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• MISFUELLING A CAR: What should you do if you accidentally put the wrong fuel in your car?  (FAQs)
  This can lead to a lack of lubrication for the engine – much like actually running out of oil. 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.
• DIESEL v PETROL: Which is better for me?   (FAQs)
  Europe has more diesel then the UK because it can store more, which is why diesel is dearer in the UK than in Europe. UK fuel tax on petrol and diesel is the same at 50.35p per litre + VAT, + VAT on the fuel itself. 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 
• FUEL ECONOMY: What MPG should I be getting from my car? (FAQs)
  Then do at least 250 - 300 miles, fill up again to the brim and note the mileage on the receipt. Subtract mileage 1 from mileage 2. Then multiply the litres of fuel on the 2nd receipt by 0.22 and divide the answer into your mileage. Continue brim-fill after brim-fill. Though this depends on odometer accuracy, it will give you a better idea than the car's fuel computer which is a notoriously inaccurate accessory on any car.
• FUEL: What are the benefits of running a vehicle on Superunleaded or Superdiesel? (FAQs)
  So manufacturers 'optimise' their engines to give the best possible performance in the tests and, to achieve this, they optimise the engines to run on Super. Engines will still run on lower Octane and lower Cetane fuel, but not as efficiently, not as cleanly and will be more prone to damage from deposits such as olefins and carbon left inside the engines. If vehicles are driven to take best advantage of Super, which means changing up earlier (at low throttle openings a properly programmed automatic will do this for you), then the improvement in fuel economy is usually between 4% - 6%.  Where Super is sold at up to 8p more than ordinary 'Premium' fuels, the improvement in economy usually covers the increased cost.
• LPG: Where can I get my car converted to run on LPG? (FAQs)
  Although UK fuel has a higher energy coefficient, it burns hotter and places the engine under correspondingly greater stresses. Worse, because it is not filtered as effectively as continental fuel, there have been numerous instances of component failure arising from unfiltered inpurities.
• DPFs: What are they and why do they go wrong? (FAQs)
    .Second post-injection injects fuel late in the power stroke cycle; fuel partly combusts in the cylinder but also sweeps down the exhaust where unburned fuel triggers an exothermal event in the catalyst, raising the filters temperature further.
• STORING A CAR: How should I prepare my car for long term storage? (FAQs)
  (With a mild steel tank condensation can bring a rust problem.) The disadvantage is the weight of the fuel on the springs and on the tyres. If leaving for years, then fuel with high moisture bio content may partially emulsify, so empty the tank and insert some dessicant strips via the sender pump access panel to absorb the condenstation.
• 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.
• RUNNING IN A DIESEL: What's the best way to run-in a diesel engine? (FAQs)
  On passive cycle the DPF will require the car to regularly be driven significant distances at 2,000rpm plus for the DPF to get hot enough to regenerate and burn off the particulates in it. DPFs also have an 'active' cycle where additinal fuel is injected into the combustion chambers to creater hotter than normal exhaust gases to burn off particulates in the DPF. However, this does not always work and the extra fuel can instead find its way into the engine sump, contaminating the lube oil and sometimes leading to such a rise in sump oil level that the engine can start to run uncontrollably on its sump oil and will self-destruct.
• 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.
• AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS: What are the different types?  (FAQs)
  But they are getting better. The EGS in the new Citroen C4 and C4 Picasso is quite good. Can also bring benefits in fuel economy and C02 output,. The Citroen C4 1.6 HDI 110 EGS emits less than 120g/km CO2.  
• ADBLUE: What is AdBlue and What do I need to know about it? (FAQs)
  It is contained in a separate tank with a separate external filler (Mercedes, Jaguar, Peugeot) or must be replenished by a dealer (some earlier AdBlue systems). It is on sale at fuel stations in 10 litre containers at around £16. Enough to last 6,000 miles costs between £16 and £32, depending on the size of the engine. 4.7 litre containers and 2 litre containers are also available and come with spouts for easier refilling.
