E10 petrol in 2021?

Grumpy_chap

facade said:

The snake oil is likely Castrol Valvemaster, I still have some in the shed- it didn't work (Not like the Elephant Powder I still put down to keep the elephants away from my garden....)

Ahh, something keeps crushing the plants in our garden.  I've been using an electronic fox / cat scarer, but it does not work - the foxes and cats just stare at me as though I should keep out of their garden.  Is it the cats and foxes that have been trampling the plants?  OR, do you think there might be elephants in the garden?  If so, is the Elephant Powder better than the local mice - Mum has a mouse in her garden, and the plants look fine so obviously no elephants there...

AdrianC

redfox5 said:

I just found out about this today. I have a 2001 Vauxhall Astra and although the Gov & Vauxhall website say okay, the RAC website is saying:

As a rule, drivers of cars registered prior to 2002 are advised not to use E10 in their vehicle, as problems have been reported.

The RAC understands that if you put E10 fuel in an incompatible car it will still run, but seals, plastics and metals may be damaged over longer periods as a result of bioethanol's corrosive properties. 

There have also been reports that E10 is a less stable fuel and that this can make it more difficult to start a vehicle that has not been driven for an extended period.

so do I risk it with the new fuel or pay extra for Super Unleaded? How long do you think it will take before Unleaded disappears? 

The key there is "as a rule". A generality, in the absence of more accurate specific information.

You've checked with the manufacturer, who say it's OK. That overrides the generality.

https://check-vehicle-compatibility-e10-petrol.service.gov.uk/manufacturer/Vauxhall
https://www.vauxhall.co.uk/help-centre/owners/can-my-car-use-e10-ethanol-fuel.html

GrumpyDil

Hadn't thought to check but turns out daughter's car (daewoo Matiz 2004) doesn't appear to be suitable for E10.

Car was free from her nan but looks like may have to run on premium which feels slightly excessive for a car with a 1 litre lawn mower engine😁. 

AdrianC

GrumpyDil said:

Hadn't thought to check but turns out daughter's car (daewoo Matiz 2004) doesn't appear to be suitable for E10.

Car was free from her nan but looks like may have to run on premium which feels slightly excessive for a car with a 1 litre lawn mower engine😁. 

I'd just do it anyway. Those old Direwoolets are EVERYWHERE in Romania, probably the single most common car - and Romania has been 100% E10 for a few years.

If you look at the Gov't checker, there's no entry at all for Daewoo. Daewoo Europe rebranded to Chevrolet in 2005 - and Chevrolet lists the Matiz from 2006 as being fine. Chevrolet left all European markets in 2015... I bet it's as simple as a lack of an answer, or nobody bothering too much about checking.

GrumpyDil

Tend to agree that it's probably a yes but no answer for pre 2006 due to Daewoo rebranding.

Thinking about it, with my last attempt to obtain a spare part (torsion bar) for the car which resulted in having to repair and weld the original, I rather suspect what will put this car off the road will be lack of spares before E10 causes any issues.