E10 – Tank on the way?

Posted by Terje Bjørnstad
e10
New pumps at the gas station.

If all goes as the EU wants, 95-octane will be replaced by E10. See here whether your car can withstand the new ethanol mixture!

 

E10 or E85?

My French gas station has been closed for some time for refurbishment. When I went to fill up for the first time after the reopening, I couldn't find 95 octane. In disbelief, I checked the other pumps. No 95-octane to be seen, nor anything else I noticed. "B7", "E10" and "E85". "B7" is diesel with 7 percent biofuel. "E10" is 95% lead-free with 10 percent ethanol. "E85" is 85 percent ethanol. OK, green pump "E10" had to be the closest you can get to 95 octane. The question was just…

Would the rental car handle it?

Yes, the Seat could handle E10. Almost all modern petrol cars can handle E10, but there are exceptions. I have gone through lists from the French authorities and set up as detailed an overview as possible. One common feature that repeats itself on cars that cannot tolerate E10 is that they are early direct-injection engines. If you own an Alfa Romeo JTS, Mercedes-Benz CGI, Mitsubishi GDI, Toyota D4 (petrol) or Volkswagen/Audi/Skoda with an FSI engine, you should not give the E10 a second thought. It is estimated that 97 percent of the car fleet in France can use E10. The others are forced to switch to 98-octane, which is also more expensive.

Uncertainty about Alfa Romeo

The overview of who can refuel E10 is based on information provided by the factories themselves. The car brand about which there is the most uncertainty is Alfa Romeo. They have worked a lot with direct injection (JTS) and the question is whether new models can withstand E10. I expect that more information will be provided from the factory/importer when E10 is introduced in this country. If you are going to drive an Alfa Romeo on the continent this summer, I would check with the dealer to be sure.

EU environmental policy

The rationale for mixing (more) ethanol into the petrol is primarily for environmental reasons. Ethanol burns cleaner. Moreover, it can be produced locally – at least in France – and is more short-hauled than oil. In France, the petrol tax is lower on ethanol products. Right now E10 is 5 centimes (5 cents) cheaper than 95 octane in my town. Actually, 95-octane and E10 are not going to be competitors. Eventually, today's 95-octane will disappear.

Preparation of E10

France is the country that has so far come the farthest in the process of introducing E10. Germany, Italy and the Netherlands are close behind. Norway will probably start distributing E10 during 2020. Maybe we will get a tax benefit on the new fuel? I think E85 is unlikely to be introduced in Norway. Partly because the ethanol will probably have to be transported from neighboring countries, and partly because more and more people are switching to electric cars.

Ethanol is only an intermediate stop on the way to an emission-free society.

e10
If you have a Golf 5 with an FSI engine, you should choose 98 unleaded rather than E10.

E10 overview

Alfa Romeo
Alfa-Romeo has provided a list of which cars can refuel with E10. What about the others, for example the new Giulia, Stelvio, Alfa 4C or Giulietta? A German site is recommended to contact the workshop before refueling.
Mito: OK.
156: Contact dealer!
159: OK for 1,8 16V, 1,8 16V TBi and 3,2 JTS V6. Others: Contact dealer!
Brera: Same as 159.
Spider: Same as 159.
Alfa 8C: OK for 4.7 32V.
Giulietta: Contact dealer!
Giulia: Contact dealer!
Alfa 4C: Contact dealer!

Audi
All models from 1.1.1992: OK with the exception of the following:
2003-05 A2 1,6 FSI 110: Not OK.
2004 A3 1,6 FSI 115: Not OK.
2004 A3 2,0 FSI 150: Not OK.
2004 A4 2,0 FSI 150: Not OK.
2001-08 A4 all models with factory fitted parking heater. Guess it is the heater which cannot tolerate E10.

BMW
All models, as long as they can withstand lead-free 95: OK.

Cadillac
All models from 1.1.1997: OK.

Caterham
Caterham does not make its own engines, but sources them from other car manufacturers. Models from 2006, based on Ford and Suzuki, are all approved for E10 - and according to Caterham can use E10. For cars before 2006, super lead-free (E5) is recommended. It is always recommended to let the car run on super city free (E5) before any winter storage.

Chevrolet
All models approved for Euro 5 and above: OK.

Citroën
All models from 1.1.2000: OK.

Dacia
All models: OK.

Daewoo
All models: Not OK.

Daihatsu
All Sirion mk1 1998-2004: Not OK.
All 2 and up Sirion mk300 M2004 with VIN starting with JDAM3: OK.
All Terios mk1 1997-2006: Not OK.
All 2 and up Terios mk210 J2006 with VIN starting with JDAJ2: OK.
All Copen from 2002: OK.

Fiat
All models from 1.1.2000: OK with the exception of the following:
Barchetta 1,8 16V: Not OK.
1995-2001 Bravo/Brava 1,6 16V: Not OK.
Dobló 1,6 16V: Not OK.
Marea 1,6 16V and 2,0 20V: Not OK.
Multipla 1.6 16V: Not OK.
1999-2010: Punto 1,8 16V: Not OK.
Stilo 1,6 16V, 1,8 16V and 2,4 20V: Not OK.

Ford
All models from 1.1.2000: OK with the exception of the following:
2004-06 Mondeo 1,8 DOHC DISI CFBA 130HP (Mazda engine with direct injection): Not OK.

Honda
All models with injection engines: OK.

Hyundai
All models from 1.1.1992: OK.

Jaguar
All models from 1.1.1992: OK.

KIA
All models from 1.1.2000: OK.

