Car Talk

[andyg]

36 minutes ago, Bikertov said:

I remember back in the early 80's organising an apprentice factory visit to Ford Dagenham. It was a massive place - they used to make Sierra's there at the times, along with the engine 

Most of it has all gone now, interesting fact about the old assembly hall site, after it had been demolished and during the build up to the London Olympics. The site was used as a rehearsals facility for the opening ceremony. It was all done at night as not to attract to much attention. Its all new industrial estates now. One of my first hgv driving job was ferrying trailers full of body panels from Tilbury docks into the plant. The last cars to roll off the line was the mazda 121,basically a Ford fiesta re baged. I live just over the back of there dunton development facilitie, it's still going strong. 

[annv]

I will say that Honda's are bad for business rarely need repairs ford's easily and quick to repair French and Audi we are laughing all the way to the bank they pay for my boat. John

[BroadAmbition]

What is E10 Fuel? E10 Petrol Explained

Our petrol engine cars have been powered by unleaded fuel since 1988, but in recent years there’s been movement to create more environmentally-friendly alternatives. This has meant an increase in hybrid and electric cars, but it’s also encouraged the development of a new bio-fuel, called E10. Join us to find out more about the newest arrival to our petrol stations.

What is E10 Fuel? 

E10 fuel was introduced in the UK in September 2021. E10 is a biofuel, which is created from a blend of petrol and ethanol, and its name stems from the ratio of its two components: 90% unleaded to 10% renewable ethanol.

Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel produced by fermenting plants, such as grains, sugarcane and their bi-products, which absorb CO2 emissions as they grow. This means that it can provider a greener alternative to the petrol that’s been pumped into our cars for decades. E10 builds on the standard unleaded fuel construction, E5, which already contains up to 5% of ethanol.

What are the benefits of E10 Fuel?

The whole thought process behind the introduction of E10 fuel is to create a more environmentally-friendly everyday fuel that reduces CO2 emissions by using fewer fossil fuels.

Using higher levels of ethanol in petrol is a move which will help the UK hit its target of becoming carbon neutral in 2050. If we make the switch to E10, it’s estimated that the UK could cut 750,000 tonnes of CO2 a year -the equivalent of removing 350,000 cars from our roads. Meanwhile, E10 will also provide a boost to the nation’s biofuel industry, due to the renewed quantity of crops that need to be refined in the UK.

Can E10 Fuel be used in all cars?

Due to the fact that E10 fuel is a recent development, it’s not suitable for every type of car on our roads. The government estimate that around 95% of cars are compatible with E10, but it’s still thought that around 600,000 cars in the UK cannot use the biofuel.

A major factor that surrounds this issue is the age of the car. E10 began being used as a biofuel in other parts of the world before it was launched in the UK, and as a result, all new cars from 2011 onwards are guaranteed to be E10 compatible. Some cars produced before then can use E10, but this is dependent on the make and model. With this in mind, we recommend finding out whether it’s appropriate for your car by using the government’s E10 vehicle checker.

Can I use E10 if I have a classic car?

Guidance suggests that if your car was produced before 2002, you shouldn’t fill it up with E10. In some instances, the government guide above may not provide specific information for your car, due to its age. This generally happens with cars that are older than 15 – 20 years. If this has happened to you while trying to get confirmation, you should look for an alternative fuel to E10.

There’s still an option on the market for cars that cannot use E10, with the Department for Transport (DfT) confirming that E5 will be available in the form of super-unleaded petrol. A spokesperson for the UK Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA), stated that, “If an owner of a classic or cherished car is uncertain of their vehicle’s compatibility with petrol containing more the 5% ethanol and is unable to gain guidance from the vehicle manufacturer, they can avoid potential difficulties by using the super grade.” 

Can E10 Fuel Damage Engines? 

Using E10 fuel is not without its risks. It can cause potential damage to your engine, even if your car is compatible with this CO2 emission-reducing bio-fuel. This is due to ethanol being a hydroscopic agent, which means that it absorbs moisture from the air.

