Back in the '80s VW said you could use maybe a gallon of gas with a full tank in the diesel if the temp was really really cold. Is this still true for the TDI or have things improved that much ?  I know the fuel didn't.  The old diesel would just gel up the fuel lines and the pump and the dang thing would not hit a lick until you got it somewhere to warm up. I know a lot of people used a can of "Heat" (truck stuff)before the deep freeze set in. It worked.

So, that's 10-12k to fix a 25k or less car?

I am gonna go out right now and hug my Subaru.   

I guess VW assumes that if you can pay 25K for a car, you should be smart enough to tell the difference between Gas and Diesel at the pump.  And if you aren't smart enough, I bet you'll learn REAL fast . . . 

I remember a jetta diesel owner years ago who made the mistake not once, but twice.... 

The "way back" manual said you could run a small amount of gas with a full tank of diesel for really cold starts ups. What does the TDI use to start up on sub-zero morning, a fuel/ block heater or something ? I don't recall any oil companies putting blood thinners in their $3.50 per gal. diesel fuel. Unless they have done something clever, Diesel fuel is going to turn to jelly when down to sub-zero temps. Can you use a can of "Heat" ?  Kyle could tell you more about gelling. I would love to learn little more about this. VW must have done something.
  I'm like you Rick. $15,000 to fix a $22,000 car ? I'm going to run out and embrace my Volvo when Linda gets home. We just had a few things fixed on the Volvo last week down at Spikes. Head light switch, a heater bypass hose, rad.hose and 2 vac. hoses. $76.50