MG Motor To Customers: Use E10 Petrol In Cars Built Before 2025 To Avoid Engine Damage

Ethanol-mixed petrol and its negative effects on cars is something that we have been reading a lot about in the last couple of weeks. Manufacturers and even insurance companies have now come forward with circulars and notices that say the warranty of the vehicle and the insurance claim will be declined if the vehicle is not using the right type of fuel. Amid this chaos, MG has now come forward asking their customers to use E10 fuel in their cars if they were manufactured before 2025.

The image was shared on Reddit by one of the users. He was using an MG Hector SUV and was already complaining about the fuel efficiency. He mentioned in the post that he was getting single-digit figures as fuel efficiency but, lately, the figure has dropped even more, and he is getting around 3 kmpl in the city.

This is what probably prompted him to ask about the fuel to MG. The response he got from the brand has now gone viral on the internet. The reply says:

“We want to clarify that, in line with government guidelines, all MG cars manufactured from April 1, 2025, are 100% compliant with E20 fuel.

For vehicles produced before this date, we recommend using E10 fuel for optimal performance. While using E20 fuel in older models carries a low probability of impacting engine performance, we suggest the following for your convenience: Prefer E10 fuel; make it a point to refuel at the nearest E10 fuel pumps whenever possible. If E10 is not available in your area and you are using E20 fuel for your cars, we recommend starting and driving your vehicle more frequently to help maintain optimal performance.

We are committed to supporting you through this transition and are here to assist if you encounter any issues.”

So, the reply clearly states that the petrol engines on the older MG models are actually not fully E20 compatible and it might cause issues. The chances are low but not zero. E20 is highly corrosive and not suitable for older cars.

They are not compatible with this new mixture, and it can lead to corrosion of fuel lines and other rubber and plastic components. It can affect engine performance and also reduce the lifespan of the car’s engine. Older engines that are not designed for E20 might run leaner (with a higher air-fuel ratio), which can cause higher combustion temperatures and potentially lead to engine damage.

So if you own an MG petrol car (Hector or Astor) that was manufactured before April 1, 2025, you should be careful and start your vehicle at regular intervals. The Petrol Pump Dealers Association in Telangana has also put out a circular where it stated that they are not responsible if water is found in fuel after it is filled in the fuel tank of a vehicle.

The customers can check for the quality of the fuel from the dispenser but, they won’t take responsibility once it is filled in the vehicle. The reason for that is again ethanol. The ethanol in petrol is actually hygroscopic. What does that mean? It means that ethanol, a component of E20, readily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere.

This hygroscopic nature of ethanol can lead to various issues, particularly in older vehicles not designed to handle high ethanol blends. Once it absorbs moisture, it separates itself from petrol, settles at the bottom of the tank, and causes starting issues and jerks while driving or riding.