Problems with the fuel E10 are not a popular topic, especially for governments and suppliers; they now also have other things to worry about. Nevertheless, there is a good chance that car owners will encounter the disadvantages of E10 in a wide circle in the corona period, especially when they do not or hardly drive their cars. That is precisely what happens a lot now.
E10 is gasoline in which a maximum of 10 percent bioethanol (bio-alcohol) has been mixed. For almost two years now, the pump for the most common gasoline (Euro 95) has had a sturdy sticker with the indication E10. Such a sticker can also be found on vehicles that are suitable for E10 and that were delivered after October 2018. This indication is missing from older vehicles. The story that this new fuel should not be used for mopeds, many motorcycles, young timers and certainly classics is well known. In addition, many mopeds and mopeds take the cake: often a nightmare for owners and dealerships. The latter have sometimes had to help the same customer several times because tanks are full of rust and junk and parts in the fuel systems literally dissolve into a kind of plastic sludge. It is only a moment to indicate that there is really something going on. Particularly in older vehicles and cars where, for example, no original parts such as gaskets or rubber hoses have been used during repairs, the use of E10 can still cause problems.
Safe choice
Wout Benning is a policy advisor on sustainability and technology at RAI Association and he was also involved in the safest possible roll-out of E10 in the Netherlands. “It took a relatively long time in our country before E10 was introduced; countries around us already knew it, albeit sometimes under different names at the pump. Due to European policy and the objectives for further CO2 reduction, E10 was eventually also implemented in our country. We have put a lot of effort into ensuring that vehicle owners can find reliable information digitally in one place in addition to any information on the fuel filler flap, in the instruction booklet and at the dealer; that has become e10check.nl. ” This information is vital for many older vehicles. “Problems can arise if the car, motorcycle or scooter is not prepared for E10. In fact, on several fronts: the alcohol in the gasoline is hygroscopic, which means that it tends to absorb water. This is especially a problem when the vehicle is not used for a long time. The E10 then sinks down into the tank, which can cause oxidation and sometimes even sludge formation. ”
This leads to the fascinating question of what is happening in the many cars that are not or hardly used for months in the current crisis period. Benning: “If you know in advance that you will not be driving for a long period, it is smart to refuel the car in advance with premium petrol from one of the major brands. In our country, that fuel usually contains little or no ethanol, even though it is called E5. ” Incidentally, this is also the safe choice when in doubt whether the car is E10-suitable and neither information site nor dealer provide a definite answer. A number of brands have not retroactively tested E10 suitability.
Aggressive liquid
Where exactly is the problem? Didn’t Euro 95 already contain up to 5 percent bioethanol? “Bio-ethanol is a somewhat more aggressive fuel,” says Benning. “Construction materials and seals can be compromised. New cars are adapted to it. Aluminum, injectors, pipes and the tank have to be able to withstand it. ” It is known that hoses, rubbers, gaskets and the like can leak, sometimes quite quickly. You might think, just take a look at the list, but practice is more difficult. “The problem is that you cannot find all vehicles in the E10 overview because the manufacturers have not specified all types. Sometimes they can’t retroactively test it for older models. It is therefore advisable to first consult the instruction booklet or the fuel filler flap. If that information is no longer available or if there is nothing in it about E10, visit the website. And when in doubt, there is always the dealer. ”
Misunderstanding
In the car world, the rule of thumb sometimes applies that you are always good with the newer models and that for cars built before the year 2000, the alarm bells should ring. Let’s get that misunderstanding out of the way right away. It is certainly not that simple date-bound. The rule of thumb can be dangerous, Benning also reports: “The first series of direct injection engines poses a risk. The first GDIs, for example. ” Look in our readers’ section or google for the subject, and you will indeed find a lot of cars from well after the turn of the century. For example, we note a post about the owner of a Toyota Avensis from 2006, who eventually got rid of his car. A summary of the problems: lambda sensors give error messages, the engine management light is on, the fuel pump is defective, seals are dissolving. To be fair, it is a matter of many more brands, including European ones. Volkswagen states via the official national information site e10check.nl that, among other things, certain FSI engines up to model year 2006 are not suitable for E10. Note: you will find these in very popular models such as the Polo and the Golf.
At Mercedes-Benz, the problem is with the first series of direct injection engines. The same list also shows that the aforementioned Avensis with the 2.0 or 2.4 engine is indeed not officially E10-resistant until 2008. Certain Opels were also made E10-suitable remarkably late. Sometimes the problem is apparently related to accessories; For example, Audi makes a note in the ‘list of lists’ for a number of cars with ex-factory parking heating. Surf through e10check.nl yourself and you will be amazed by the amount of exceptions. A negative advice then applies …
All that fuss
In short, we should just forget the rule of thumb that cars from after 2000 are suitable. The problem plays here and there until much later. The average car in our country is about eleven years old and with private drivers – you may assume – a bit older. Even with a car of at first glance ‘average age’ you come quite close to 2006 to 2008. With a number of brands you get in or close to the danger zone. Unfortunately, the government is making a contribution, because the car fleet in the Netherlands is relatively outdated as a result of our bpm. The buyer is shocked by the car taxes and thinks for a while before driving a newer model. After all, used cars are also relatively expensive. Ergo: the old problem cases do not go away too quickly on their own. The question where all the fuss is actually good for cannot be answered that simple. The fact is that ‘Europe’ pursues various goals. Blending in more ethanol makes us less dependent on fossil resources, which are often imported and not always from cheerful places. Bio-ethanol also emits less CO2 and you can produce it from renewable sources.
Benning: “Bio-ethanol often comes from the fermentation of sugars, corn and wheat. This is called a short-cycle, because during growth it has absorbed CO2, which is emitted again during combustion. The fleet will emit another two to three percent less CO2 on E10 compared to the old Euro 95; that was an E5 fuel that contained a maximum of 5 percent bioethanol. In fact, the profit is bigger. ” Interesting detail: that all explains why the government – according to a fuel specialist we spoke to – had wanted to go to E20 for a long time. Just look at the stickers on the back of the fuel flap of some cars. There are already mentioned much higher ‘E versions’ than the current E10. Ready for the future … With the cynical glasses on your nose you can see it as a possible new round in this problem. One thing is certain: it will become increasingly important to keep a close eye on which E-fuels a car still wants to use in the future.
In case of doubt …
If your car is suitable for E10, then there is little to worry about. However, due to the hygroscopic effect of the bio-ethanol in E10, specialists recommend that you drive for a while every week; you literally shake up the tank. In case of doubt, always choose the more expensive E5, especially if your car is stationary for a long time. In our country, E5 often contains hardly any bioethanol. The good news is that your car will probably perform better, with a slightly lower fuel consumption. The calorific value of ethanol is relatively low. With some luck and a controlled left foot you will earn back some of the additional costs of the more expensive petrol. Other tests by the ADAC confirm this consumption gain. Pay attention, because not all petrol stations offer that ‘super-E5’. Smaller and self-filling stations in particular sometimes have only two fuel types: E10 and diesel.