Can my car use E10 ethanol fuel?

13 March 2012

Can your car run on E5 or E10 ethanol blended petrol?

There is a lot of confusion about which cars can use ethanol.

The following table lists vehicle models the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries says are able to run on E5 or E10 ethanol blended petrol. Before using E5 or E10 in motor vehicles not listed below, or if you are unsure, consult your handbook or manufacturer to check if the fuel is suitable. Please note: this list was correct at the date of publication, but manufacturers may change data from time to time.

BRAND	MODEL	E5	E10
Alfa Romeo	All models post 1998
Alfa Romeo	All models pre 1998
Audi	Audi A3 1.8L (engine code 'APG' 2000 onwards) Audi A4 2.0L (engine code 'ALT' 2001 onwards)
Audi	All models post 1986 except the 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)
Dodge	All models post 1986
Fiat	Punto
Ford	Focus (2002-2004) F-Series (1986-1992) Ka (all models) Maverick (all models) Transit (1996-2004)
Ford	Mondeo (prior to 2007)
Ford	Capri (all) Courier 2.0L and 2.6L (all) Econovan (pre-2002) Festiva (all) Laser 1.3L, 1.5L and 1.6L (all) Raider (all) Telstar (all)
Ford	All models post 1986 except the above
GMDaewoo	All models
Holden	Astra SRi 2.2L (11/2006 onwards) Astra 2.2L Twin Top Convertible (11/2006 onwards)
Holden	Apollo (1/87-7/89) Nova (2/89-7/94) Barina (1985-1994) Drover (1985-1987) Scurry (1985-1986) Astra (1984-1989)
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 onward
Hyundai	All models post October 2003
Jaguar	All models post 1986
Jeep	All models post 1986
Kia	All models post 1996
Land Rover	All models post 1986
Lexus	IS200 pre May 2002
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)
Lotus	Esprit (V8 – 1998-2004) Exige (Toyota engine – 2004 onwards) Elise (Toyota engine – 2004 onwards)
Mazda	May 2005 build onwards Mazda3 Mazda6 RX-8 MX-5 July 2005 build onwards Tribute April 2006 onwards CX-7 CX-9
Mazda	All models except above
Mercedes-Benz	All models post 1986
MG	All models
MINI	All models
Mitsubishi	All fuel injected models post 1986
Nissan	All models post 2004
Peugeot	All models post July 1997 except above
Peugeot	306 (XU engine only)
Porsche	All models pre MY2007
Porsche	All models from MY2007
Proton	All models
Rover	All models
Renault	All models post 2001
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) Liberty B4 (2002 to 2003) Liberty GT (2004 - 2006) Impreza WRX STI (1999 to 2005)
Subaru	All models post MY1990 except above provided the model-specific minimum octane rating is maintained.
Suzuki	Alto Mighty Boy Wagon R+ Swift/Cino Sierra Stockman Vitara X-90 Jimny (SOHC) Super Carry Suzuki Baleno and Baleno GTX
Suzuki	All models except above (providing RON requirements are met)
Toyota	Camry with carburettor engines pre July 1989 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
Toyota	All models except above
Volkswagen	All fuel injected models post 1986
Volvo	All models post 1986

Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries - March 2012

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 16 comments

I used e10 in my styhl 1986 ? brush cutter and all of the seals were damaged ( leaking ) . it was cheaper to buy a new one than get it fixed. the hand book on the new one advised exactly what would happen if e 10 was used.
norman johnson of stockton Posted on 27 April 2013 8:13am
What about 1997 ford falcon? Can that run on E10?
Caleb Posted on 10 April 2013 7:11pm
i have a suzuki alto and the handbook says i can use E10 your site says i cant
brett d of perth Posted on 27 March 2013 8:09pm
I have a Nissan sunny 1986 and its a 1500 CC engine on petrol the cost is to much wanted to ask if this bioethonal can help me save money and be easly available
Khan of Karachi, Pakistan Posted on 14 December 2012 6:26am
If you really want to save fuel (and environment of course), take off the red arrows lights on all intersections. If drivers can’t safely turn left or right without the green arrow, they shouldn’t be on the road in first place.
Piotr of Sydney Posted on 03 October 2012 6:59pm
Using E10 in my 2000 Jimny with the G13BB SOHC engine for at least 8 years and it works very well. No probs, over 600,000 k’s so far.
Jimny Fastback of Frankston 3199 Posted on 31 August 2012 6:47pm
Holden and Kia service departments I asked both advise against E10.
Johnny of Sydney Posted on 21 August 2012 3:30pm
How could there be comments on this dated back in 2010 when the source of information is dated March 2012?
Its also listed on Holden “All models post 1986 except above” but does not include the VN Commodore made in 1989, which suffered major problems due to E10 use. Fatstig, the Supercars were only changed to E85 to stop the hippies boycotting the sport due to environmental reasons.
If our governments really want to save the environment, stop burning $8million+ worth of explosives every year on fireworks.
If Global Warming wasn’t such a scam, it wouldn’t be so damn cold.
God of The Universe Posted on 17 August 2012 8:27pm
Have been using E10 from United Fuel in several vechiles without any problems. However filled up our Ford Territory last week in Melbourne and the Emissions warning light came on soon after. This week filled up our Holden Astra and the same thing happened. It appears too much of a coincedence !! Anyone had the same issue ??

