A trip to the BP gas station nearly turned into a costly repair for one Indiana woman. In a viral TikTok video, she says she trusted her instincts and narrowly avoided putting the wrong kind of gas in her car.
TikTok creator @yapperetta.og filmed the whole thing from a BP station, where she noticed something strange about the pump colors. The video has since racked up over 912,000 views.
“So can someone tell me why the stupid a– [BP] station puts two pumps, green and black,” she says, zooming in on the side-by-side handles.
She explains that she almost grabbed the green pump without thinking. “’Cause it’s normally the one on the right,” she says. “It’s the good one,” meaning she owns a vehicle with a diesel engine.
But then something stopped her. “God tells me to look twice,” she says, moving the camera to the other handle. That’s when she realized the black one was actually the diesel pump—and the green one was for regular gas.
“Read with your eyes,” she says. “Green. Diesel. Black. Green.”
Green Means Diesel, Usually
Her frustration might sound dramatic, but many viewers agreed with her. While there are no national regulations for pump colors, green has become widely associated with diesel in the U.S.
However, as Fuelco.com explains, pump colors can vary by brand and station. Drivers are supposed to read the label every time, but when you’re used to green meaning diesel—or gas—it’s easy to make a mistake.
On Reddit, drivers have shared stories of similar close calls. “This has made me second guess myself while reaching for the gas pump every time since I was 16 years old,” one user wrote. “I see it all that time at gas stations all over the place.”
How Putting The Wrong Gas In Your Car Can Wreck Your Engine
The consequences of this kind of mix-up aren’t small. Car technicians say if you put gasoline in a diesel engine, or vice versa, your car will likely stop running within a few miles.
You might damage the pistons, rods, or even the entire engine block, sometimes irreversibly. Repairing it could cost thousands. If you realize the mistake early, the best thing to do is stop the car immediately and call a mechanic. You’ll need the gas tank and fuel lines flushed before using the car again.
People In The Comments Back Her Up
The video’s comment section was full of people who’ve experienced the same confusion—or worse.
“Diesel pumps are usually green! Valid point,” one person wrote.
@yapperetta.og very valid bc wtf? like 🤨 #gasstation #stupid #diesel
“I was bout to be mean but damn you right,” another said.
Someone else added, “I have never seen a diesel pump not green. I was about to heavily criticize you, but you are not wrong!!”
Another summed it up plainly: “Bro why are they playing around like that trying to ruin people’s cars fr.”
BroBible has reached out to BP via email and @yapperetta.og via TikTok messages for comment.