Esso Fuel... Adding Ethanol

[BiggaJ]

Just been made aware of this, don't know if it's true or not, maybe someone on here knows.

It's apparently come from AMOC Forum and posted to our Area 1 WhatsApp group.

Esso have decided that they are out of step with the industry norm,and have decided to start adding ethanol to their super unleaded petrol.( From September 2023).
I suggest that members may like to contact Esso,to say they are missing a huge marketing bonanza,as the fuel not only of all classic and vintage cars,but also the fuel of choice for most Aston Martins!

[Octavarium]

Unfortunately, the Esso website confirms this ….

[AdamV12V]

oh well that will be the end of that then. They only reason I buy it is because of the 0% ethanol, if they take away their USP then it comes down to price and it has always been the most expensive around here. I will go back to V-Power or BP Ult, whichever is lowest price super with 5%.

[reddiesel]

Tesco Momentum here you come

[Ninja59]

It merely states parts of the UK, recent tests on it still show it to be one of the lowest ethanol contents on all E5 fuels at circa 2%.

As well, just because it says E5, it fundamentally is a maximum of 5%. Most are usually around 3%.

[Octavarium]

Ninja59 said:

It merely states parts of the UK, recent tests on it still show it to be one of the lowest ethanol contents on all E5 fuels at circa 2%.

As well, just because it says E5, it fundamentally is a maximum of 5%. Most are usually around 3%.

For now yes. But Ethanol will be in all their Supreme 99 pumps from September.

[Ninja59]

Octavarium said:

For now yes. But Ethanol will be in all their Supreme 99 pumps from September.

Even so, Esso remains the lowest overall ethanol composition has done for years in the one containing ethanol. It is unlikely to change they are just not having effectively two versions of the same product.

Shell, BP are all above Esso in terms ethanol.

https://youtu.be/oF2LfkUit4Y

[85Carrera]

AdamV12V said:

oh well that will be the end of that then. They only reason I buy it is because of the 0% ethanol, if they take away their USP then it comes down to price and it has always been the most expensive around here. I will go back to V-Power or BP Ult, whichever is lowest price super with 5%.

Agreed I have a Porsche Club fuel card because their E5 is ethanol free. If they’re going to start sticking that st in, no need to limit the petrol purchases for my classics to them or to retain the fuel card.

Idiotic move which will lose them a lot of business.

[Simpo Two]

BiggaJ said:

I suggest that members may like to contact Esso,to say they are missing a huge marketing bonanza,as the fuel not only of all classic and vintage cars,but also the fuel of choice for most Aston Martins!

Unfortunately 'saving the planet' trumps everything, even Aston Martins.

[AstonV]

10% here in CA for years. There are a few places that carry ethanol free fuel but always miles away and not feasible. Use Stabil fuel treatment and keep full tank if you store/don’t drive for any length of time.

[Jon39]

Whether this is authoritative, who knows.

[Simpo Two]

So a DB7 V12 is not suitable, but a DB9 is. Is the engine any different?

[skhannes]

Simpo Two said:

So a DB7 V12 is not suitable, but a DB9 is. Is the engine any different?

Hi,

The difference is in the EMS (engine management system). The newer model years (like many cars) added more tolerance in fuel trims. These are needed to consume even 10% or as much as 15% ethanol mixed with gasoline and it comes because of the difference in stiochiometry between gasoline at 14.7:1 and pure ethanol at 9.7:1.

With these differences in stioch, ethanol takes more fuel per volume of air to be totally consumable, which means that fuel trims have to allow a wider tolerance of rich/lean to consume ethanol. Later model year cars built that into the EMS data tables where earlier model years did not. So, not just an AM problem with older models.

The other sometimes unknown fact about ethanol, it is a "tuner's" dream fuel because it is, in 100% form, about 109 octane RON. For tuners building high HP/Torque modifications, ethanol presents itself as an accessible fuel alternative. However, because of the 9.7 stioch part, a modification has to be made to fuel pumps (and via a flex sensor) so that the ECM can determine proper fuel trimming when larger quantities of ethanol are present.

