Is My Car Ethanol Safe?

A common question for many motorists these days is whether or not their vehicle is safe for Ethanol-Blended petrol. So far the The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has been the source of information regarding whether or not your vehicle is safe for ethanol mixed fuel.

Alborz Fallah

12:1212 March 2007

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Check the table below to see if your car is ethanol safe.

Ethanol Safe Vehicles Table:

		E5 Suitable	E10 Suitable
BRAND	MODEL	Yes	No	Yes	No
Alfa Romeo	All models post 1998	√			x
Alfa Romeo	All models pre 1998		x		x
Audi	Audi A3 1.8L (Engine Code 'APG' 2000 onwards)and A4 2.0L (Engine Code 'ALT' 2001 onwards)		x		x
Audi	All models post 1986 except above	√		√
Bentley	All models post 1990	√		√
BMW	All models post 1986	√		√
Citroen	All models post 1998	√		√
Chrysler	All models post 1986	√		√
Daihatsu	Charade (September 2004 onwards); Terios (September 2004 onwards); Copen (October 2004 onwards); Sirion (November 2004 onwards)	√		√
Fiat	Punto	√			x
Ford	Focus (2002 - 2004), F-series (1986-1992), Ka (All), Maverick (All), Mondeo (All), Transit (1996 - 2004)	√			x
Ford	Capri (All), Courier 2.0L & 2.6L (All), Econovan (pre-2002), Festiva (All), Laser 1.3L, 1.5L & 1.6L (All), Raider (All), Telstar (All)		x		x
Ford	All models post 1986 except above	√		√
GMDaewoo	All models		x		x
Holden	Apollo (1/87-7/89), Nova (2/89-7/94), Barina (1985-1994), Drover (1985-1987), Scurry (1985-1986), Astra (1984-1989)		x		x
Holden	Astra SRi 2.2L (11/2006 onwards); Astra 2.2L Twin Top Convertible (11/2006 onwards)	√			x
Holden	All models post 1986 except above	√		√
Honda	Insight - 2004 onwards; Civic range (including Civic Hybrid) - 2004 onwards; S2000 - 2004 onwards; CRV - 2003 onwards; MD-X - 2003 onwards; Accord & Accord Euro - 2003 onwards; Integra – 2002 onwards; Odyssey – 2004 onwards; Jazz – 2004 onwards; Legend – 2006 onwards	√		√
Hyundai	All models post October 2003	√		√
Jaguar	All models post 1986	√		√
Kia	All models post 1996	√		√
Land Rover	All models post 1986	√		√
Lexus	IS200 pre May 2002	√			x
Lexus	All models post 1986 except above	√		√
Lotus	Elan (1989-1991); Esprit (4 cyl – 1987-1999); Elise (Rover engine – 1996-2004); 340R; Exige (Rover engine – 2001, 2002 & 2004); Europa (2006 onwards)		x		x
Lotus	Esprit (V8 – 1998-2004); Exige (Toyota engine – 2004 onwards); Elise (Toyota engine – 2004 onwards)	√		√
Mazda	Mazda2 - May 2005 build onwards, Mazda3, Mazda 6, RX-8, MX-5 – July 2005 build onwards, Tribute - April 2006 onwards, CX-7	√		√
Mazda	All models except above		x		x
Mercedes-Benz	All models post 1986	√		√
MG	All models	√			x
MINI	All models	√		√
Mitsubishi	All fuel injected models post 1986	√		√
Nissan	All models post 2004	√		√
Peugeot	306 (XU engine only)		x		x
Peugeot	All models post July 1997 except above	√		√
Porsche	All models		x		x
Proton	All models	√		√
Rover	All models	√			x
Renault	All models post 2001	√			x
Rolls Royce	All models between 1990 and 2002	√		√
Saab	All models post 1986	√		√
Ssangyong	Rexton, Stavic & Chairman models with 3.2 litre petrol engine	√		√
Subaru	All Subaru (before 1990)Subaru Liberty B4 (2002 to 2003)Subaru Liberty GT (2004 - 2006) Impreza WRX STI (1999 to 2005)		x		x
Subaru	All models post MY1990 except above	√		√
Suzuki	Alto, Mighty Boy, Wagon R+, Swift/Cino, Sierra, Stockman, Vitara, X-90, Jimny (SOHC), Super Carry, Suzuki Baleno and Baleno GTX		x		x
Suzuki	All models except above (providing RON requirements are met)	√		√
Toyota	Camry with carburettor engines pre July 1989 and Corolla pre July 1994; Supra - pre May 1993, Cressida - pre Feb 1993, Paseo - pre Aug 1995, Starlet - pre July 1999, Land Cruiser - pre Aug 1992, Coaster - pre Jan 1993, Dyna - pre May 1995, Tarago - pre Oct 1996, Hilux , Hiace, & 4 Runner - pre Aug 1997, Townace - pre Dec 1998		x		x
Toyota	All models except above	√		√
Volkswagen	All fuel injected models post 1986	√		√
Volvo	All models post 1986	√		√

To confirm it, the FCAI has conducted a study which has confirmed the accuracy of the information on the FCAI's website. The testing program, commissioned by the Australian Government and conducted by engineering firm Orbital Australia, focused on older vehicles listed by the FCAI as unsuitable for use with ethanol fuel blends.

"The information on FCAI's website has been compiled with the participation of its members, representing almost all the motor vehicle brands sold in Australia," said the chief executive of the FCAI, Peter Sturrock.

Thankfully, the research has also found that it is not only unethical but also inappropriate to allow five per cent ethanol E5 fuel to be sold unlabelled as this could cause damage to many cars which are not made to work with ethanol blends.

"The FCAI is pleased that the program has confirmed the suitability of the present fuel labeling arrangements," he said.

The FCAI says it is essential that drivers of older vehicles equipped with carburetors check the vehicles' fuel compatibility before using ethanol blends. Motorists driving older fuel-injected vehicles would also be well advised to check the information on the FCAI website.

The FCAI also confirmed that all new Australian-made cars are suitable for 10 per cent enthanol blended petrol (E10) and that the vast majority of imported new cars sold in Australia are also compatible with E10 or E5. The essential thing to note however is that if your car is a performance car, specially turbo or supercharged, than ethanol fuel may not be for you.

For more information and a full listing of the capability of various vehicle models to operate satisfactorily on ethanol blend petrol click here www.fcai.com.au/ethanol

Alborz Fallah