As the quantity of ethanol in E10 fuel is increased to 10%, the acidity levels in your petrol will be higher than before. As a result, E10 can corrode metals, plastics, rubber parts and seals, alongside potentially causing blockages in older engines and fuel systems. This may even cause component failure.

There have also been reports that using E10 can cause increases in fuel consumption, as it’s a less energy dense fuel. Meanwhile, switching to this fuel can also causing pinking (pre-detonation), which lowers the performance of a car

The best method of minimising the possibility of any side effects caused by E10, is using a specialist E10 protector. These can be used with all petrol engines and should be applied every time you stop for E10 fuel, with the best results achieved when you use it before refuelling.

This treatment acts as a shield to reduce the risk of expensive engine damage, cut friction and the wear of fuel system components. An E10 protector can also protect any fuel system components against corrosion, and provide lubrication to the whole fuel system, including its gaskets and seals.

It has the ability to counteract engine performance issues, and to improve fuel economy, while also stabilising fuel by preventing oxidation.

If you’re going to fill your tank up with this new biofuel, consider adding a protective layer to your engine.

Griff

(Copied over from Euro Carparts)

[grendel]

just glad i have a diesel

[annv]

Hi I would add that cars made before the war and some immediately after  were designed to run on unleaded,  Leaded fuel was invented/used to up the octane rating of aircraft engine fuel somewhere 140 octane,  the germans who produced there aircraft fuel from coal could only manage 95 octane. John

[Smoggy]

55 minutes ago, BroadAmbition said:

Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel produced by fermenting plants, such as grains, sugarcane and their bi-products, which absorb CO2 emissions as they grow. This means that it can provider a greener alternative to the petrol that’s been pumped into our cars for decades

And lot's of those fermenting plants were grown on land cleared of forest by slash & burn methods pouring all the co2 locked up in the trees back into the atmosphere and then still shipped halfway around the globe, a bit like palm oil and soya to keep the vegans feeling smug.

You have to wonder if the full carbon footprint difference is worked out properly on these things.

 

[Bikertov]

14 minutes ago, Smoggy said:

And lot's of those fermenting plants were grown on land cleared of forest by slash & burn methods pouring all the co2 locked up in the trees back into the atmosphere and then still shipped halfway around the globe, a bit like palm oil and soya to keep the vegans feeling smug.

You have to wonder if the full carbon footprint difference is worked out properly on these things.

 

Add to that the carbon footprint of having to buy a brand new car, compared to keeping an old but less economic one on  the road that has already had it's 'sunk cost' of CO2 in it's manufacturing.

[ScrumpyCheddar]

Well Its this time of the year again. We had a slight dusting on Monday morning on the hills. A bit of a slippery trip to work so  I thought I better get the duster out and get my winter boots fitted on. 

[BroadAmbition]

Nice one.  Both Trevor Transit and MrsG's Q5 are on their winter boots

Griff

[Andrewcook]

Hi Griff are these Brand New Tyre's for Your Trevor Van & Mrs got are better the other's say Dunlop or Michelin and a few others? 

[Popeye]

On 02/12/2021 at 14:46, BroadAmbition said:

Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel produced by fermenting plants, such as grains, sugarcane and their bi-products, which absorb CO2 emissions as they grow. This means that it can provider a greener alternative to the petrol that’s been pumped into our cars for decades. E10 builds on the standard unleaded fuel construction, E5, which already contains up to 5% of ethanol.

 

What needs to be realised is that fermenting the sugars in the plants to produce alcohol and ethanol the fermentation releases co2 back into the atmosphere where it came from.

Also given that the alcohol needs to be distilled and if the distillation involves fossil fuels basically you are back to square one.

I have just shoved half a tankful of E5 in my car which is compatible with E10. As it is not used much I don't want the hygroscopic element of E10 (ethanol) mixing with water vapour and settling out at the bottom of my tank to be pushed through my finely balanced fuel system and causing damage. 

[Smoggy]

Most of the benefits of bio-fuel are probably offset by the people changing their tyres for winter, do normal people do that any more?

(said the bloke in one of the flattest counties).

