Midland Fuel Mix-Up Strands Drivers

MIDLAND, TX — Some drivers in Midland are dealing with severe vehicle issues after diesel fuel was mistakenly pumped into gasoline tanks at the Murphy USA gas station on Andrews Highway.

The error, which occurred earlier this week, resulted in significant mechanical problems for numerous drivers who unknowingly filled their cars with diesel instead of gasoline.

A social media manager for West Texas Automotive reported that his shop has been busy with vehicles experiencing trouble due to the fuel mix-up. 

In some instances, cars were unable to start, while others were severely damaged, requiring extensive repairs. According to Sanders, even filling a gasoline engine with a small amount of diesel can cause the car to “feel like you’re having some kind of mechanical issues,” and potentially render the vehicle undrivable.

The impact on vehicles has led to a spike in repair costs as mechanics have to drain diesel from gas tanks and, in some cases, replace fuel lines and pumps. Sanders added that the damage could be so severe that some drivers might need to replace their engines entirely.

Murphy USA is reportedly assisting affected customers with the costs of repairs.