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• DIESEL v PETROL: Which is better for me?   (FAQs)
  Fuel Duty on Petrol and Diesel = 50.35p/litre Fuel Duty on Biodiesel = 30.35p + 2p = £32.35p Fuel Duty on Bioethanol = 30.35p + 2p = £32.35p Fuel Duty on LPG = 16.49p/kg + 4.28p/kg = 20.77p/kg Fuel Duty on CNG = 13.7p/kg + 2.89p/kg = 16.59p/kg Fuel Duty on Red Diesel = 9.69p + 0.38p = 10.07p Fuel Duty on Fuel Oil for heating = 9.29p + 0.37p = 9.66p 
• MISFUELLING A CAR: What should you do if you accidentally put the wrong fuel in your car?  (FAQs)
  Diesel Cars: Petrol is corrosive in a diesel fuel system, attacking the rubber hoses and seals and the plastic fuel tank itself. It strips the lubricating effect of diesel fuel, and this can cause damage to the low pressure fuel pump, the high pressure fuel pump and the injectors.
• Fuel Calculator (Article)
  Petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid - which is right for you? Our petrol or diesel calculator shows which fuel will suit you best - and factors in potential savings on hybrids and electric cars to boot.
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  Classic owners face introduction of higher ethanol fuel by end of 2019 (Article)
  Petrol stations will have to display new labels to show motorists how much biofuel and ethanol is in their petrol and diesel as fears mount the Government is paving the way to introduce E10 fuel – a blend that is potentially dangerous for classic cars. From September, forecourt pumps will have to display signs for standard unleaded as E5 (5% ethanol) and diesel as B7 (7% biodiesel).
• RUNNING IN A DIESEL: What's the best way to run-in a diesel engine? (FAQs)
  Peugeot/Citroen/Ford diesel engines don't need to get quite as hot as diesels in other makes because they use an additive to help regenerate the DPF. This used to be added to a tank under the back seat, but is now contained in a bladder that needs to be repalce around every 100,000 miles.
• DPFs: What are they and why do they go wrong? (FAQs)
  The alternative 'active' cycle is an additional injector that injects either diesel fuel or an additive directly into a burner in the particulate filter. Peugeot/Citroen/Ford diesel engines don't need to get quite as hot as diesels in other makes because they use an additive to help regenerate the DPF.
• FUEL: What are the benefits of running a vehicle on Superunleaded or Superdiesel? (FAQs)
  In testing, Ford found the increase in power at 6,000rpm to be as much as 10%. The 'better burn' itself helps to keep the fuel system and valves of an engine clean: Branded Super also contains a package of additives including detergents and lubricants to keep the fuel system of an engine additionally clean. Similarly, Superdiesel has higher a Cetane rating than ordinary diesel, providing better performance and a cleaner burn at low revs, while branded Superdiesel contains a package of detergents and lubricity enhancers to extend the life of the injection pump, as well as keep the injectors and valves clean.
• LPG: Where can I get my car converted to run on LPG? (FAQs)
  'Our' 2013 Ford Focus 1.6 Ecoboost 182 running on LPG averaged 37.7mpg (on an accurate odometer) compared to the Real MPG average of 41.5mpg. The cost was 65.9p a litre compared with 121.9p a litre for petrol and 126.9p a litre for diesel over the weeekend of the test. But it also consumed enough petrol to put the overall fuel cost for 500 miles up to £58.96, which is higher than many competitive diesel cars. Now with more than 1,400 Autogas Limited refuelling stations across the UK, LPG drivers are never far from the cheaper fuel from the UK's number one supplier and now it's easier than ever to find the most convenient outlet.
• COMPANY CAR TAX (BIK): How does BIK company car tax work? (FAQs)
  In addition, from 2011/12 the Chancellor is axing the company car tax discounts that currently apply to alternatively-fuelled vehicles (electric-petrol hybrids, ‘Flex-Fuel Vehicles’, bi-fuels, road fuel gas and bioethanol). The only ‘discount’ that will remain from 2011-12 is that for electric cars, which will qualify for 9% benefit-in-kind tax. And, from 2012/13 the Chancellor has pledged that there will be a shake-up in company car tax.
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  Motorhome and camper van tax rates (Article)
  Rates for second payment onwards (if motorhome list price is under £40,000 and bought new) Fuel type 12 months 6 months Petrol and diesel £150 £79.75 Electric £0 £0 Alternative fuel £140 £74.25 Rates for second to sixth annual payment (inclusive) for motorhomes over £40,000 when bought new  Fuel type 12 months 6 months Petrol and diesel £475 £255.75 Electric £0 £0 Alternative fuel £465 £250.25 You only have to pay this rate for five years (from the second time the vehicle is taxed).
