The service of 'advising' on E10 gasoline is booming.

Most newer vehicles have been certified by manufacturers as compatible with E10 gasoline. However, for owners of older motorcycles, cars, vehicles that are rarely used, or those that have had multiple previous owners, switching to this new fuel type still causes considerable caution.

From June 1st, E10 gasoline will be sold at all gas stations, completely replacing conventional gasoline - Photo: HUU HANH

On June 1st, according to observations by Tuoi Tre newspaper at used car and motorbike dealerships, many buyers began asking more detailed questions about the compatibility of their vehicles with E10 gasoline. Meanwhile, many garages and repair shops were overwhelmed as numerous vehicle owners sought technical advice before switching to this new fuel type.

Customers are preparing for E10 gasoline, and the repair shop is overloaded.

Posing as a customer inquiring about services related to E10 gasoline, a reporter contacted a repair shop located next to the Tan Hoa canal (formerly Tan Phu district). Mr. TH, the shop owner, said that last weekend was one of the shop's most unusually busy periods in months.

"Last Sunday was almost fully booked, with customers coming in to have their vehicles checked in preparation for switching to E10 gasoline," Mr. H. said, adding that most customers came because they were concerned about potential changes when switching to the new fuel. Many people proactively asked about solutions to help their vehicles run more smoothly before using E10 gasoline.

For vehicles using carburetors, customers are often advised to add certain fluids to the fuel tank. Meanwhile, owners of vehicles with electronic fuel injection (FI) are more interested in services such as injector cleaning, throttle body cleaning, intake manifold cleaning, or engine control system checks.

According to this shop's price list, the cost for these items ranges from 100,000 to 350,000 VND, not including the fuel tank additive which costs approximately 70,000 VND per bottle. If all the recommended services are performed, the total cost could reach around 420,000 VND per vehicle.

Not only motorcycle repair shops, but many car garages are also reporting a similar trend. A technician at a car garage on 22-12 Street (Ho Chi Minh City) said that the number of calls inquiring about fuel system cleaning has increased significantly in recent days.

"Customers are calling more often than usual. Many people want to have their fuel systems checked and cleaned to feel more secure when using E10 gasoline," the male employee said.

According to garage staff, many car owners have expressed concerns that switching to a new type of fuel could flush out long-standing deposits in the fuel system, affecting its performance. Therefore, many choose to have their vehicles inspected beforehand rather than waiting for problems to occur.

However, this person also argued that for vehicles operating normally, owners don't necessarily need to immediately undertake expensive maintenance. Regular inspections and maintenance remain a suitable solution for monitoring the vehicle's condition.

Regarding costs, a representative from the garage stated that the process of removing the fuel tank and performing basic cleaning alone could cost over 1 million VND. If the fuel tank needs to be flushed and the entire fuel system cleaned, the total cost could reach approximately 2 million VND.

Customers view used motorbikes at a shop in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: C.TRUNG

Old motorcycles are prone to fuel blockage and difficulty starting.

At a used motorcycle shop on Phan Dang Luu Street, Cau Kieu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, the number of customers browsing motorcycles remains quite steady. Notably, many people inquire about buying very old models such as the Honda Super Cub 70, some of which are over 20 years old since their production date, priced at around 13 million VND.

According to the shop owner, this model still has its own customer base, mainly older people who want to buy a compact car for getting around the city. However, many customers are concerned about whether such an old car will run smoothly with E10 gasoline, whether it will easily clog the fuel tank, be difficult to start, or develop malfunctions after a period of use.

"Customers are asking more questions than before, especially about older models that use carburetors. In reality, the bikes still run normally, but buyers still want clear guidance on which type of fuel is more suitable," said Mr. T, the owner of a used motorcycle shop.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam, who rides a 2012 Yamaha Sirius, said that lately he's been paying closer attention every time he refuels. The bike, which he's used for over 10 years, is still his daily commuter, but many parts have been replaced at small repair shops.

"The car is still running normally, but I heard that E10 gasoline contains alcohol, absorbs moisture, and that older cars with carburetors are prone to clogging, so I'm a little worried. It's not that I'm afraid it will break down immediately, but rather that problems might develop after a while," Mr. Tam said.

Sharing the same concern, Ms. Le Thu Huong, owner of a 2010 Honda Wave RSX, said that she mainly uses the bike to go to the market and take her children to school, only refueling a few times a month. Her biggest worry is whether the fuel will separate from the bike because it's rarely used.

"Maintaining minor repairs on an old car is a real hassle. Sometimes, even something as simple as a fuel blockage, difficulty starting, or engine hesitation requires taking it to a repair shop. If there were clear guidelines on which cars should use E10 gasoline and which should use E5 gasoline, it would be easier for owners of old cars to choose," Ms. Huong shared.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tran Quoc Viet, who uses a 2011 Yamaha Nouvo LX, said that his bike has had its fuel lines replaced, carburetor cleaned, air filter and drive belt replaced several times. Upon hearing that Yamaha models with carburetors manufactured before 2017 are recommended to use E5RON92 gasoline, he consulted his usual mechanic before deciding to switch to the new fuel.

"Older scooters are already fuel-guzzling, and sometimes they have trouble starting in the morning. I'm not technically savvy, so I just hope the manufacturer or gas station clearly states which types of scooters are suitable and which ones require more consideration. If they just say most scooters are usable, people who own older scooters still won't feel confident," said Viet.

Employees pump E10 gasoline into tanker trucks at warehouse A, Nha Be Petroleum Depot, Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: TTD

Be cautious when buying used cars.

