EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Drivers in east El Paso who bought premium or midgrade fuel at a Circle K on North Zaragoza Road have reported car trouble after a fuel delivery mix-up, according to the company.<\/p>\n
A Circle K spokesperson said a third-party supplier \u201cinadvertently delivered diesel fuel into a premium gasoline storage tank\u201d at the Circle K at 1239 N. Zaragoza Rd. in El Paso.<\/p>\n
The spokesperson said unleaded gasoline storage tanks and sales were not impacted, and neither were other Circle K sites in the area.<\/p>\n
Circle K said it suspended premium and midgrade fuel sales as soon as it became aware of the situation while the affected storage tank was \u201cemptied, cleaned and replenished with fresh fuel.\u201d <\/p>\n
The company said it has resumed normal operations after testing \u201cconfirmed full remediation.\u201d<\/p>\n
“A small number of customers have contacted us about car troubles after purchasing premium and midgrade fuel at this site,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Destiny Venecia reports on Circle K says diesel mistakenly delivered into premium gas tank at east El Paso store (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Circle K said it is \u201cgathering and evaluating their information and helping them with their claims.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayra Benitez said she bought about $60 worth of gas from the Circle K on Zaragoza near Gateway East on Saturday. <\/p>\n
\u201cSaturday, towards the afternoon, is when I noticed my car stalling, slowing down, not having much power. By the following day, Sunday, my car wasn\u2019t turning on,\u201d Benitez said.<\/p>\n
She said the next morning, she saw white smoke coming out of the exhaust, and her car would not turn on. <\/p>\n
Benitez said she took her car to a Lexus dealership on Monday to get it checked.<\/p>\n
She said the visit cost her a total of $210.<\/p>\n
An invoice Benitez provided shows she needed a tank drain and injection flush before replacing fuel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey said they were gonna do a diagnosis on it. Right off the back, the technician said I think it\u2019s your fuel. I think your fuel is contaminated. We\u2019ve heard of this issue in the past,\u201d Benitez said.<\/p>\n
Benitez said she was quoted $1,700 for repairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we actually towed it back home because they quoted us at $1,700 to fix it, so we ended up towing it back home to kind of figure out what we’re gonna do and how we\u2019re gonna fix it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Benitez said she contacted Circle K and was told the company had already received multiple reports.<\/p>\n
“By Tuesday, the Lexus dealership told me they had already received seven vehicles with the same issue,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She added that she was told by Circle K to scan a QR code and that someone would follow up.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefinitely upsetting because it\u2019s pricey. Gas is already pricey, and then to fix the car is pricey, so all around an extra cost that we were not expecting,\u201d Benitez said.<\/p>\n
Customers who experience an issue after fueling at a Circle K station should call the company\u2019s claims department at 1-855-276-1947 \u201cas soon as possible,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: Circle K offers up to 40 cents off gas on Thursday at participating El Paso locations<\/a><\/p>\n