Step 1: Where & When

Enter the station details and pump info. Everything helps.

Step 2: Symptoms

Check every symptom you noticed after the fill-up.

Step 3: Timeline

Add events in order. The report will show a chain-of-custody timeline.

Step 4: Your Report

Review, add mechanic notes, then print or copy.

Why a structured report matters

What stations look for

When you claim contaminated fuel, the station manager checks three things: a receipt or transaction record, the pump number, and a clear timeline of when problems started. Without these, your complaint is easy to dismiss as a pre-existing car issue. FuelFail helps you capture all three while your memory is fresh.

Write down the pump number even if you are not 100% sure. A photo of the pump with your phone is even better. If you paid by card, your bank statement shows the exact time and amount, which the station can match to their own pump logs.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting too long. Symptoms that appear days later are harder to link to a specific fill-up. Note them as soon as you notice.
  • Throwing away the receipt. Even a photo of the receipt helps. Keep it until the issue is resolved.
  • Not noting the pump. Stations can pull pump-specific sales data if you give them the number.
  • Assuming it will fix itself. Contaminated fuel can damage injectors, pumps, and catalytic converters. Get a mechanic to drain the tank quickly.

Example scenario

Maria filled her sedan at a highway station on a Friday evening. Ten minutes after leaving, the engine started sputtering at a stoplight. By Saturday morning, the check engine light was on and the car barely started. She used FuelFail to record the station name, pump 4, and the exact times. Her mechanic drained the tank and found water mixed with the fuel. Maria printed the FuelFail report, attached her receipt and repair invoice, and the station's corporate office approved her refund within a week.

Questions drivers ask

What counts as contaminated fuel?

Water in the fuel, diesel in a gasoline tank (or vice versa), sediment, old degraded fuel, or fuel mixed with solvents or other chemicals. Contamination can happen at the station's underground tank or during transport.

How fast do symptoms appear?

Often within minutes to a few miles of driving. Water sinks to the bottom of the tank and gets picked up quickly. Some contaminants cause gradual problems over days. Note when you first noticed anything unusual.

Do I need a lawyer?

Not usually. Most stations have a process for fuel complaints. A clear report with receipt and mechanic documentation is often enough. If the station refuses and your repair costs are high, small claims court is an option. This report helps there too.

What if the station denies my claim?

Ask for their corporate contact if it is a chain. File a complaint with your state's weights and measures office or consumer protection agency. Your FuelFail report, receipt, and mechanic invoice form a solid evidence package.

Assumptions & limitations