Beware of unleaded petrol warns SMMT
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• Last week's disclosure by Environment Minister William Waldegrave, that the Government could take measures to ensure adequate supplies of lead-free petrol has been followed by a Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders warning that light vehicle operators should be aware of the dangers of using unleaded fuel in vehicles not designed to run on it.
SMMT director Anthony Fraser Says operators should not fill up with this newly available fuel "unless you are sure it is all right to do so. Unleaded petrol in the wrong engine can easily cause major damage."
The SMMT says that new vehicle owners should check with their dealers before using any unleaded fuel.
According to Fraser even engines designed to run on unleaded fuel "will probably need certain adjustments if they have previously been running on leaded petrol".
Fraser says there has been misleading reports concerning lead free fuel.
The SMMT says that running a vehicle not designed for unleaded petrol on leadfree fuel can cause serious valve seat recession and damage to the pistons, requiring a complete engine rebuild.
So far few filling stations offer unleaded petrol, although the Government is keen to increase the nUmber of retail outlets selling it. Speaking last week, Waldegrave said that the DoE wants at least "a minimal" network of petrol stations offering unleaded petrol by October 1987, building up to wide availability of the fuel by October 1989, when EEC directives requiring it to be generally available come into effect.
Waldegrave hopes this can be achieved voluntarily. "But the Government does not rule out taking measures to require the provision of unleaded petrol for garages above a certain size."