Using E10 petrol in Focus

[Crazy CS]

Hey guys,

As you noticed the petrol price has become rediculously expensive and it's getting a bit out of pocket.

I have a 2009 Ford Focus which i have been running on 95/98 since i got it in Jan 2010 and recently saw in the manual that the car can run ok on E10.

Anyone out there using E10? / Should i consider using E10?

[kevino]

You can use it. Ford okay it. The engine loses a touch of power and torque and your fuel economy reduces say 6.3 on 95 highway moves up to6.6ltrs/100kms on E10.Bear in mindm Caltex/Shell/Bp/711 E10 is 91 mixed with e10.
The price differential between e10 and 95 (at the independents)is only what 2 or 3 cents now -so all in all 95 is better. 91 Octane is as bad as E10, same result. When petrol was cheaper say $1.04 litre and E10 $1.00 a litre E10 stacked up but now 95 say $1.46 and E10 $1.43 its not worth it.
I buy 95 from the independents in Qld, Freedom/Matilda/United.

[Neale]

like kevino said there is not mutch difference in the price of E10 & it will probably work out the same in the end with increased fuel consumption when using E10.

Just make sure you use 95ron fuel as this is what your car is tuned for & you will get the best economy.

As far as Ethanol mix fuels go there are many different opinions on if its good or bad, but alot of them seam to be bad.

From what ive read, the reason for this is that Ethanol is an Alcohol & can attract water from the humidity in the air & condensation.

This can effect the consistancy of quality (eg. if it can have decrease the octane if it attracts any water).
The moisture can also cause corrosion to some of the metal parts in the fuel system & motor.

One other thing about Ethanol is that it is a solvent & can cause damage to plastics & rubbers if they are not designed for it.

One thing that happened to a friend of mine had an older fiberglass speedboat that they used e10 in & some fuel spilt onto the fiberglass & it ate away the resin on the fibreglass. Apparently the newer boats now have an ethanol resistant resin to prevent this happening.

[Keepleft]

If you can afford 98 - do so.

[vztrt]

The united stuff is better for the E10.

But with all fuel, compare it to what your using and see if there are real savings.

[mrbaxr6t]

I tried 10 bux E10 in wifes' LV XR5 drove 5 kms and went OH F%^K NO and topped off the tank with BP ultimate, let me put it this way if what the car was telling me was correct it was HALF as economical as my XR6 turbo... never ever will I do this again

[03 GHIA]

Originally Posted by vztrt

The united stuff is better for the E10.

The only E10 I'd use would be United. Standard 91 the car runs poorly but the United E10 seems to be good almost feels the same as 98, just used about .5L more per 100k.

[SpasticBus]

Originally Posted by mrbaxr6t

I tried 10 bux E10 in wifes' LV XR5 drove 5 kms and went OH F%^K NO and topped off the tank with BP ultimate, let me put it this way if what the car was telling me was correct it was HALF as economical as my XR6 turbo... never ever will I do this again

You based your conclusion on what your trip computer was telling you from a 5km journey? Does your xr5 have instant fuel consumption?

I'm not sure, because my LT TDCi only does average. If you aren't getting instant fuel consumption, then 5km isn't really going to tell you the full story from my experience. Out of 44L in my diesel, i usually get 800Km. That's about 5.5-5.6L/100Km. After about 3-400Km of driving, my trip computer will show about 5.7L/100Km, but before this point, it's higher. I just filled up the other day and have done 60Km and it is currently reading 6.2.

Oh and before someone says "your fuel consumption is going down because your car is lighter as you use fuel", i don't think 30Kg of fuel results in 10% more fuel consumption