Fuelling Protection System as standard for all BMW diesel models

Munich. BMW is the first car manufacturer to equip all new diesel-powered
models with a system against incorrect fuelling (Fuelling Protection System) as
standard. The innovative system puts a stop to cases of mis-fuelling at the
petrol pump and its far-reaching consequences. A special mechanism fitted to
the filler neck prevents drivers from accidentally inserting the fuel filler
nozzle of a petrol pump into the filler neck of a diesel-powered car. This
technology has been tried-and-tested in a variety of BMW models with diesel
engines and will now be fitted to all diesel-powered BMW models ex work without
surcharge.

Every year, the German AA has to provide technical support in more than 5,000
cases of mis-fuelling. Rectifying the consequences of incorrect fuelling is not
just time-consuming, it may also incur major costs. Even if the drivers
realizes their mistake before starting the engine, emptying and cleaning the
fuel tank, pipes and the pump as well as changing the filter will be
unavoidable.

The high number of cases of mis-fuelling shows that just a short moment of
inattention suffices to select the wrong fuel filler nozzle at the petrol
station. Particularly drivers who frequently use different cars from rental
companies or company fleets often have to pay extra attention - more so, since
the performance profile and acoustic insulation measures of modern diesel
engines reduce the differences between diesel and petrol-powered engines to a
hardly discernible minimum. The difference in fuel filler nozzle diameter often
prevents accidentally filling petrol engines with their narrower filler neck
with diesel fuel, but during hasty filling manoeuvres, the filler nozzle for
petrol can easily and mistakenly be inserted into the filler neck of standard
diesel models.

However BMW will help drivers to avoid making this mistake. The Incorrect
Fuelling Protection System fitted to all BMW diesel-powered models is designed
to allow only filler nozzles for diesel fuel to enter the filler neck. The
filler neck of these models is fitted with a locking system that can only be
released by a standardized diesel filler nozzle. A petrol nozzle with its
smaller diameter cannot make the same connection and this access is blocked.

The Incorrect Fuelling Protection System is also designed for fuelling under
exceptional circumstances, when the diesel-powered model may have to be fuelled
from a spare can. Narrow recesses on the outer walls of the filler neck allow
the introduction of smaller amounts of fuel. Using a container for re-fuelling
requires extra care, which serves to remind the driver of ensuring that they
use the right type of fuel.