• AIR-CONDITIONING: How do I know if my air conditioning needs servicing? (FAQs)
  Airconditioning Compressor Remanufacturing Service , saving customers ££££££ Hundreds on the Vehicle Mfg Retail Prices: • Compressortech (Birmingham) Tel 0121-766-5006 E-mail sales@compressoretech.co.uk Website www.compressortech.co.uk Airconditioning Parts Supplier • www.autoairparts.co.uk Air-Conditioning and Fuel Economy A lot of nonsensical generalisations have been written about this. Basically a/c takes 5 - 10bhp from the engine. So while it will affect the fuel economy of a car with 50bhp, the driver of a car with 500bhp won't notice it.
• NITROGEN IN CAR TYRES: What's the point of filling car tyres with Nitrogen? (FAQs)
  It is true to say that regular tyre maintenance negates the need for Nitrogen inflation but unfortunately, a huge majority of motorists don’t do this resulting in under inflation. Under inflated tyres create drag which increases tread wear, fuel costs and the risk of punctures as well as having a significant effect on a car’s performance both in handling and cost. By having your tyres inflated with nitrogen this produces a stable inflation mixture, as can be seen in the diagram attached, that has improved pressure retention properties that will ensure tyres remain fully inflated for longer.
• AUCTIONS: Is buying a car from an auction straightforward? (FAQs)
  Users visiting  www.british-car-auctions.co.uk  can search by location or nationwide via Auction View to look for a particular make, model or body type and even through to fuel, transmission, age and mileage. The search will provide a shopping list of vehicles and potential buyers can browse each vehicle to see exactly what's on offer. www.british-car-auctions.co.uk  also features a jargon buster to help new visitors to auction car buying understand trade terminology, as well as know what to look for when they come to a sale.
• ELECTRIC CARS: Is an EV right for me? (FAQs)
  Offers 0-60 in 10 seconds, 80mph top speed, better handling than petrol i-car because batteries are mounted in the floorpan and fuel costs of just £50 for 10,000 miles of electricity. Can be recharged by a domestic plug 80% in 20 minutes or a full charge in 7 hours. Hoping to get price down to £15,000. Buyers immediately save £1,000 + in fuel costs over the first year, and £8 - £25 a day in London congestion tax.
• VEHICLE EXCISE DUTY: How much is the tax on my car? (FAQs)
  "1.206 The Government will consider whether to reform VED over the medium term, to ensure that all motorists continue to make a fair contribution to the sustainability of the public finances, and to reflect continuing improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency. In addition, the Government aims to develop a direct debit system to allow motorists to spread their VED payments. The Government will seek the views of motoring groups on these measures.
• WINTER TYRES: Should I use different tyres for the winter? (FAQs)
  Store your tyres away from light, ideally in a cool, dry area and above all, do not store them near solvents (fuel, oils, etc.). When should you use chains? Mandatory in some ski resorts, chains can be useful in very thick snow. Make sure you buy a type that is suitable for the bodywork of your vehicle and the size of your tyres.
• GARAGE SERVICING: How can I find a reputable garage  to service or repair my car? (FAQs)
  This will usually isolate the true cause of the problem, but instead of fixing that replace one of the other components in the electronics or the fuel injection system. The customer will then come back and, after pleading 'trial and error', you will probably get the chance to rip him off for replacing something else which may or may not solve the problem.
• HIRING A CAR: Where can I hire a car in the UK and abroad? (FAQs)
  It is perfect for the urban dwellers who only need a car part-time, those looking for a more flexible alternative to public transport as well as the many households who have either given up a household car or downsized the family vehicle and are hiring larger vehicles for holidays and specific occasions.  Customers are guaranteed vehicles on average just 6 months old and can select a car group by its average CO2 emissions. In, fact Europcar's fuel-efficient and low emissions cars use 33% less petrol than the average car on the road.  For those looking for fixed rates throughout the year on all types of cars and vans – from compact cars to the ultimate prestige vehicles, Europcar Club ‘Premium’ is £60 a month.