Not only motorcycle owners, but some owners of used cars are also starting to check their owner's manuals or ask their dealerships before switching to E10 gasoline. Mr. Pham Hung, who uses a 2008 Toyota Vios, said that his car is still running smoothly, but he wants to know if his model is recommended by the manufacturer to use E10 gasoline.

"Repairing the fuel system of a car costs much more than repairing a motorbike, and since I drive an older model, I have to be careful," Hung said.

For Ms. Mai Anh, the owner of a 2011 Kia Morning bought secondhand from an acquaintance, the worrying thing is that the car has undergone many repairs, and some parts are no longer original. Since the car has changed hands so many times, she doesn't know when the fuel lines, fuel pump, and fuel filter were replaced. Now that she's switching to new gasoline, she just hopes to have a specific instruction manual for her car model.

At auto garages, questions about E10 gasoline are also starting to arise, especially with older cars or used imported vehicles. A technician at a garage in Hiep Binh ward, Ho Chi Minh City, said that people need to be aware of vehicles that have been used for more than 10-15 years, vehicles that are rarely driven, vehicles that have had their fuel pumps, fuel filters, or fuel lines replaced, or vehicles with no clear maintenance history.

According to this technician, newer cars typically have sealed fuel systems and better compatible materials. However, with older cars, the safety of switching fuels depends heavily on the specific condition of each vehicle.

If the fuel tank has sediment, the fuel filter hasn't been replaced in a long time, or the seals are worn out, switching to ethanol-based fuel may exacerbate these existing problems. However, Suzuki asserts that its Wagon, Carry, Vitara, APV, Swift, Ertiga, Ciaz, Celerio, XL7, Jimny, Fronx, and Eeco models are all compatible with E10 gasoline.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Vietnam advises customers to refer to their owner's manual to understand the appropriate fuel type for each vehicle. For vehicles that are used infrequently over long periods, the company notes that users should pay attention to storing the fuel in the tank to avoid water separation, a common issue when using bioethanol.

According to automotive experts, the group of vehicles that require the most attention are older cars, those that are too old, have been used for 10-20 years, have had multiple previous owners, have had parts replaced externally or no longer have owner's manuals, have received little maintenance, have been left unused for a long time, or lack clear maintenance records.

"With used cars, owners should consult the owner's manual, ask the dealership or a garage specializing in the car model, and also check the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel injectors, fuel filter, fuel lines, and seals if the car hasn't been serviced in a long time," he said.

Feeling more secure thanks to official information.

According to Tuoi Tre newspaper 's observations on the first day of widespread biofuel sales, sales proceeded normally, with no disruptions or interruptions reported.

On roads such as Le Van Sy, Truong Dinh, 3 Thang 2, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Cach Mang Thang 8..., gas stations have posted the price of E10 gasoline. Most gas stations in Ho Chi Minh City have also changed their fuel signs to offer E10 gasoline.

Speaking to Tuổi Trẻ newspaper , Ms. Lê Thị Linh Chi said that the debates about E10 gasoline on social media recently had made her quite concerned. However, after three days of using it directly, she has not noticed any significant difference.

"Actually, reading the debates about E10 gasoline is a bit confusing. But based on my personal experience, I haven't noticed any difference. Yesterday, I read the Ministry of Industry and Trade 's guide on E10 gasoline, so I feel more reassured because my car is compatible," she said.

Similarly, Ms. Thuy Trang, a resident of Saigon Ward, said she felt more reassured by the chatbot and the Ministry of Industry and Trade's guide on using E10 gasoline. According to her, this information helps people easily access knowledge about the new fuel, instead of just hearing rumors on social media.

As one of the early consumers to experience the new fuel, Mr. Thien Le said that his 2016 Toyota Camry is still running normally after switching to E10 gasoline.

"My car has been running normally these past few days since I started using E10 gasoline, but it seems to consume more fuel compared to regular gasoline," he shared.

We shouldn't blame every problem on E10 gasoline.

Associate Professor Dr. Do Van Dung, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Automobile and Power Equipment Association, believes that the fact that some vehicles operate normally while others experience problems when using E10 gasoline is mainly related to the condition of the fuel tanks at the gas station and the compatibility of each vehicle.

To minimize risks, Mr. Dung recommends that people prioritize refueling at large gas stations with a stable customer base, and avoid leaving vehicles idle for too long when the tank already contains E10 gasoline. For older vehicles, users should check and clean the fuel tank, replace the fuel filter, and inspect the fuel lines and rubber gaskets before regularly using E10 gasoline.

"In the long term, stricter regulations are needed for storage tank systems and quality control processes to ensure that fuel is distributed to consumers in accordance with standards," Mr. Dung said.

What checks should be done on used cars before using E10 gasoline?

According to automotive experts, not all older vehicles are incompatible with E10 gasoline. However, for motorcycles with carburetors, older cars, vehicles that are rarely used, or those that haven't been serviced in a long time, users should check the fuel system before switching.

With older motorcycles, pay attention to the fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel filter, rubber gaskets, and clean the carburetor if the bike shows signs of difficulty starting, hesitation, stalling, or unusually high fuel consumption.

For used cars, owners should consult the owner's manual, ask the dealership, or a garage specializing in the car model. Parts to pay attention to include the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel injectors, fuel lines, gaskets, and rubber seals.

The less a vehicle is used, the more caution is needed, as biofuel can absorb moisture if stored in the tank for too long. Technical experts recommend that older vehicles, those with many repairs or unknown maintenance histories, should be inspected before using E10 fuel long-term.

NHAT XUAN - CONG TRUNG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/soi-dong-dich-vu-tu-van-xang-e10-20260602085047129.htm