Filling a van with diesel: return it with a full tank

Filling a van with diesel: the basic rules

Filling a rental van with diesel comes with one clear rule. All our vans run on diesel and are picked up with a full tank. They are also returned with an equally full tank, to the location where you picked up the van. It's a rule that's easy to check and surprises nobody, because both sides see the fuel gauge the same way.

Diesel, never petrol

Before filling up, look at the fuel cap. It usually says what fuel the vehicle takes. Diesel nozzles at the pumps are usually black and have a thicker spout, but colours vary between chains, so don't rely on them. What counts is the label on the pump and on the cap, not the colour.

Where the cap is and how it opens

You can tell which side the tank is on from the arrow next to the pump symbol on the dashboard. On vans the cap is usually a standard one, either with a key or just a catch. Before you drive away from the pump, check that it's properly tightened and the flap is closed. On a tall vehicle an open flap is easy to overlook.

Don't fill it to the brim

When the nozzle clicks off, filling is finished. Topping up bit by bit won't make the tank any bigger; the fuel just gets into places where it doesn't belong and then overflows in warm weather. A full tank means the level after the nozzle first switches off automatically, and that's how it's checked at the return.

Keep the receipt

The fuel receipt is your proof. Take a photo of it together with the fuel gauge on the dashboard, ideally right at the pump. A few seconds' work that prevents any dispute about the condition the van left in.

Fill up just before the return

Fill the tank at the last petrol station before the location. If you fill up fifty kilometres before, the gauge will no longer be on full and the return won't meet the rule. Find a suitable station on the map in advance so you're not looking for one at the last minute.

You pay for the fuel yourself

Diesel is paid for at the pump, the rental online by card. These are two separate things and they don't get mixed up. We don't accept cash for the rental, but at the petrol station you of course follow its terms. Compare fuel prices at the stations along your route; there's often a noticeable difference between a motorway station and one just off the exit.

Manual gearbox and calm driving

Our vans have a manual gearbox, which puts consumption under your control. Shift up in good time, keep the revs low and don't overtake at all costs. With a loaded van, smooth driving shows in what you spend at the pump more than with a car.

What else is worth knowing about diesel

Winter diesel

In the winter months, Czech petrol stations sell diesel adapted for low temperatures. So in frosty weather you won't get ordinary summer diesel from the distributors and you don't need to worry about it. What you can do, though: if the van has been standing outside for several days in a hard frost, give it a moment after starting before you set off.

Fuel consumption of a loaded van

A loaded vehicle uses considerably more than an empty one. Both the weight and the shape of the vehicle play a role — it has a large frontal area, and at higher speeds air resistance works against it. On the motorway, the difference between brisk and calm driving quickly shows in consumption. Plan your refuelling with a margin and don't rely on the range shown by the trip computer for an empty van.

AdBlue is not the same as diesel

The fluid for cleaning exhaust gases has its own separate filler neck. Never pour it into the fuel tank or vice versa. If a warning light tells you to top it up during the rental, get in touch with us and we'll agree on what to do. Don't top anything up yourself if you're not sure which filler neck it goes in.

When a mistake happens

You've filled up with petrol

Above all, don't start the engine. As long as the engine isn't running, the wrong fuel stays in the tank and it's much easier to deal with. Turning the key spreads the fuel through the system and the damage is many times greater. Push the van away from the pump, switch on the hazard lights and call us. Our line is available around the clock, even at weekends.

You forgot to fill up

Don't try to sort it out only after the return. If you find you didn't manage to fill up, let us know straight away. An agreed solution is always better than silence and surprises.

Fuel runs out faster on the road than you expect

In a van, don't rely on the last quarter of the tank. The gauge drops unevenly under load, and a petrol station you can comfortably get into with a tall vehicle isn't on every corner. The low canopies over the pumps at city petrol stations are a chapter in themselves, so it's better to fill up at larger stations on main roads.

Go through what else is included in the rental in advance. You'll find the dimensions and types of vans in our fleet, and practical answers in the FAQ section.