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In Summer 2021, the UK made the switch to E10 as the standard petrol grade – as opposed to E5 – in a bid to cut carbon dioxide emissions. Formula 1 is now also committing to this change; as of next season all race cars will run on E10 fuel. Ferrari has complained of having to redesign the internal combustion engine of its vehicles to ensure the new fuel doesn’t negatively impact their performance on the track. But, what does the introduction of E10 really mean for us and our ‘ordinary’ vehicles?

If you’re not already clued up, E10 motor fuel contains less carbon and more ethanol (a kind of alcohol manufactured from plants) than other fuels. The idea is that E10 will help reduce the overall quantity of fossil fuel’s needed to power cars in the UK. Previously, the petrol grades in the UK were all known as E5, as they contained up to 5% ethanol, with the other 95% being regular unleaded petrol. Which means – you’ve guessed it – E10 contains 10% ethanol instead.

There is much debate as to whether E10 is damaging vehicles or not; many complain of a reduction in power meaning the car has to work harder, increasing overall fuel consumption. However, the government claims that this new, more eco-friendly fuel should be safe for every petrol vehicle built after 2011. Those with older vehicles should avoid it and use the old E5, which is still on sale in the super grade at most petrol stations. If you’re unsure visit https://check-vehicle-compatibility-e10-petrol.service.gov.uk/, a site set up by the government where you can check whether your car will run on E10 fuel. Be careful though, as the government will not be liable for any damage to your vehicle as a result of using its checker, especially if you have had replacement parts fitted. If you accidentally put E10 fuel in a vehicle that isn’t compatible, don’t panic as it will still run, according to the RAC. Over time though, it could cause damage to rubber seals, plastics and metals.

So, the big question; how environmentally friendly is E10 really? Of course, there is no straight answer. Despite the fact that ethanol is seen a carbon-neutral (the plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air while they are growing, offsetting the CO2 emitted when the fuel is burnt), sceptics are debating whether this is really the case. Some are even questioning using food crops to produce fuels from a moral standpoint, worrying that it may cause food shortages or an increase in food prices. It is yet to be determined whether this change is for the better or not – if it is genuinely good for the planet, drivers may just have to ‘suck it up’ and deal with the blow to their car’s performance.

As with most industries, the car world has its own version of Chinese whispers. Unfortunately, it’s often hard to determine what’s true and what’s false. Follow the wrong advice and you could suffer real-life consequences. 

So, what are some of the most common car maintenance myths?

Premium fuel is better for your car and will improve its performance

This myth can be both true and false, depending on the car you drive. The cheaper petrol fuel has to meet quality standards, so won’t actually harm your vehicle’s engine; however, if you have a car with a big engine, the premium option is best as it can make for a smoother and potentially even faster drive. If you drive a car with an average-sized engine, choosing premium fuel will cost you more without the added benefits – it makes absolutely no difference to the cars’ performance in this case.

Roll down the windows instead of using the air conditioner for better fuel economy

Some people believe that rolling down the windows is better than blasting the air conditioning to keep your car cool. It’s thought that this reduces the amount of fuel consumed, however it actually makes little difference to fuel efficiency.

You need to change your oil every 3,000 miles

Although this used to be the case, nowadays how often you need to change your oil depends on the manufacturer. Schedule your oil changes based on your owner’s manual recommendations – otherwise you might as well pour your money down the drain. 

Vehicle servicing at independent repair shops will void your warranty

Many people assume that you should have your car serviced at the dealership while it’s under warranty, and that going elsewhere will void it. It’s in the dealerships best interest to make people believe this; however, it’s not true. Any VAT registered garage can work on cars under warranty – just save your receipts to prove what was done and how much it cost. As long as the garage you go to sticks to the maintenance specified in the owner’s manual and does it at the correct times, your warranty will stay intact.

There are lots of motoring myths out there, some harmless, others that could cause serious damage to your car. Hopefully the above will save you some grief!

It may be referred to as the most wonderful time of the year, but, for unprepared drivers, it can quickly turn into the most dangerous. Now, we don’t want to put a dampener on the festivities, but believe us when we say nothing could ruin this season more than getting a flat battery on the way to stuff your face with Christmas dinner. 

