In 2006 leaded fuel will be phased out in SA. That's somewhat unfortunate timing as we have just spent thousands of dollars repairing our vehicle which runs on, you guessed it, leaded fuel!
Since the 1920's lead has been added to fuel to boost its octane rating - in effect it lowers the fuel's tendency to cause "pinging" or "knocking" that could damage your car's engine over time. But exhaust emissions from lead-based fuel are harmful to health and the environment so cleaner fuels became necessary. This led to the development of the catalytic converter and the introduction of unleaded petrol in SA in 1996. Unleaded petrol now accounts for 40 per cent of our total petrol sales. From 1 January 2006 lead will no longer be added to petrol and leaded petrol will be a thing of the past.
New fuels
From 1 January 2006 only two types of petrol will be available in SA: unleaded petrol (ULP) and lead replacement petrol (LRP).
Various octane levels will be available depending on where you live. ULP will be available in 91, 93 and 95 octane grades; LRP will
offer a 95 octane at the coast and 93 inland.
Caltex service stations will be able to provide you with the necessary information on which fuel is best for your car - and provide you with quality fuel no matter what car you dive. Even if you drive an older vehicle, Caltex has the ideal solution to your fuel needs.
Finding the perfect match
If you're unsure whether your car should use unleaded petrol check the vehicle's manual or ask your local dealership or motor
manufacturer. Or visit the National Association of Automotive Manufacturers' website (www.naamsa.co.za) or the South African
Petroleum Industry Association website (www.sapia.co.za) and find your car and details of its fuel needs in the database. Different
cars have different octane requirements. Using a higher octane grade than your vehicle needs is unnecessary because it won't improve
the engine's performance or efficiency.
But it will cost more - it takes more energy and severe refining to produce fuel with a higher octane. It will also lead to higher emission levels that will hurt the environment. On the other hand using petrol with too low an octane may decrease engine performance and fuel efficiency, causing the engine to knock. If you own an older car, your engine might need a minor adjustment to its timing to ensure optimum performance with the new fuel grade and avoid any engine damage.
Caltex service attendants or the retailer will be happy to provide information or look up your model in the vehicle compatibility database to check whether your car needs adjustment and tell you where you can have these changes done.
Alternatively the Retail Motor Industry (RTI) is encouraging its members to provide a free timing adjustment service for vehicles that require it. For more information on this free service call the RMI on 011-789-2542.
Unleaded users
All this talk about fuel types and octane levels may sound technical but choosing the correct fuel for your car is easy. If you
already use unleaded petrol you may find you can continue using it (depending on the octane level your car requires).
Using unleaded petrol has a long-term benefit in lower vehicle maintenance costs because it doesn't contain corrosive compounds that could affect spark plugs and exhaust systems.
You may also notice the tailpipe doesn't burn white as it did with leaded petrol. This is caused by lead-based deposits from burning fuel. Without lead in the fuel the exhaust burns grey or brown (it won't affect your car's performance).
Leaded users
In older engines lead acted as a lubricant between the exhaust valves and the soft metal valve seats in the cylinder head. With
the metal additives removed from petrol the soft metal valve seats may become worn, causing valve seat recession (VSR) that may
result in loss of compression and power.
If you're currently using leaded fuel the solution is probably to switch to a lead replacement fuel (LRP). But remember LRP must not be used in cars fitted with catalytic converters because it may adversely affect the catalyst.
Engines
As from February 2005 all new petrol-powered passenger and light commercial vehicle models introduced in SA had to comply with
maximum emission levels and should have been fitted with a catalytic converter. Currently more than 70 per cent of new cars have
them but from January 2008 all new or existing petrol-powered vehicles must be fitted with catalytic converters. Cars built before
these dates don't have to be retrofitted with them.
Price
It's business as usual. SA's regulated pump prices will be determined in the same way they are now. Lead replacement fuel will
cost the same as unleaded petrol of the same octane. But inland 95 octane unleaded petrol will have a special "initial demand
management levy" of 10c a litre. The reason for this pump price differential (between 93 and 95) is most inland cars are presently
satisfied by 93 octane fuel. To cater for vehicles with the latest technology 95 octane fuel will also be made available inland but
at a premium. The aim is to avoid octane wastage while providing 95 octane for those who really need it. At the coast cars generally
need a higher octane due to the lower altitude. As 95 octane unleaded is presently the only available unleaded grade there'll be no
extra levy.
Diesel users
Many diesel users will also be affected by the shift towards cleaner fuel in 2006. To help reduce vehicle emissions and improve
air quality in urban areas diesel's sulphur content will be reduced from 3000 ppm (parts per million) to 500 ppm. Lowering the
sulphur content will also enable many vehicles to extend their oil-drain intervals, reducing maintenance costs. Lower-sulphur diesel grades will cost slightly more than the higher grade they'll replace. The price will still be in line with international market prices.