E10 petrol

[Deleted User]

I have just discovered that ALL petrol is being changed shortly from E5 standard to E10

What is the difference and will suppliers use this as an excuse to ramp up prices ?

AdrianC

The difference is up to 10% ethanol instead of up to 5% ethanol - which we've had since unleaded came in in the 1980s. Ethanol is a renewable biofuel, from crops, instead of dead dinosaurs.

In countries where both are available, E10 tends to be cheaper than E5. It's been the standard in the states for decades, is the only petrol or the vast majority in several other European countries, and has been widespread across France for a decade.

And it's not "all" petrol - 98 Super is staying as E5 for at least another five years. All cars new since 2010 must be E10 compatible, most since 2000 will be, and converting many older cars is a question of simple routine maintenance.

Other European countries have had E85 - up to 85% ethanol - available for years, but that can't be used in most cars. Special "flexifuel" versions are available in those countries.

Between the 20s and the 60s, one popular petrol supplier sold 25%+ ethanol fuel on the basis that it was higher performance.

[Deleted User]

Does it damage engines? 

peter_the_piper

It may damage the fuel pipe in your petrolmower/strimmer/chain saw.

AdrianC

Deleted_User said:

Does it damage engines? 

No.

It may damage non-compatible rubber, such as fuel hoses.

But, as I said, anything vaguely recent should be perfectly compatible, unless it's cheap junk from iffy sources. Hose old enough not to be probably needs replacing through age, anyway.

AdrianC said:

In countries where both are available, E10 tends to be cheaper than E5. It's been the standard in the states for decades, is the only petrol or the vast majority in several other European countries, and has been widespread across France for a decade.

... All cars new since 2010 must be E10 compatible, most since 2000 will be, and converting many older cars is a question of simple routine maintenance.

https://check-vehicle-compatibility-e10-petrol.service.gov.uk/

AdrianC

peter_the_piper said:

It may damage the fuel pipe in your petrolmower/strimmer/chain saw.

Not unless it's ancient or a bit cheap and nasty. Anything made in the last decade by anybody reputable should be just fine.

https://blog.stihl.co.uk/how-will-e10-petrol-affect-your-stihl-chainsaw/

Goudy

peter_the_piper said:

It may damage the fuel pipe in your petrolmower/strimmer/chain saw.

For those of you that might not read Adrian's Stihl blog and may use E10 in lawn mowers, strimmers, chain saws and those that might leave it sitting in tanks of summer "toys" for months on end, higher ethanol fuel has a shorter shelf life than fuels with lower levels of ethanol.

It can lose it's combustability and oxidises with a few months, sooner if it's been stored for a while before purchase.

AdrianC

It's not a great plan to leave even our current E5 in your garden tools over the winter, anyway. It's always been strongly recommended to let them run out on the last use of autumn.

roddydogs

Never done that, never any probs.

MSE_Petar

Hi all,

We've just published an MSE News story about the switchover to E10 petrol, which you can read at the link below:

E10 petrol to replace E5 as the standard unleaded sold next month – but some vehicles are incompatible and it could push up costs

Thanks!

oldagetraveller1

And for anyone concerned, just remove the Ethanol completely. A small amount of effort required, but it is easy and effective.