In retro games, if you make a mistake or die, you just reload your last SAVE point.

It’s the ultimate cheat code—convenient, powerful, and safe.

But reality? Once you crash, it’s game over. One moment of distraction implies an immediate payment.

I learned this the hard way at the gas station.

My car runs on Diesel. But my traitorous finger decided to tap “Premium Gasoline” on the pump instead.

※ What to Do When You Misfuel (Gas in a Diesel Engine)

Step 1: Panic (briefly).

Step 2: DO NOT START THE ENGINE. (Critical ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

• If you DON’T start the engine: Just a tank flush/cleaning. Cost: approx. $450.
• If you DO start the engine: Major fuel system & engine repair. Cost: $3,000+.

Step 3: Call your insurance or a tow truck immediately.

Here is the irony of modern cars:

• To tow the car, you must release the electronic parking brake.
• To release the parking brake, you must turn the ignition/power ON.
• Turning the power ON primes the low-pressure fuel pump (circulating the wrong fuel).
• Result: You have to fix the low-pressure pump anyway just to get towed. It’s a catch-22.

If I had started the engine, I’d be out $3,000. Since I kept it off, I “defended” my wallet with only a $450 loss.

I mentally mashed the ‘Load Game’ button over and over… but reality simply completed the transaction with a text message alerting me of the $450 charge.

Stay sharp at the pump, everyone. Real life has no save files.

Original article in Korean: [link]