How can I minimise the risk of misfuelling?<\/h3><\/div>![\"Danny](\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/07\/Danny-Butler.jpg\")
<\/p>
Finder insurance expert Danny Butler<\/a> answers <\/em><\/div><\/div>You might think there\u2019s no chance you\u2019d ever put the wrong fuel in your car. But it can be surprisingly easy to grab the wrong pump if you\u2019re distracted \u2013 especially if you\u2019ve recently switched to a new car that takes a different fuel to your old one.<\/p>
It\u2019s often harder to misfuel a petrol car with diesel, as the nozzles for diesel pumps are bigger. This makes them harder (though not necessarily impossible) to fit into the entrance to a petrol tank. Unfortunately the same is not true of fitting smaller petrol nozzles into a diesel tank.<\/p>
Tactics to reduce the risk of filling your tank with the wrong fuel include:<\/p>
- Use stickers, on the dashboard or the petrol cap, to remind you of the kind of fuel you need to use. This could be particularly handy if you\u2019ve just changed cars.<\/li>
- Minimise distractions as much as possible while you\u2019re refuelling. We know there\u2019s little that can be done to block out chatter if you\u2019ve got noisy kids in the back, but try to avoid filling up when you\u2019re tired or stressed. And don\u2019t attempt to multitask by checking messages on your phone.<\/li>
- If a fuel nozzle feels particularly tight or loose in the tank filler neck, take a second to check that you\u2019ve picked up the right one.<\/li>
- If you drive a diesel car, you can buy small devices (for about \u00a330 or \u00a340) that prevent petrol nozzles from fitting in the filler neck.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
What is E10 petrol?<\/h3>
E10 petrol is a new grade of petrol that replaced E5 petrol as the standard used in petrol forecourts in Great Britain from September 2021. In Northern Ireland, the change applies from early 2022.<\/p>
The number after the \u201cE\u201d refers to the percentage of renewable ethanol in the petrol. A higher percentage reduces the greenhouse gases associated with petrol vehicles and is better for the environment. The Department for Transport (DFT) has estimated that the switch will cut transport CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year \u2013 equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.<\/p>
Most modern petrol cars are compatible with E10 petrol. Using it can have a tiny effect on fuel efficiency, but it\u2019s unlikely to be noticeable in everyday driving. You can read more about the change and the reasons for it on the DFT website<\/a>.<\/p>Diesel cars are unaffected by the change.<\/p>
Can my car take E10 petrol?<\/h3>
According to the Department for Transport, 95% of petrol vehicles on the road are compatible with E10. This includes:<\/p>
- All new cars manufactured since 2011<\/li>
- Most cars and motorbikes manufactured since the late 1990s<\/li><\/ul>
<\/p>
You might think there\u2019s no chance you\u2019d ever put the wrong fuel in your car. But it can be surprisingly easy to grab the wrong pump if you\u2019re distracted \u2013 especially if you\u2019ve recently switched to a new car that takes a different fuel to your old one.<\/p>
It\u2019s often harder to misfuel a petrol car with diesel, as the nozzles for diesel pumps are bigger. This makes them harder (though not necessarily impossible) to fit into the entrance to a petrol tank. Unfortunately the same is not true of fitting smaller petrol nozzles into a diesel tank.<\/p>
Tactics to reduce the risk of filling your tank with the wrong fuel include:<\/p>
- Use stickers, on the dashboard or the petrol cap, to remind you of the kind of fuel you need to use. This could be particularly handy if you\u2019ve just changed cars.<\/li>
- Minimise distractions as much as possible while you\u2019re refuelling. We know there\u2019s little that can be done to block out chatter if you\u2019ve got noisy kids in the back, but try to avoid filling up when you\u2019re tired or stressed. And don\u2019t attempt to multitask by checking messages on your phone.<\/li>
- If a fuel nozzle feels particularly tight or loose in the tank filler neck, take a second to check that you\u2019ve picked up the right one.<\/li>
- If you drive a diesel car, you can buy small devices (for about \u00a330 or \u00a340) that prevent petrol nozzles from fitting in the filler neck.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
What is E10 petrol?<\/h3>
E10 petrol is a new grade of petrol that replaced E5 petrol as the standard used in petrol forecourts in Great Britain from September 2021. In Northern Ireland, the change applies from early 2022.<\/p>
The number after the \u201cE\u201d refers to the percentage of renewable ethanol in the petrol. A higher percentage reduces the greenhouse gases associated with petrol vehicles and is better for the environment. The Department for Transport (DFT) has estimated that the switch will cut transport CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year \u2013 equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.<\/p>
Most modern petrol cars are compatible with E10 petrol. Using it can have a tiny effect on fuel efficiency, but it\u2019s unlikely to be noticeable in everyday driving. You can read more about the change and the reasons for it on the DFT website<\/a>.<\/p>
Diesel cars are unaffected by the change.<\/p>
Can my car take E10 petrol?<\/h3>
According to the Department for Transport, 95% of petrol vehicles on the road are compatible with E10. This includes:<\/p>
- All new cars manufactured since 2011<\/li>
- Most cars and motorbikes manufactured since the late 1990s<\/li><\/ul>