• ENGINE ECU: Where can I have the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of my car re-mapped? (FAQs)
  Electronic engine management systems in new cars are compromise programmed to provide reasonable performance and emissions and in a wide variety of weather conditions on a wide variety of fuels. They are also programmed to give best fuel ecomomy in the specific EU fuel consumption comparision tests performed in laboratory conditions. That means the manufacturer programme may not be ideal for the conditions in which you will be driving the car and leaves plenty of scope for improvement.
• ADBLUE: What is AdBlue and What do I need to know about it? (FAQs)
  Lower power versions of VAG's 2.0TDI manifold in head engines also complied. But since September 2019 all diesels apart from mazda's new 1.8 Skyactiv diesel have needed AdBle to meet WLTP NOx emissions regulations.
• AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS: What are the different types?  (FAQs)
  Because the next ratio is always on the opposite shaft, it can be 'pre-selected' and changed to rapidly and efficiently, usually at no sacrifice in fuel economy. They work either fully automatically or with driver control by nudge shift or paddle. Audi has re-named DSG 'S-Tronic'. VAG now offers a twin dry clutch DSG/S-Tronic with its smaller engines and a new twin wet clutch 7-speed DSG/S-Tronic for diesel engines with up to 500Nm torque.
• VEHICLE EXCISE DUTY: How much is the tax on my car? (FAQs)
  From the April 2002 Budget, VED for cars emitting less than 120g/km CO2 was reduced by a further £30 to £60pa for alternative fuel cars, £70pa for petrol cars and £80 for diesel cars. As from April 2003 the above VED rates were INCREASED by £5 each band. From March 2006 - March 2007 VED Rates were as follows:- First registered before March 2001 and below 1,549cc £110 First registered before March 2001 and above 1,549cc £175 First registered March 2001 onwards:- Band A 100 g/km CO2 and below Petrol £0 Diesel £0 Band B 101 - 120 g/km CO2 Petrol £40 Diesel £50 Band C 121 - 150 g/km CO2 Petrol £100 Diesel £110 Band D 151 - 165 g/km CO2 Petrol £125 Diesel £135 Band E 166 - 185 g/km CO2 Petrol £150 Diesel £160 Band F 186 - 225 g/km CO2 Petrol £190 Diesel £195 Band G 226 g/km CO2 and above Petrol £210* Diesel £215* * These rates apply only to vehicles first registered on or after 23-3-2006, otherwise the top rates are Petrol £190 and Diesel £195.
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  How to buy a new van (Article)
  Always be firm but polite with the salesperson because their objective will be to sell for the list price and earn a healthy commission.  Petrol, diesel or electric - which is the best fuel type for your next van? There was a time when buying a new van was simple and diesel. However, the trusty old diesel van has experienced something of a public relations nightmare in recent years, with much of the world’s air quality problems being levelled squarely at the doors of van drivers.
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  Best new vans for 2018 (Article)
  The exterior will get the same front end styling treatment as the latest Transit Custom, along with a similarly revised interior that includes design themes from the latest Fiesta. The old 1.5 TDCI diesel will get an overhaul to improve fuel economy and emissions, while the 1.0 EcoBoost will get the added bonus of cylinder deactivation tech to save fuel when the loads are low.  Transit Courier On sale: Spring 2018 Another Ford.
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  Honest John Awards 2018: The Winners (Article)
  Over the past 12 months the Hyundai i10 has consistently received five star feedback, winning praise for comfort, reliability and fuel economy from drivers who live with it every single day.  Real MPG Car of the Year - Toyota GT86 Few cars match the Toyota GT86 when it comes to real world fuel economy.
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  Used Van Buying Guide: Toyota Hilux 2004-2015 16 Jun 2025 (News)
  Listen out for any tappet-like sounds under the bonnet, if so it points to problems with the injectors. Other hints that the fuel injection system is playing up is limited performance and smoke when starting up. Ask what fuel the owner has put in it, cheaper, poor quality fuel not doing the common rail injection system any good.
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  Cheap van hire (Article)
  7. Understand the fuel policy Another thing to watch out for is the fuel policy. The best scenario is full-to-full, where the van is handed over with a full tank and you refill the vehicle before returning it.
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  Honest John Awards 2019: The Winners (Article)
  Batteries located under the floor means the Kona is surprisingly practical, with lots of interior space, and it's really good to drive - better than its petrol or diesel equivalent, in fact. Small Crossover of the Year - Suzuki Vitara We often recommend the Suzuki Vitara at HonestJohn.co.uk, and for good reason.