Provided by HerCar

1. Petrol

2.  Diesel

3. Biodiesel    

4. Autogas

5. Ethanol Blend

6. Hybrid

Petrol
All petrol-powered cars manufactured after 1986 must use unleaded fuel. There are 3 grades of unleaded - Unleaded, Premium Unleaded and High Octane (98). Both the premium and high octane are more suited to prestige and high performance vehicles. Check your service manual to find out what is the most appropriate for your vehicle.

Diesel
With the cost of petrol increasing, limited worldwide supplies, and the growing concern for our environment, car companies around the world are hastily developing and manufacturing a range of diesel fuelled cars. The diesel cars sold today are a lot "cleaner" than diesel cars previously available on the market due to great advances in technology.

What are the Benefits of Diesel versus Petrol Cars?

1. Cheaper to run as they use less fuel Better for the environment, as they use less fuel and emit fewer harmful emissions  

2. Saves you time as you don't need to stop for fuel as often

3. For a complete list of diesel cars available in Australia click here.

Can I use Petrol in a Diesel Car?

No. Petrol wrecks diesel engine lubrication processes and is particularly damaging to a diesel engine's high-pressure fuel pump. If you've realised that you've made this mistake, do not start your car or operate the automatic locks. Go to a safe area and call the car manufacturer or roadside assist for further advice.

Can I use Diesel in a Petrol Car?

No. And you probably won't be able to get the diesel pump in as the nozzle is larger than a petrol nozzle.

Biodiesel

While diesel has been used for a long time in Australia, biodiesel is relatively new. It is basically a cleaner-burning diesel fuel made from natural, renewable sources such as vegetable oils, hence the word "bio". However, not all vehicles are compatible with biodiesel and can affect the functioning of your car. To see whether your car is compatible go to www.fcai.com.au For more information on biodiesel go to http://www.biodiesel.org.au/

AutoGas

Autogas is widely used by taxis throughout Australia as it is cheaper than petrol or diesel. One reason for this is that it does not carry the excise tax that is imposed on diesel and petrol (about 38 cents per litre).-although a tax will gradually be imposed from 2011. It is also a cleaner burning fuel than petrol or diesel. Most unleaded petrol cars can be converted to Autogas, depending on whether the vehicle has sufficient space for the gas cylinder. This conversion can cost between $2,000 and $4,500. For more information on Autogas you can go to http://www.lpgautogas.com.au/

Ethanol Blend

Ethanol has been used to power engines for many years and has recently gained popularity due to the high cost of petrol and the increased awareness of the impact of cars on our environment. While Australia has been slow to accept it, over 30% of all petrol fuelled cars sold in America contain ethanol in their fuel. Ethanol is a clear liquid added to petroleum to lower the price of fuel, reduce the harmful emissions made by your car and to keep your engine healthy. The Australian government has set the standards of how much ethanol can be blended with petrol. E5 is 5% ethanol in petrol and E10 is 10% ethanol in petrol. According to a study conducted by Orbitel Pty Ltd for the Department of Environment and Water Resources in Feb 2007, most fuel injected cars can use this type of fuel. To see whether your car is suitable go to http://www.fcai.com.au/ . If your car is suitable, you can alternate between ethanol blended petrol and petrol without harming your car.

Hybrid

A hybrid uses both electricity and petrol to power it. The hybrid will take unleaded petrol. The grade of petrol will depend on the car. For example, the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid use unleaded petrol while the Lexus GS 450h uses premium unleaded. Please Note: the above information is to be used as a guide only. Your vehicle manufacturer will be able to provide you with the most accurate information about the types of fuel appropriate for your car.

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