[LTP]

Simpo Two said:

So a DB7 V12 is not suitable, but a DB9 is. Is the engine any different?

It's not necessarily the engine, it could just be components in the fuel system. Ethanol absorbs more water, so can lead to corrosion of some parts, and it also degrades certain plastics and rubbers. This is why it's not recommended that you use 10% ethanol fuel in your lawn mower unless it's engineered for it.

The DB7 fuel system probably wasn't designed and specified with ethanol in mind, whereas the DB9 was probably engineered for it

[Simpo Two]

skhannes said:

Simpo Two said:

So a DB7 V12 is not suitable, but a DB9 is. Is the engine any different?

Hi,

The difference is in the EMS (engine management system). The newer model years (like many cars) added more tolerance in fuel trims. These are needed to consume even 10% or as much as 15% ethanol mixed with gasoline and it comes because of the difference in stiochiometry between gasoline at 14.7:1 and pure ethanol at 9.7:1.

With these differences in stioch, ethanol takes more fuel per volume of air to be totally consumable, which means that fuel trims have to allow a wider tolerance of rich/lean to consume ethanol. Later model year cars built that into the EMS data tables where earlier model years did not. So, not just an AM problem with older models.

The other sometimes unknown fact about ethanol, it is a "tuner's" dream fuel because it is, in 100% form, about 109 octane RON. For tuners building high HP/Torque modifications, ethanol presents itself as an accessible fuel alternative. However, because of the 9.7 stioch part, a modification has to be made to fuel pumps (and via a flex sensor) so that the ECM can determine proper fuel trimming when larger quantities of ethanol are present.

Thanks, good answer; we shall call you Rod Banks

Sooo... 10% ethanol can be problematic, but 100% is good. I must see if a bottle of Tesco gin makes Mr Martin go any faster, or just start weaving...

[F1NDW]

Simpo Two said:

BiggaJ said:

I suggest that members may like to contact Esso,to say they are missing a huge marketing bonanza,as the fuel not only of all classic and vintage cars,but also the fuel of choice for most Aston Martins!

Unfortunately 'saving the planet' trumps everything, even Aston Martins.

It's a pity it doesn't and its use is BS.

[BiggaJ]

Simpo Two said:

BiggaJ said:

I suggest that members may like to contact Esso,to say they are missing a huge marketing bonanza,as the fuel not only of all classic and vintage cars,but also the fuel of choice for most Aston Martins!

Unfortunately 'saving the planet' trumps everything, even Aston Martins.

It's the politicians the planet needs saving from rather than ICE.

[astonman]

Esso, feel that they are out of step with the Industry norm and are therefore set to start adding up to 5% Ethanol to Supreme 99+ Super unleaded petrol ,from September 2023.
At the moment Esso 99+ supplied from from their own terminals in the South East and Midlands of England are Ethanol free ( though marked as E5 ,for legal reasons).
I really do believe that Esso are making a huge marketing mistake.
At the moment,they are the go to fuel for all Classic, Vintage and most Aston- Martin cars.
Esso, Ethanol free fuel is specifically suggested by many independent Aston Martin specialists,even for new or nearly new cars!
It's also much better in older / vintage lawn mowers etc

https://www.exxonmobil.co.uk/company/overview/cont...

Can I humbly suggest the Pistonheaders contact Esso to suggest the error of their ways.
At the Moment,Esso Supreme 99+ super unleaded is the choice for most Aston Martin.

[cayman-black]

Does Shell V max contain Ethanol? thx.

[astonman]

Esso Supreme 99+ unleaded,is The Only Ethanol Free Petrol, available at the pump ( in The South East and Midlands of England ,only).
I can't believe Esso are loosing out on Marketing the Petrol that fuels Bonds Aston Martin.