Jeff James of Melbourne Australia Posted on 17 August 2012 4:18pm
amazing the confusion over Ethanol. In the old days (pre 1980) mechanics would put a small amount of metho in petrol to get rid of blue smoke (metho is roughly 95% ethanol & 1% methanol plus something aweful so you dont drink it) and the engine ran sweet without the pollution of burning oil.

The real problem has more to do with parts that corrode for a mix up to 10%, todays computerized systems adjusts for fuel mixture etc and the motor runs cooler especially ideal for our hot summers. So why does the Oil companies condemn the use of 10% ethanol in all petrol to help burn it better and end up with far less pollution. Simple if an ethanol industry is established it would be competition. So how dumb are we in Australia, we throw away the ingredients to make ethanol, we could set up plants throughout the country in wheat growing areas, this would provide stable regional employment and additional income to these areas and blend all fuel with min 10%. Oh by the way, in Brazil 30 years ago, a simple device could blend any ratio of Ethanol and Petrol for $30. That was their answer to the M East oil crisis in the 1970’s 30 years later Australia we are debating if Ethanol is bad for cars?
albert callegher of Melbourne Posted on 09 June 2012 6:54pm
Outback Jack is wrong. V8 Supercars run E85. 85% ethanol. More pitstops but more power! Andrew Willis is also wrong. Egen95 is not premium fuel. It is just Matilda’s name for standard E10. ie normal ULP with 10% ethanol added. Ethanol increases the RON number of the fuel from 91 to 95. Do your research before making misleading comments.
Fatstig of Rothwell Qld Posted on 26 March 2012 9:55am
Yeah I’d rather listen to my mechanic who has enough cars coming in with E10 related issues rather than a caltex Ceo.
Sean of Central Coast Posted on 21 March 2012 1:20pm
If you can find it EGen95 (premium E10) is the answer to the economy issue. It’s available from Newmans and Matilda Blue (and other independants) and is still 2cents a litre cheaper than non E10 regular 91. Being premium also stops any knocking. Most ethanol made in Australia is from waste cane (after being processed for sugar) so you’re doing the farmer and the environment a favour as we need less crude oil, which is running out. As for the corrosion, use injector cleaner every 5000km,it fixes that. Don’t use ethanol in cars that aren’t recommended as it eats some metals, rubbers and plastics. My Suzuki 1.3 had 173000km when sold (engine still perfect) and was run on EGen95 all it’s life. The 2lt Suzuki I now have has done 48000km, only EGen95, and is still perfect. I get the same or better economy than reg91(non E10) and even have slightly more go.
Andrew Willis of Brisbane Posted on 30 September 2011 8:36am
Folks, E10 has 10-15% less energy per litre than regular unleaded. This means more fuel needs to be burned to travel the same distance. V8 Supercars started running E10 recently which resulted in 25% more fuel pit stops.
E10 only becomes economically viable when it has a 10-15% price advantage over 91RON.
One thing to remember - E10 contains ethanol, a water-based alcohol. Car companies have only recently started using corrosion resistant fuel lines. I have seen many disappointed owners of late model cars charged $500-$1000 to have rusted fuel lines replaced.
All of a sudden that 4c/litre saving looks less attractive….
Outback Jack of Woop Woop Posted on 25 March 2011 7:36am
Many cars can use E10, but performance will suffer, fuel economy will suffer , engine knocking problem, amongst others. On the other side, sugar/food price would go up because cane farmers got better price selling sugar cane to ethanol manufacturer
Edison Ng of Brisbane Posted on 17 November 2010 4:30pm
I have a 1984 Toyota Hilux pushing 450,00kms. I have been putting an E mix in cause it’s cheaper.. is that wrong?
bloike Posted on 17 November 2010 3:54pm

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