E10 petrol - the pitfalls.

[Taf]

As you may have heard from the mainstream media, E10 petrol is due to hit UK forecourts in September. This will see up 10% ethanol added to regular 95 RON, instead of the present <5% content (E5). In this introductory blog, GEM shall tackle some of the most common questions that our members have posed to us so far, on which we plan to elaborate in future blogs.

Why is E10 being introduced?
The aim is to reduce road transport carbon dioxide levels, especially since new diesel passenger car sales have declined.

If I use E10, will my fuel consumption increase?
Yes – although only slightly.

Is there an alternative to E10?
Yes – the super unleaded pumps will dispense higher octane petrol, containing up to 5% ethanol (E5) for the foreseeable future. Yet, we doubt that E5 Super Unleaded’s extra cost will compensate for the increased economy over E10 Unleaded.

Is it only classic cars that can be harmed by E10?
No. E10 petrol has a lower shelf life than normal petrol and running any engine on ‘out of date’ fuel can be harmful.

Should I use E10 if I cover a low mileage?
If you do not refuel regularly, consider using Super Unleaded (E5). This includes Plug In Hybrid cars that are driven frequently in electric-only modes, so the fuel tank is not replenished frequently.

If my car is not compatible with E10, would a single tankful cause damage?
Yes – many pre-2005 Direct Injection petrol models cannot use E10 – doing so has seen lasting, irreversible harm to the costly high-pressure fuel injection pump.

How can I check if my car is compatible with E10?
This webpage confirms vehicles that can use E10:

https://check-vehicle-compatibility-...ervice.gov.uk/

However, note that compliant vehicles are still not protected from harm, caused by the engine using deteriorated fuel that has been in the tank for more than several weeks.

https://blog.motoringassist.com/car-...l-be-affected/

I fill the tank once every 3 or 4 months, but my car is not E10 compatible, so no problem with the fuel going off. But no local garage presently sells E5 super unleaded, and have no plans to do so. It's about 15p a litre more expensive than standard E5. That means my car will have to be scrapped and replaced at a cost I could barely afford at the moment.

[mrmistoffelees]

I run premium diesel in both the 4x4 and premium unleaded on the bike (both have been remapped/tuned) premium diesel is currently running at 153.9 a litre here can't remember what premium unleaded is but it's not far off. my other car's electric so no effect.

SWMBO runs premium unleaded on her car, her bike runs on E10 with no issues which is a surprise as it's a 2001 year

A fuel stabiliser will help you in your situation.

[joglynne]

I saw an article about this change yesterday and thankfully our car will take the new E10 fuel.

We have always kept the tank topped up but once the E5 is no longer available we will have to keep our fuel reserve a lot lower as, only doing about 5,000 a year tops, we will presumably have to guard against the fuel in our tank deteriorating.

Ah well I guess this will result in our spending more time in my portable bubble. <sigh>

I will certainly be looking into mrmistoffelees's suggestion about a fuel stabiliser so thank you Mr M.

[Taf]

I just found this...
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfiel...ails_container

MOUNTFIELD MS1220 UNIVERSAL FUEL STABILISER 250ML

HOW MUCH DOES IT TREAT?

Thank you for your question, this bottle will treat 12.5 litres of fuel. I hope this answers your query

[mrmistoffelees]

There are also fuel stabilisers specifically designed to work with the E5, E10 - E85

LucasOils do one, as do Wynn I believe

---------- Post added at 11:12 ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 ----------

amazon.co.uk/Lucas-Oil-10576-Ethanol-Treatment/dp/B004FW77F0

[heero_yuy]

My curent car (colt CZ1) is listed as being able to use this fuel and although my Metro GTi 16v isn't listed the Landrover Discovery uses the same engine (Rover's K series) and is listed as accepting the petrol.

[Pierre]

I have a 20year old Jeep Wrangler as a 3rd car, so looks like I'll be having to fill it up with Super Unleaded.

The wife has a Ford mustang so I think I'll be advising her to use Super Unleaded too.

[mrmistoffelees]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

My curent car (colt CZ1) is listed as being able to use this fuel and although my Metro GTi 16v isn't listed the Landrover Discovery uses the same engine (Rover's K series) and is listed as accepting the petrol.

Would love to see pictures of the GTi !!!!! very jealous !!!

[tweetiepooh]

Well according to the government site:
E10 is cleared for use in all petrol driven Ford models sold in Europe since 1992 excluding:

• Ford Mondeo 1.8 SCI from 2003 to 2007.

But currently I only do a few thousand miles a year (done about 7k in past 2 years total) so don't fill up often but really don't want more expense. Fill up on monthly trip to Costco, sometimes that's just a top up though and if more than half still there just leave for another month.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by Pierre

I have a 20year old Jeep Wrangler as a 3rd car, so looks like I'll be having to fill it up with Super Unleaded.

Jeep Wrangler from 1996 through to 2018 apparently are fine

https://check-vehicle-compatibility-...ufacturer/JEEP

E10 petrol is cleared for use in the following Jeep models with petrol engines:
Jeep Wrangler (JK) - all engines
Jeep Wrangler (TJ) – all engines

[Carth]

Here we go again, making things worse while attempting to make things better.

Who's behind this latest one? Is it petrol companies, car manufacturers, the Govt, environmental activists, Disney?

[tweetiepooh]

Probably decided "pre-CV19". Now more folk can and do work from home -> less car commutes -> less mileage -> less pollution saving BUT more problems because cars aren't getting used as much so not emptying/filling tanks -> E10 problems. But policies can't be reversed or delayed so easily so we get stuck with it.

[heero_yuy]

Originally Posted by mrmistoffelees

Would love to see pictures of the GTi !!!!! very jealous !!!

Slightly OT but:



Wheels are Compomotive motorsport 14" with Falken 185 45 14 tyres.



Rovers lovely twincam K engine: 103PS @ 6,100 RPM

She's currently SORN in my garage awaiting some restoration work so won't be needing the new petrol for a while.

metro_100_blur.jpgS_Photo0062_blur.jpg

[mrmistoffelees]

Thats awesome....

[Hom3r]

Originally Posted by Pierre

I have a 20year old Jeep Wrangler as a 3rd car, so looks like I'll be having to fill it up with Super Unleaded.

The wife has a Ford mustang so I think I'll be advising her to use Super Unleaded too.

I wouldn't put anything other than Super Unleaded in the 'Tang.