cyto

I have a 2003 A4 2 litre which I have been using e10 ,95 octane but everything I read says this model shouldn't be running with e10 does anyone know why as octane is right ,should I expect the engine to melt or blow up.

uberwgn

The fuel system components may not be rated to withstand ethanol.

cyto

Thank you although you have to wonder why in that year

uberwgn

Cyto, what country are you writing from? Are you forced to use E10 gasoline?

cyto

Australia ,no I do not have to use e10 but much cheaper than 95 or 98 octane and as I say have used it in other cars and found it quite good plus it could very soon be in all fuel here

John Simcox

In the same way that (UK at least) diesels are not rated for using biodiesel due to "bio" component not being compatible with the seals used in the fuel lines. It woul also seem that cars may experience starting problemns with E10 fuel due to it being less stable than normal fuel (whichis often e5 by default).

To th OP if advise is that your engine is not recommended for e10 use then I would suggest not using it or at best only fill up every 4th tank with it. BTW this forum is for the current A6 (C7 platform), your car is a B6 version of the A4. You may get a better response from that forum as there will be prople there with experience of your engine type

cyto

Thanks fella's for your suggestions some things to think about

uberwgn

Cyto, also, doesn't your engine have a minimum octane requirement of 98 RON?

lyleswk

Here is my understanding on blended gasses.

1) As far as octane, octane is octane, regardless of the makeup of the gasoline. If your car doesn't "knock" or pre-detonate, it isn't directly damaging...except for 2)...
2) What the higher ethanol gasses do is degrade fuel system bits that weren't designed to handle them. These are typically fuel lines, but also over long periods, alcohols propensity to absorb water will cause corrosion. This is very insidious and you would probably never realize it's happening. Maybe not such an issue in Australia by the way.
3) You will have noticeably less power output and lower MPG (or L/100 km I think in your case) so, it may not be cheaper in the long run.
4) Depending on your position on global warming / climate change and CO2 emissions, it does produce less CO2 emissions.

Other thoughts welcome

david9999

e10 shouldn't be a problem. That is all you can get in the northeast US. during the winter. Ethanol does however give you higher L/100km, or lower mpg, depending on where you are in the world, so savings are a bit less than you calculate just on the price difference.