WASHINGTON -- Gasoline service stations should clearly mark diesel fuel pumps or hoses -- possibly painting them yellow -- to protect motorists from mistakenly mixing fuels, the American Petroleum Institute recommends.
The institute, which represents the nation's major oil corporations, issued an advisory to service stations to cuts the chances of diesel fuel being but in gasoline-powered vehicles, or gasoline in diesel-power cars and trucks.
Putting the wrong kind of gasoline in a vehicle can often can seriously damage its engine.
The guidelines include:
-Dispensing of diesel fuel and gasoline from a common unit should be avoided it at all practicable.
-The diesel fuel pump or hose should be clearly identified. The American Petroleum Institute suggests use of the color yellow.
-The diesel and gasoline pumps should be clearly marked with a proper and identifiable sign.
The institute decided that having 'a separate 'island' for dispensing diesel fuel is not appropriate. Such action would significantly reduce the number of stations which could sell diesel fuel, due to limited property size and layout of the station.'
The group said 'misfueling' is not a widespread problem, but increasing numbers of diesel-engine autos are being purchased in the United States.
