Petrol grade warning for Germany

[Lutz]

Following the almost complete disappearance of regular grade petrol in Germany a while back, they are starting to phase out Super now, too. It is being replaced by E10, a mixture of petrol and 10% ethanol. The trouble is E10 can damage engines which are not suited to this additive in the fuel. Mainly older vehicles are affected, but some current models, too. Because many people are unsure of its suitability for their particular car they are resorting to the much more expensive Super Plus grade and this has already created a shortage of Super Plus (which was hardly being purchased before).
I would therefore recommend anyone coming to or through Germany in the near future to check before departure whether their car will tolerate E10.

 

[DianneT]

Thats just Petrol is it Lutz. No change with Diesel?

 

[Lutz]

No, no change to diesel. Although Bio-diesel is offered at a few pumps, they are relatively few and far between and can be avoided quite easily, if necessary.
I did forget to mention, however, that a handful of pumps also sell E85, which is basically ethanol - like what is also readily available in Sweden (and very much so in Brasil). This also requires special measures to the engine before it can be used safely (some Saabs and Fords are OK to use it), but in general it should be avoided, despite the attractive price which is only about two-thirds of that of normal petrol.

 

[DianneT]

When we were in the Black Forest some years ago we put a tank full of Bio Diesel in our Citreon Synergie and it did not like it had to be towed in and tank emptied to refill with regular Diesel. Kia Garage recommend us not to use it in the Sorento when we asked. But we still gain as Regular Diesel is cheaper in Germany than the UK.

 

[cooky1]

Lutz, any idea how I can find out if my engine is suitable for E10? I will be staying near Germany in August for a couple of weeks and I will probably have a few visits there. I have a 2003 V8 BMW

Thanks.

Graeme.

 

[Lutz]

I've just had a look at the database that the German Auto Club ADAC have put together following all the confusion, so that owners can readily check what makes and models are affected and it states that all BMW's are E10 suitable, regardless of engine type and model year, so you're OK.

 

[cooky1]

Thanks Lutz. Might have a blast on the Autobahns now, knowing I won't damage the engine

 

[ValA.]

Hi Lutz, so just what fuels are available in Germany now? Sorry, but there's some dispute on another caravanning forum about this, and I knew you would know exactly what's available!

 

[Lutz]

Depending on what oil company you choose the brand names may differ, but basically the following grades are available:
Petrol
Regular (91 Octane) - this has virtually disappeared from the market but the odd petrol station may still be selling it. Where it is still available the price is invariably the same as for Super.
Super (95 Octane) - still widely available but starting to be phased out
E10 (95 Octane) - the replacement for Super. Currently about 50% of petrol stations have already introduced it, more in the east and south than elsewhere.
Super Plus (98, sometimes up to 100 Octane) - often known under special brand names, such as Shell V-Power
E85 (104 Octane minimum) - basically ethanol. Not very common, but a lot cheaper than all the other sorts of petrol. However, it usually requires modifications to the fuel system before it can be used without a problem.
Diesel
Regular - the most common
Bio-diesel - not very common. Often only found in rural areas. None of the major oil companies offer it.
Super - often under special brand names such as Shell V-Power diesel

Hope that helps.

 

[ValA.]

Thanks for that very clear explanation, Lutz. I'll add that to the thread on the other forum!

 

[Lutz]

I have just heard on the news that E10 is being introduced in France, too.

 

[Lutz]

I have since learned that a grade Sp95-E10 has been on sale in France for quite a while, but this is not the same as the German E10 (the chemical composition is different). Car manufacturer's approval for the E10 grade in one country does therefore not necessarily apply to the other, too.