Remember years ago, when comedians told jokes about women
drivers? They'd be laughing on the other side of their faces more
recently, as a survey* revealed that, in reality, more men than
women misfuel. However, all parties can now have smiles on their
faces as a British engineer has developed the Diesel Head, a device
which prevents motorists putting petrol in diesel vehicles, known
as misfuelling.
The problem of misfuelling has been with us for years. The
growing popularity of diesel cars and the fact that more homes
these days have both a petrol and a diesel car on the drive,
however, means that the potential for misfuels is on the
increase.
Speaking at the offices in Birmingham, Diesel Head inventor, Lee
Steadman, says: "I realised that this problem demanded a
solution which was fit for purpose, totally reliable, easy to fit
and easy to use."
It has taken two years from Lee's 'Eureka' moment, to design,
model, test and manufacture prototypes of his solution to the
problem of misfuelling. The product has now come on the market,
ready to meet the stringent demands of both environment and
consumers.
"Most people do not realise that a petrol nozzle is smaller in
diameter than a diesel fuel nozzle and it is this fact that gave me
the solution," continues Lee.
"The opening to a fuel tank fitted with a Diesel Head needs a
'diesel' diameter nozzle to activate the opening and let the nozzle
in - as a result the smaller petrol nozzle cannot open the Diesel
Head and so the car is protected.
"The Diesel Head really is a 'fit and forget' product, which is
essential as many misfuels arise because of distraction. We all
lead busy lives and rarely have the luxury of being able to only
concentrate on one thing.
"It's so easy when in a rush to select the wrong fuel nozzle and
pump petrol into a diesel car or van, particularly when driving
with the objective of doing something important or critical, such
as meeting a child from school or a relative at the airport. Sadly,
this means the misfuel usually happens at the worst possible
moment.
"I also recognised that, for many drivers, the real concern was
not the wasted fuel but rather that they were inconvenienced,
unable to achieve the purpose of the journey - the consequence not
the cost, if you will."
The Diesel Head, constructed from cast metal, is available via
www.dieselhead.co.uk for £34.99 and a lockable version for
£39.99. Anyone seeking further information should visit the
Diesel Head website or phone Ian Kelly of Diesel Head on 0121 236
6144.
* Survey by Green Flag