Lancia
All models from 1.1.2000: OK with the exception of the following:
Lybra 1,6 16V, 1,8 16V and 2,0 20V: Not OK.
Thesis 2,0 20V, 2,0 T 20V, 2,4 20V, 3,0 V6 24V, 3,2 V6 24V: Not OK.

Land Rover
All models from 1.1.1996: OK.

Lexus
All European models from 1.1.1998: OK with the exception of the following:
Aug.2005-Sep.2007 IS250 2,5 V6 4GR-FSE: Not OK.
Jan.2005-Sep.2007 GS300 3,0 V6 3GR-FSE: Not OK.
Aug.2006-Sep.2007 LS460 4,6 V8 1UR-FSE: Not OK.

Mazda
All models from 1.1.2002: OK, with the exception of the following:
Early 2019 models with SkyActiv-X (SCCI) require an upgrade (o-ring kit) to be E10 ready. Models from 2020 are OK.
Apr.1998-Sep.2005 MX-5 mk2 (NB): Not OK.

Mercedes-Benz
All models from 1.1.1993: OK with the exception of the following:
Models with V12 engine: Not OK.
Jan.2002-12.2005 All models with 1,8 MPFI 170HP engine type M271.942: Not OK.
A-Class Turbo: Not OK.
B-Class Turbo: Not OK.
C 200 CGI 170HK W203: Not OK.
CLK 200 CGI 170HK W209: Not OK.

Mini
All models from 1.1.2000: OK.

Mitsubishi
All models from 1986: OK with the exception of the following:
Models (including Carisma and Grandis) with GDI direct injection: Not OK.

Nissan
All models from 1.1.2000: OK.

Opel
All models from 1.1.2000: OK with the following exceptions:
All models with 2,2 with direct injection, 155HP, engine type Z22YH: Not OK.

Peugeot
All models from 1.1.2000: OK.

Porsche
All models from 1.1.2000: OK

Renault
All models from 1.1.1997: OK with the exception of the following:
Renault 19: Not OK.
Megane mk1 2,0 IDE: Not OK.
Laguna mk2 2,0 IDE: Not OK.
Jan.2000-Dec.2002 Laguna mk2 2,0 Turbo: Not OK.
Jan.2000-Dec.2002 Espace mk4 2,0 Turbo: Not OK.

Saab
All models from 1.1.1979: OK.

Seat
All models from 1.1.1997: OK with the exception of the following:
Ibiza/Cordoba before 2002: Not OK.
Altea/Toledo from 2004 2,0 FSI 150 engine code BLR: Not OK.

Skoda
All models from 1.1.1990: OK with the exception of the following:
1995-2002 Felicia 1,3 OHV 54HP and 68HP: Not OK without modification.
1999-2007 Fabia mk1 1,4 102HP engine code BBZ: Not OK.
1996-2007 Octavia mk1 1,8 180HP engine code AUQ: Not OK.
Octavia mk2 1,6 FSI 115HK engine code BLF: Not OK.
Octavia mk2 2,0 FSI 150HK engine codes BLR and BVY: NOT OK.
Octavia mk2 RS 2,0 TFSI 200HP engine code BWA: Not OK.
Superb mk1 2,8 V6 192HP engine code AMX: Not OK.

Smart
All models from 1.1.1993 with the exception of Brabus: OK.

Subaru
All models from 1.1.1991: OK.

Suzuki
All European models from 1.1.1993: OK.

Toyota
All European models from 1.1.1998: OK with the exception of the following:
Jul.2000-Oct.2008 Avensis 2,0 D4 VVT-i engine code 1AZ-FSE: Not OK.
Jun.2003-Oct.2008 Avensis 2,4 D4 VVT-i engine code 2AZ-FSE: NOT OK.

Volkswagen
All models from 1.1.1992: OK with the exception of the following:
2001-04 Lupo 1,4 FSI 105HP: Not OK.
2002-09 Polo 1,4 FSI 86HP: Not OK.
2002-04 Golf IV/Bora 1,6 110HP: Not OK.
2004-05 Golf V FSI 1,4 FSI 90HP, 1,6 115HP and 2,0 150HP: Not OK.
2004 Touran 1,6 FSI 115HP and 2,0 150HP: Not OK.

Volvo
All models from 1.1.1977: OK with the exception of the following:
S40/V40 mk1 1.8i (Mitsubishi direct injection engine): Not OK.

If you see the E10 mark on the inside of the tank cap, you are safe. Here on an Audi A3 30 TFSI.

 

Terje Bjørnstad. Blog administrator, hobby photographer and car enthusiast.

Comments

  1. Thank you very much for the super explanation.
    Have a "summer car" from '06 that I was unsure if it could withstand this. I found little information before I came across this page 👍🏻

    SVAR

  2. Great website with good information about which cars can tolerate E10 petrol. Dice roll 6

    SVAR

  3. What about lawnmowers, snowblowers, chainsaws, tractors, I have a 1998 mod Saab 900, do I have to switch to 98 octane petrol then??

    SVAR

    1. The Saab will probably handle E10 just fine. I would also think that new/newer implements with 4-stroke engines can handle E10. As for 2-strokes, I would have chosen 98 octane so that the mixture does not run too dry.

      SVAR

    1. The Mitsubishi Lancer can run on E10 for the cars that were imported to Norway with 1,3 and 1,6 engines in 2000. Later versions of the Lancer EVO can have engines (GDI) that cannot withstand E10.

      SVAR

      1. Great, thanks for the info👍👍
        Is a 1.6 2000 model.
        I have heard that there can be more condensation on this type of petrol, do you know anything about this?

        SVAR

  5. Hi, have a Toyota E11 from 1999 1,3. I think this is made in Japan. Can it use E10 in the long term? Are there European models in the overview...

    SVAR

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