But using E10 petrol in an incompatible vehicle will, over time, cause problems in the fuel system. Carburettor corrosion, fuel hose degradation, fuel filter blockage and damaged fuel pumps are all likely if you use E10 regularly in vehicles that shouldn't take it.
E10 petrol's higher bioethanol content is corrosive to rubber parts, gaskets, seals, metals and plastics, which causes engine damage, so it could dislodge deposits in older engines and fuel systems, causing blockages. It should only be used with expert advice, which means pretty much never.
A problem with ethanol is that it binds moisture. This means that the amount of water in the E10 petrol can increase over time, which can cause corrosion in machines that are inactive for a few months at a time. This corrosion damages the carburetor and often leads to engine failure. The mixture deteriorates.
Unlike putting petrol into a diesel engine, you shouldn't need to drain the tank. On a one-time basis, your vehicle will not suffer engine damage as a result. Prolonged use of E10 petrol in a non-compatible vehicle, however, may cause harm and is not recommended.
As mentioned above, all vehicles made after 2010 can run on E10 fuel and the majority of cars built between 2002 and 2010 will also be compatible. However, there are some exceptions, including certain models from brands like Ford, Renault, Toyota, Lexus, Volkswagen, Audi and Mercedes.
Those vehicles manufactured before 2002 were not designed to operate with such high ethanol content fuel and as a result, could be damaged by using E10.
The problem appears to be significant. It is believed that the higher bioethanol content in E10 petrol could dislodge deposits in older engines and fuel systems, causing blockages; it could also cause some seals, gaskets, metals and plastics to corrode.
One of the areas that E10 can have a negative impact is in your fuel systems' seals and gaskets. These are often made of rubber on older vehicles, a material than Ethanol will degrade much faster than petrol.
While a car not designed to run on E10 will likely not suffer engine damage, the ethanol can damage fuel lines and other parts of the fuel system, leading to longer term problems. E10 emissions can also damage the core of catalytic converters.
Super-unleaded fuel is mostly used by performance cars but is fine for any petrol car, unlike the new E10 fuel. When you pull up at the petrol station you're often faced with two types of petrol: unleaded and super-unleaded.
JLM E10 Fuel Treatment is an all in one fuel treatment for cars providing ethanol corrosion protection and valve seat lubrication and protection. In addition it boosts the fuel's octane number.
Taking a long-term view, we'd advise that any car with fuel held in the tank for over three years should be drained and replaced with ethanol-free petrol.
Therefore, if your classic is not used for a while, it is advisable to refuel a premium gasoline with the lowest possible alcohol content (Super 98, V-Power, Excellium, etc.). Some suppliers are offering additives for E10, specially designed to counteract the harmful effects on our classics.
Ethanol is considered a renewable biofuel, typically made from grain, sugar cane or some other plant product. We're encouraged to consider using E10 to help reduce potentially harmful exhaust emissions. Most, but not all, modern cars can use E10, so it's important you check first before filling up with E10 fuel.
The EPA and an academic study have said that fuel containing 15% ethanol is safe for cars, trucks and sport-utility vehicles made in 2001 or later — which make up more than 90% of the vehicles on U.S. roads. Many car manufacturers have okayed the use of E15 fuel in their vehicles made in the past 10 years.
Ethanol has lower energy content than petrol, so generally speaking it provides less 'bang for your buck'. ABMARC says this means that you probably won't drive quite as far on a tank of E10 as you would on a tank of unleaded (91 RON) or 95 RON.
All models since model year 2005 are suitable for use with E10. If your car is older than 2005, then you should carry on using E5.
Will E10 cause problems for cars in storage? When it comes to storing your car, if it is older than 1996 and doesn't have a catalytic converter, you can use a lead replacement additive such as Castrol's Classic Valvemaster, which can help prevent corrosion as it also contains an ethanol stabiliser.
E10 petrol is compatible with almost all (95%)1 petrol-powered vehicles on the road today, including all cars built since 2011. If your vehicle or equipment is not compatible with E10 fuel, you are still able to use E5 by purchasing Shell V-Power grade petrol from most Shell service stations.
Using 98 might give 3 per cent reduction over 95, again assuming the computer adjusts the engine parameters. But fueling an engine with 95 or 98 won't necessarily open the door to earth shattering performance or extreme levels of fuel economy if the engine is not specifically designed to run on it.
Engine Protection
98 petrol, which is more stable and resistant to 'knocking', is a better choice when it comes to engine protection. 95 petrol works as well, but if your engine is powerful, it will use higher pressures that 95 petrol may not be able to withstand.
Cenzano says it's a good idea to use high-octane gas in a 10-year-old or older car that might be knocking and pinging. That's because premium can clean the carbon buildup that can prevent older vehicles from running as efficiently as when they were new.
Research by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed a 3% to 4% reduction in fuel economy using E10 compared with pure oil-based petrol – despite the U|K government saying it's only around 1-2%.
Although E10 is cheaper at the pump, it will burn quicker than your premium fuels. This is due to the higher octane rating of premium fuel (Unleaded 98) compared to E10 (Unleaded 91/94). So, in simple terms, the higher the number the more efficient the fuel burns.
Can you mix unleaded and superunleaded? Yes. All current cars are designed to run on standard 95 octane unleaded (even high-performance cars) but will run equally well – if not better – on the higher octane superunleaded, which has an octane rating of 97 or above.