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boardtorque Pirelli P Zero TM . Custom-made performance since 1986. For more than 30 years, P Zero TM tyres have been the choice of the most prominent carmakers, for the best vehicles in the world. Today, based on this experience and on its cutting-edge technology, Pirelli launches the new P Zero TM , the custom-made tyre for the next generation of cars, designed to draw out an even greater range of driving emotions. For custom-made performance, look no further than P Zero TM . Discover more on Pirelli.com The new P Zero TM tyres are now available. The coloured limited edition version shown in the image will be available to order from September 2016, in selected sizes only. For further information, please contact us at Richard Stern – Series Director limitededition@pirelli.com

E10 Fuel: As part of the government’s latest effort to thwart polluting petrolpowered motors and cut carbon dioxide emissions, it has announced that an eco-friendly E10 fuel will become standard at filling stations across the UK. Unfortunately, due to the high ethanol content, it’s not compatible with hundreds of thousands of older cars.

It will be the standard grade at British filling stations from 2021. Ethanol absorbs carbon dioxide, and by increasing the percentage in UK fuels, it’s estimated a reduction of CO2 emissions by about 750,000 tonnes per year – equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.

Currently, UK fuels only contain up to 5% ethanol (E5), whereas the E10 blend, which contains 90% regular unleaded and 10% ethanol, is offered at petrol stations across the EU.

But drivers of older cars have been left alarmed at the announcement, for the standardisation of such ‘biofuel’ could physically rule their car redundant. While new cars sold in the UK since 2011 have had to be E10 compatible, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has estimated almost 8% of petrol-engined vehicles in the UK are not compatible with E10. In fact, according to the RAC, ‘owners of cars registered prior to 2002 are advised not to use E10 in their vehicle, as problems have been reported’. Such problems are said to include damage to seals, plastics and metals caused by bioethanol’s corrosive properties due to its high water content.

Many carbureted cars, or those that previously ran on leaded fuel, are included in this warning, while some turbocharged or performance vehicles require a minimum octane rating of 95 or 98 and so should not be refuelled with E10.

It’s an alarming reality for many classic car owners, and while the Department for Transport has now confirmed that E5 fuels will remain available from 2021, it is as yet unknown whether they will command a premium. Motorists wondering whether their car is compatible with E10 fuels should contact the manufacturer.

And while the introduction of E10 fuels will likely appease environmentalists and help the government meet its emissions targets, it’s likely to be the little guys that take the hit. Research carried out by What Car? in 2014 revealed that E10 is potentially less efficient than the current E5, particularly in smaller-engined cars, thus increasing the cost of drivers’ annual fuel bills.

HOW DOES E10 FUEL CAUSE PROBLEMS?

Ethanol in fuel has been around since 2008, and in the industry we are

already seeing problems arising from the current addition of low levels of ethanol in existing fuels (even up to the 5% level). These problems include deposits blocking fine mesh fuel filters, degradation of fuel pipes and hoses and internals of carburettors suffering corrosion.

The regime required to fully empty and clean fuel systems between uses of the car is prohibitive both in terms of time and practicality, and replacing components with ethanol compatible ones may not always be economical, or in certain cases, even possible.

HOW MANY CARS WILL BE AFFECTED?

While current estimates suggest that there are 700,000 vehicles that are incompatible with E10 fuel in regular use on the UK’s roads, the government estimates that scrappage schemes will remove the majority of these, leaving only a few of what they term “cherished and classic” vehicles.

Personally I am hoping an additive like we had for lead substitute will be found, the other option is to use the car more often, as when older cars are parked up that’s when the damage can be done due to the increased water content.