuel, check the vehicle label, state your request and verify the pump before filling starts. If any information conflicts, stop and contact the rental provider while the tank is still unfilled.

Confirm the fuel at handover

Ask the representative for the fuel type and any required grade. Have them show you the relevant label and demonstrate how to open and close the filler.

Save those details with the booking information, somewhere easy to find, and record which vehicle they apply to. This is especially useful when a group hires more than one car. A message saying "The Prado takes diesel" is ambiguous if the group has two different Prados.

The Prado listings include different fuel choices. Confirm the requirements of the car handed over to you.

Photograph the starting fuel gauge and agree on the return level. If the gauge reading or return arrangement is unclear, ask what evidence the provider expects.

Check the pump before filling

Once safely positioned at the station, switch off and follow the station's instructions. Before filling begins:

Read the vehicle's fuel information confirmed at handover
State the fuel type and required grade
Read the pump's written fuel label
Confirm the amount or filling instruction
Keep your attention on the refuelling until these checks are settled

Ask an attendant helping you to repeat the fuel choice, even when it seems obvious.

The AA's wrong-fuel prevention advice recommends reading labels instead of relying on hose or nozzle colour. Match the written fuel description to the confirmed vehicle requirement. Colours remembered from another station or country can mislead you.

Resolve conflicting information before proceeding

Perhaps the booking message says diesel, but you can't find a matching label on the car. Another driver in the group might remember being told petrol. Neither the engine sound nor the vehicle's age will resolve that uncertainty reliably.

Call the rental team, identify the actual car and explain exactly what conflicts. Wait for confirmation of the correct fuel before proceeding.

Ask for instructions if the filler area has multiple caps or unfamiliar labels. Don't experiment with other fluids or add something because a bystander suggests it. Leave maintenance questions to the provider.

If the wrong fuel may have gone in

Stop filling. Don't start the engine or turn on the ignition to find out what happens. If you've already started or driven away, stop and switch off as soon as you can safely do so. The AA's misfuelling guidance sets out these immediate steps.

Tell the station staff and contact EliteMotion immediately for instructions. Explain any hazard caused by the car's position to both the staff and the rental team so they can arrange appropriate help. Don't start the car merely to clear the pump.

Avoid attempts to dilute the fuel, siphon the tank, disconnect a line or organise an improvised roadside repair. Even a seemingly small amount of wrong fuel is no reason to test-drive the car. Appropriate professionals should handle diagnosis and recovery under the provider's instructions.

Give the rental team a clear account

Have the following details ready when you call:

Booking reference and vehicle identification
Location and station name
Fuel the vehicle was supposed to receive
What may have been added and approximately how much
Whether the ignition or engine has been turned on
Whether the car has moved since refuelling
Any immediate safety concern at the location

Keep the receipt and record relevant pump information if it's safe. If you aren't sure about a detail, say so and identify any estimate as an estimate.

The AA material provides general safety guidance, not Kenya assistance coverage for your rental. Use the EliteMotion contact details and the assistance arrangements agreed for your booking. Immediate recovery or a replacement vehicle may not be available.

Plan routine fuel stops too

Before a longer drive, discuss suitable refuelling opportunities on the agreed route. Don't depend on a claimed maximum tank range or a station opening time that hasn't been verified.

Pass the confirmed fuel details and receipt location to anyone taking over the driving. Continue checking labels even after several days with the same car.

At the final fuel stop, follow the return arrangement agreed at collection. Keep the receipt, check the gauge and leave time for handover. Consult the current rental terms if responsibility or the return requirement needs clarification.