Certain petrol owners have been urged to “avoid E10 fuel” when filling up with motorists at risk of picking up serious damage. E10 fuel was introduced on UK forecourts back in 2021 in a bid to cut down carbon emissions.
Before it was launched, several EU nations had already adopted the new compound, including France, Finland and Germany. However, ahead of its introduction, there were concerns the fuel would not be compatible with every vehicle with those owning older models most at risk. Experts have now warned motorists that topping up with the E10 substance could corrode engine components in a major blow.
Speaking on TikTok @olimoran11 said: “This is why you should avoid using E10 petrol in your car. Now obviously at the minute we can either get E5 petrol which is like your Supreme 99 or your E10 which is like 95 Octane.
“This was basically brought in to replace this and help with emissions but it does come with consequences. E10 fuel is 10% ethanol, E5 is 5% ethanol. Basically, your engine does not like higher ethanol levels.
“Higher ethanol levels basically lead to pinking and this leads to some serious damage to your engine. Basically higher temperatures in your cylinder will cause premature combustion which your engine does not want.
“This is the cylinder, here’s your piston and you can see the rod through the piston. You should not be able to see through your piston.”
Previous data from the RAC found that around 3% of vehicles on the road – as many as 600,000 – were not compatible with the fuel. The breakdown group stressed that as a general rule, cars registered before 2002 should not run E10 in their vehicles. Meanwhile, the specialists warned that only models manufactured after 2011 are fully E10 compatible.
The RAC explained: “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. It is a hygroscopic, which means it absorbs water from the atmosphere, leading to condensation in fuel tanks if the car remains unused for long periods of time.”
Motorists can check whether their car is compatible with E10 fuel using a free online checker at GOV.UK.
However, @olimoran11 added: “A lot of cars nowadays have on their fuel filler flap what kind of fuel is good for them. But if you have anything before 2010, then I just wouldn’t recommend using E10 at all.
“Spend that little bit extra and get the E5 or the supreme fuels. Trust me later down the line your car’s going to appreciate it and so will your bank.”