[Bikertov]

I think that from my next thankful, I will switch to Premium E5. My consumption has gone through floor with this new E10 stuff 

[Popeye]

19 hours ago, Smoggy said:

Most of the benefits of bio-fuel are probably offset by the people changing their tyres for winter, do normal people do that any more?

(said the bloke in one of the flattest counties).

I never change my tyres for Winter driving, I just adjust my driving technique and go a bit slower in wet conditions. Anti lock braking goes a big way towards safety anyway.

[oldgregg]

9 minutes ago, Popeye said:

 Anti lock braking goes a big way towards safety anyway.

Although it's beyond crap in the snow....

[ranworthbreeze]

2 hours ago, Popeye said:

I never change my tyres for Winter driving, I just adjust my driving technique and go a bit slower in wet conditions. Anti lock braking goes a big way towards safety anyway.

For the last two years or so I have not fitted winter tyres but before then I have had winter tyres, grips or chains in the past in Sheffield/North East Derbyshire when we get snow or black ice they are a must.

[ScrumpyCheddar]

3 hours ago, oldgregg said:

Although it's beyond crap in the snow....

As I found out myself last week 🤣

[CambridgeCabby]

Keep your contactless car keys in a protective pouch !!!!!!

 

i went to go to work this morning at 05:00 to find my Mercedes was no longer on my drive where I parked it the night before , my spare key was in a protective pouch but the one I use was upstairs on the bedside table , they must have used a laptop and scanner and grabbed the key signal , so far there has been numerous camera hits (some in excess of 150mph!!) and eyewitness sightings .

 

KEEP THE KEYS SAFE AND SHIELDED 

[Bikertov]

That's terrible - so sorry to hear that, especially at this time of year. 

[Oldspice]

It worth checking that if using a Faraday shielding pouch that it works after a period of time ... the inner lining material of the pouch is coated in a signal shielding product that is easily damaged when inserting keys/fob and unbeknown to you your signal is being leaked out.

Have had a few that have done this and they were not the cheapest either just check by putting key in the pouch and stand next to your vehicle and attempt to gain entry and start it.. have had only 1 that lasted more than 6 months.

I have opted to use a similar design but an actual Faraday box  which is similar to a small jewellery/trinket box that has a lid and is lined in the shielding material ... difference is keys are placed inside and not slid inside hence less or no damage to material... had same box now for nearly 18 months and still works perfectly and easily fits more than one set of keys in it with no signal loss ...

Also have a box onboard the boat as at times we can park close to our boat on its home mooring. 

[Tobster]

As a quick fix if you don’t have a Faraday pouch or box, you can leave you key(s) in the Microwave. Probably the most shielded item in your house.

[Oldspice]

Most cars now allow you to switch off the keyless entry by means of either car dealer doing it fir you or do it yourself with a OMBD reader ... it does then mean keyless entry is then cancelled and to unlock the doors you will need to press the button on your key fob/transmitter... 

Have done this to both my cars and also added a Ghost 2 immobiliser and a steering wheel disk lock to them ... joys of living in East London lol... 

[oldgregg]

I personally think that keyless entry should be banned as it's just not secure. If you have to keep the keys in a special box then there is a problem with the technology.

Also, I just don't see how it adds any convenience. everyone I know that has it seems constantly confused about which way you have to stroke the door handle to lock the car and just generally how it works.

What was wrong with pressing the button on the keyfob to unlock and another to lock and a transmitter that was only on when it needed to be so there was very little time for anyone to scan the signal?

A cynical person might think that car manufacturers are very keen on it because if cars are too secure then they sell fewer replacements to insurers.

[floydraser]

49 minutes ago, oldgregg said:

A cynical person might think that car manufacturers are very keen on it because if cars are too secure then they sell fewer replacements to insurers.

Also, insurance premiums would have to come down resulting in reduced profit potential. 

[Andrewcook]

Hi I did have a Key less Car as it was a Headache to me putting the Keys in the Microwave each time as to being on a ground floor flat and to remember to get it the keys out so they don't get cooked . I've now got a New Car back to the Old ways of using  keys as it's a less of a worry now thank goodness