And we're not talking about your wallet; no, it's really about your car. You see Euro 98 (E5) or Euro 95 (E10) available at the gas station. But why would you choose the more expensive Euro 98 if your car runs perfectly fine on Euro 95? Our friends at Top Gear investigated.

First of all, it's important that your car accepts both fuel types. Some cars' fuel systems contain rubbers and plastics that can't handle ethanol, which isn't found in Euro 95 (or only in small quantities). Do you have this? Then you should just fill up with Euro 98. These are often older cars, by the way.

Be careful if you don't drive much

The RAI Association explains: "Bioethanol is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from its surroundings, such as humid air." And excessive water content in the fuel can cause the alcohol to precipitate with the water and settle at the bottom of the tank. This mixture is corrosive to metals, which is undesirable.
So if you fill up with Euro95 (E10) but don't drive much, this can be bad for the tank and/or fuel system of your car.

Be careful if you often drive short distances

Combustion of every liter of fuel produces roughly the same amount of water vapor. Most of this simply escapes through the exhaust, but some also enters the oil via the piston rings. Normally, this isn't a problem, as the oil heats up and the moisture escapes through the ventilation system. However, if your engine doesn't reach full operating temperature, the moisture can create a nasty sludge. And indeed, you don't want that.

Euro 95 or Euro 98?

Ethanol has a lower energy density than gasoline. This means you won't be able to drive as far with a full tank of E10 as with a full tank of E5. However, E10 is cheaper. You should really test a tank of both and calculate how much you pay per liter for each fuel. If Euro 98 is the same price per kilometer, it's the best choice.

Black box for your car

You can easily gain insight into your car's consumption using a black box in your carThe system records not only your location but also your trips, mileage, and fuel consumption. This allows you to connect the black box to your fuel card, making it even easier to decide which fuel is best for you.

Source: TopGear.nl