A Driver's Guide to the Different Fuel Types

A Driver's Guide to the Different Fuel Types

In years gone by there were only two different fuel types – petrol and diesel. But now when you pull up at the pumps there’s a lot more choice. It’s important that you choose the correct fuel type for your car and we’re here to help you understand with our handy guide.

What are the different fuel types?

In the UK, there are six common fuels. These are:

Petrol - the most popular fuel type on UK roads. There are two types – leaded and unleaded. Unleaded petrol is a greener choice as it is mixed with bioethanol.

Diesel – the popularity of diesel has dropped over recent years but is still used by drivers across the UK. The two most common types include regular diesel (low sulphur) and premium diesel.

LPG – also known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas. This is a combination of butane and propane and is found at most UK petrol pumps. Although it is a cheaper alternative to petrol or diesel; your car will need to be converted especially to use this fuel type.

Biofuels – blends a mixture of unleaded petrol and standard diesel to offer a more environmentally friendly choice. However, this type of fuel is not commonly found in the UK.

Electric – becoming more and more popular on UK roads, electric cars require no fuel and rely on power from a rechargeable plug-in battery.

Hybrid – use a combination of petrol or diesel and electric power. There are three types – plug-in hybrid (PHEV), hybrid, and mild hybrid.

How to choose the best fuel type

If you have a petrol or diesel car, you do have a bit of scope when it comes to choosing the best fuel type.

Petrol offers a choice of leaded, unleaded, and super unleaded. If you are looking for the most cost-effective option, unleaded is typically the cheapest fuel type. However, some cars may run more efficiently with leaded petrol. While super unleaded carries a higher price tag, it has been known to help keep the engine clean.

You have two options when it comes to diesel – regular diesel and premium diesel. Again, premium diesel features chemicals to maintain a clean fuel system and prevent oil build-up.

Deciding which is best for you will come down to your budget and how much you are willing to spend on fuel.

What is the impact of fuel type on a car?

The type of fuel your car runs on can have an impact on its resale value. Used petrol cars are typically cheaper to buy than used diesel cars. Petrol cars are also considered more fuel efficient on shorter journeys.

Diesel cars have long been considered to achieve better MPG and fuel efficiency on longer journeys so can be a good investment.

What are the risks of using different fuel types?

If you don’t use the correct fuel type for your car, you can cause serious damage to your. This is because the engine won’t be able to process the fuel and may not run properly, or even worse cut out. It can also lead to costly repairs to the car’s fuel system which would not be covered by your warranty.

Explore different fuel type cars at Bristol Street Motors

Whether you prefer petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric cars, you’ll find plenty of choice at Bristol Street Motors. Our range includes new and used cars from the world’s top manufacturers that can be tailored to your budget with our flexible car finance options.

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