Here are five things you can do to get your car ready for winter:

1) Check your battery

Your battery suffers from cold temperatures and the increased use of your lights, heater and blower at this time of year, putting it under extra pressure. If it’s already in need of some TLC, you may find yourself stuck on the side of the road with a car that won’t start – not to mention how cold you would be!

2) Top up your engine coolant with antifreeze

Although this may seem like a simple job, there’s still a right and wrong way to do it. For example, if you’ve previously topped up your coolant with water, any antifreeze added later would be over-diluted and be prone to freezing. To avoid any problems, it’s best to take your car to a garage who can do it for you. 

3) Inspect your tyres

When it starts to feel like the North-Pole outside the roads can turn icy, making them particularly perilous. Make sure your tyres are ready to tackle this by checking their pressure and tread depth. We recommend a minimum tread depth of 3mm.

4) Get ready for icy mornings

If you haven’t allocated yourself enough time before work in the morning to de-ice your car, you may feel compelled to drive off without finishing the job, despite your sight being compromised. Obviously, this is incredibly risky, so it’s important that you’re prepared for this scenario; you should always have a good scraper (if not, something similar like a spatula or credit card can work too) and a De-Icer product in your car. 

5) Book in for a winter car service

If your car is due a service, get it done before the temperature plummets. A mechanic will look at your tyres, battery, coolant and antifreeze, windscreen wipers, lights and oil. Getting everything checked and any work done by a professional prior to the cold weather will give you peace of mind that you’re as safe on the road as you can be this winter.

Your tyres are the only contact your car has with the road, so it’s crucial that you take care of them.

The legal tyre tread depth in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, however, most recommend a minimum tread depth of 3mm for optimal safety.

If your tyres don’t meet this requirement, not only does this pose a safety risk, but you could also receive a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points on your licence.

The quickest and easiest way to make sure your tyres are road-worthy is by conducting your own checks: 

1.  First, consider your tyre pressure.
   You should be able to tell if they are flatter than normal simply by taking a closer look – in this case, you will need to get them inflated at a nearby petrol station or garage.
   
2. Now onto tread depth.
   Take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves on one of your tyres. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit, and you’re good to go. On the other hand, if the band of the coin is still visible, your tyres could be unsafe and you will need to get them inspected by a local garage.
    
3. Complete this step for every tyre.
   (It is wise to check your spare tyre at the same time).
   NOTE: make sure to check the inner and outer tread of the tyre. You can do this by turning the wheel left to right. 

It is recommended that drivers carry out the above test every two weeks or so and before long journeys.

If you’re unsure whether your tyres are safe or not, or if you’re having trouble checking them yourself, it’s always best to pop into your local garage and ask for help, rather than dismissing the risk. The only way to be 100% sure your tyres are safe is to inspect them on a ramp, just in case the inner wall is damaged. 

We offer a free tyre health check, where we can identify any problems and explain the work required to repair it and any costs. We can also supply and fit tyres of all sizes and brands on cars and vans.

Call us in Hunstanton on 01485 533786 or King’s Lynn on 10553 763763 to book your free tyre health check. We also offer 4-wheel alignment at our King’s Lynn garage.

Taking insipiration from recent events, we thought it fitting to place a focus on petrol. Although we’re now past the panic now, we can shed some light on another issue associated with fuel – putting the wrong one in your car. 

Petrol shortage scare or not, every three and a half minutes someone in the UK puts the wrong fuel in their car. It’s one of those things that “won’t happen to you”…until it does. Here’s what to do if you get unlucky.  

Putting diesel in a petrol car is less damaging than the other, more common, way around. This is because it’s of a different consistency to petrol; it’s harder to ignite in the engine of a petrol car. For this reason, the engine may not even start if this is attempted. But, it’s not worth taking the risk. If you know you have pumped the wrong fuel into your vehicle the most sensible thing to do is stay put until the problem is resolved. 

How to prevent misfuelling

• Double-check the hose or nozzle you are about to use. The colour may elude to the right fuel but it’s best to look for more clues to back that up.
• Read the pump’s trigger label properly. 
• Put reminders in your car. A sticker inside the fuel cap or on the inside of the driver’s side door will do. 
• Don’t be distracted when filling up. Concentrate on the task at hand. 
• Remember, if you’re stressed, or in a hurry, you’re more likely to make a mistake, so take extra care.
• If you have a diesel car, buy a stopper for the filler neck so the narrower petrol nozzle doesn’t fit.