What should be done with old cars and motorcycles when using E10?

VTV.vn - Only 10% of very old vehicles are at risk with E10 gasoline. Proper upgrades and maintenance help ensure extremely safe vehicle operation.

The transition from conventional gasoline to E10 biofuel is a significant environmental step. While most modern vehicles operate smoothly with this fuel, compatibility issues remain for older models.

Vietnam currently has over 70 million motorbikes and approximately 6-7 million cars in circulation, of which about 10% are very old vehicles.

According to statistics from the Vietnam Register and the General Statistics Office, Vietnam currently has over 70 million motorcycles and approximately 6-7 million cars in circulation. Assessing this distribution, a transportation industry expert analyzed that, considering the total of approximately 76-77 million gasoline-powered vehicles, about 10% (equivalent to 7-8 million vehicles) are very old. This group includes vehicles using carburetors, with outdated or severely degraded fuel systems, and may face risks if using E10 gasoline for an extended period without proper maintenance. If we consider only motorcycles manufactured before 2008, there are 19.7 million in circulation – this group is particularly sensitive to ethanol due to the use of old rubber materials.

However, consumers shouldn't let rumors spread and cause panic. Mr. Dat Pham, a long-time expert at a ride-hailing company in Ho Chi Minh City , frankly shared: "I've been using E10 gasoline for my 2008 car for a long time. In reality, the rumor that 'E10 gasoline will corrode the fuel system' is very outdated information." He further explained that for over two decades, major global car manufacturers have standardized the production of fuel lines and rubber seals using high-strength composite materials (such as Viton and Teflon).

The real reason why classic and very old cars struggle with E10 fuel lies in the fuel's chemical nature. E10 gasoline contains up to 10% ethanol, a compound with high hygroscopic properties and strong solvent properties. When used on older materials (older generation rubber hoses, fuel pump diaphragms, steel fuel tanks, aluminum and zinc parts), ethanol can cause the material to swell, harden, crack, or dissolve long-standing deposits and rust, leading to blockages. To completely solve this problem, the "Retrofit" solution (fuel system upgrade) is widely applied in many countries. The retrofit process usually includes replacing all fuel lines with ethanol-resistant rubber/plastic, replacing with modern Viton gaskets, replacing fuel pump diaphragms, cleaning deposits, and applying an anti-corrosion coating to the inside of the fuel tank. For cars using carburetors, garages can replace the fuel float and readjust the carburetor. The cost for this service worldwide ranges from a few hundred USD to several thousand USD, depending on the condition of the vehicle.

Regular maintenance is key to ensuring safe vehicle operation.

Besides specialized solutions, regular maintenance is key. Providing advice to motorcycle users, Dr. Cao Dao Nam, Program Manager for Automotive Engineering ( Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport), recommends that owners check and replace parts such as fuel tank cap gaskets, injector O-rings, carburetor gaskets, fuel pump diaphragms, and vent pipes if they are worn out. These parts should be replaced with ethanol-resistant materials such as FKM/Viton.

Switching to E10 gasoline does not affect performance; users only need to fully comply with the maintenance and servicing regulations recommended by the manufacturer.

Motorcycle experts also specifically note that if a steel fuel tank shows red sediment, rust, or standing water, the owner must disassemble and clean the tank, replace the fuel filter, or replace the tank entirely if there is a leak. Automotive expert Nguyen Minh Dong emphasized that switching to E10 gasoline does not affect performance; users only need to fully comply with the maintenance and servicing regulations recommended by the manufacturer.

Finally, people's habits regarding vehicle use and maintenance also need to adapt flexibly. For vehicles used daily or every few days, users can fill the tank halfway to full and use it normally because gasoline has little chance of absorbing moisture. For vehicles used infrequently (only once every 2-4 weeks), the safest way is to only fill the tank with enough gasoline for that period, occasionally starting the engine and running it long enough to fully warm it up. In the case of vehicles stored for more than a month (especially very old vehicles or those using carburetors), users should completely drain the E10 gasoline from the tank, drain the carburetor, and run the engine until it completely shuts off. For new vehicles with electronic fuel injection that have been stored for 1-2 months, owners should fill the tank almost completely and use a fuel stabilizer clearly labeled as compatible with ethanol/E10 to protect the system. Therefore, if proper maintenance principles are followed, users of older vehicles can confidently embrace green energy.

Source: https://vtv.vn/o-to-xe-may-cu-can-lam-gi-khi-su-dung-e10-100260527222418787.htm