Hello all,
Just to let everyone know about the new grade of fuel that will (already here in some areas) be coming to our shores from January 2011.
This new unleaded fuel is a bio ethanol blend called 95 E10 as it contains 10% ethanol instead of the current 5% limit. This 5% increase does not seem a lot but it can damage various components of the fuel system if they are not compatible with this grade of fuel.
Most major car manufactures are currently or just completed testing on their product range and early indications seem that cars produced after 2000 are OK if they still have OE fuel system parts but it is wise to check with the vehicle manufacture.
This fuel has been available in France and some other countries since 2009/10 with mixed reports of fuel system failures and engine running problems on older cars and could affect us in the UK more due to higher number of old cars still in regular use or in long term storage.
At present it is believed that the current unleaded (95 E5 ) will be sold alongside this new fuel (95 E10) which may cause confusion at the pump or problems down the road if mistakenly use.
From my brief net research it seems that this new fuel absorbs water much more easily and may separate after approximately 80 days in to water and base fuel and will lead to subsequent problems.
As for Renaults, it seem that 98% of their cars produced after 1997 are compatible except for a list of 7-8 car/engine variants, but for cars produced before this date it is currently unkown,so as I find out more it will be posted.
Rich
Ps: There are also indications that a similar diesel blend that is currently avaliable on the continent will appear over here soon.
