One difference between the US and Czech Republic is the preponderance of diesel-engined cars here. I would say probably more cars here are fueled with diesel instead of gasoline. It makes sense, because fuel costs here are so expensive (around $6.50/gallon). Our Skoda Octavia rental gets around 45 mpg from it's little 1.9 litre engine - and the diesel engines last longer.
Everyone here made a point to remind me to make sure to put diesel into our rental car - because americans are accustomed to filling with gasoline. So when it came time for me to refill my car, I made sure to look for diesel. However, last year, a friend of mine told me not to put in "regular" diesel, because it is only for trucks. Instead I need to use the "good" diesel. So when I arrived at the station, I saw 4 grades of fuel - Diesel, Super Natural 91, Super 95, and Natural 95. I knew I didn't want "regular" diesel - so I saw one island with only diesel and Natural 95. The other islands had all 4 grades. So I assumed Natural 95 was the good diesel. So I began filling my car with Natural 95. When I was about halfway through, I suddenly realized that maybe this was not diesel. My mind was filled with images of turning the key and having the car explode, or returning the car to the rental agency and having to buy a new engine. So I stopped filling it, and started the engine. It seemed fine. I drove a few kilometers and noticed the engine was behaving strangely. I immediately pulled the car over at a grocery store, to prevent any damage. I was about 6 miles from our house, and had no phone with me, so I decided to run home. It took me just over an hour of jogging along side the road to get home. I told my sad story to our neighbor Michal, who thought it was hilarious. He confirmed that Super Natural 95 is indeed gasoline - and could seriously damage a diesel engine. He drove me back, and then towed me with a rope to an auto mechanic friend of his. They had a good laugh about it. It turns out the last time there was a christian missions conference nearby, this mechanic removed over 300 liters of gasoline from diesel cars - all of which were filled by befuddled americans. Fortunately, I had not driven far enough to damage it and the car was quickly drained and replaced with diesel. Another lesson learned.
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1 comment:
Who needs Pop now????
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