Engine Oil Fuel Types

E85 Fuel Engine Oils

E85 Fuel is a mixture consisting of 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded petrol. It is important to use engine oils that are compatible with E85 fuel. Oils meeting API SN Resource Conserving and ILSAC GF-5 are best able to handle E85 fuel as a specific test was introduced for oils meeting this specification for corrosion protection when used with E85 as the fuel.

Vehicles engineered to run on E85 are often referred to as Flex Fuel vehicles.

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Engine Oil Fuel Types

Engine oils differ by Fuel Type due to the combustion process generated by each type of fuel.

Diesel engines combust fuel by compression and create soot as part of the process, therefore oil needs to be able to absorb and carry soot without thickening. So diesel oils will have higher contents of dispersant and detergent to cater for this condition.

LPG fuel burns very dry and hot and has a tendencey to Nitrate the oil as part of the combustion process, therefore oils in LPG vehicles need to be able to resist this process.

Vehicles running on E85, will use more fuel than those running on unleaded, so the chance of dilution in the oil needs to be monitored. The API (American Petroleum Industry) advise that the best fuels for vehicles running on E85 are those that are API SN Resource Conserving, ILSAC GF-5 oils.

Petrol engines create acids as part of the combustion cycle, so modern oils have higher detergency to nullify the effects of the acidity. Modern spark ignited engines can also suffer from LPSI (Low Speed Pre-Ignition) caused by deposits in the combustion chamber, so petrol oils need to be be able to burn completely if residue is present in the combustion chamber

LPG Fuel Engine Oils

LPG Fuel vehicles powered by LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) or dual fuel (Petrol/LPG), need specialised engine oils to counteract effects such as oil nitration and valve seat recession. Oil nitration is the main cause of premature bearing failure in these engines. LPG also runs hotter and dryer than petrol and can cause valve seat recession in engines that are not using a correctly balanced engine oil. LPG oils have effective additives that counter balance the effects of running on LPG.

E10 Fuel Engine Oils

E10 Fuel is a blend of 90% Unleaded Petrol & 10% ethanol. Many vehicles can run on this blend of fuel and most engine oils, especially those meeting current specifications, with improved additive packs and higher detergency levels, are well suited to providing the protection required.

Diesel Fuel Engine Oils

Diesel Fuel engine oils contain higher quantities of detergents and dispersants to cope with the increased amount of soot created during engine operation. Later model vehicles fitted with DPFs may also need specialised Low or Mid SAPS oils.

Racing Fuels Engine Oils

Racing Fuels are generally higher octane versions of petrol that provide better engine efficiency and power. Most engine oils can easily cope with high octane fuels, e.g. Avgas.

Methanol and Alcohol Fuels Engine Oils

Methanol/Alcohol Fuels - Exotic fuels such as methanol and alcohol blends are generally used in motorsport. Most modern oils can provide adequate protection with these fuels providing that the oil does not become too diluted with the fuel. It is recommended that oils used with these fuels, be changed at least after each race meeting.