My local garage does 4* petrol!

[SurreyGuy]

I drive an old (1998) car which was designed to run on 4*, but which I now run on un-leaded with Redex additive. I was surprised to find that my local garage has started doing 4*. This makes me wonder.............

a) is the 4* in the garage the same as the "old" 4*.

b) can I mix my fuels, i.e. can I fill up with unleaded one time and then 4* the next?

T.I.A.

[dannywells]

What car have you got, id be very suprised if a 1998 car was designed to run on 4 star, even most cars 10 years older ran on unleaded

[dannywells]

in addition 4 star fuel in the old sense is no longer available it was banned under EU legislation - so your garage cannot be selling 4 star - they could be selling LRP with is a replacement for 4 star with additives

[SurreyGuy]

dannywells - I mis-typed. My car is a 1988 one! :o)

The signs in my garage are red in colour and all they say is "4 Star"

[dannywells]

what car have you got? theres a good chance it can take unleaded let us know ill have a look for you.

There are allowances in the ban for a VERY small amount of true leaded fuel to be supplied - so there is a chance it is 4 star your garage is selling,however more likely LRP

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks dannywells. I drive a BMW 3 Series.

I thought the fuel may be LRP, but the signage definitely says 4*.

[SurreyGuy]

Sorry dannywells, but I may have mis-understood what you meant.

I currently run my car on unleaded, but I was told (can't rememebr by who) that I would need an additive too, hence why I use a Redex one.

Are you saying that I may not need this additive and that I can simply use the un-leaded on its own?

[dannywells]

what engine size?

[SurreyGuy]

2 litre

[dannywells]

then that will be the 3 series E30 model with the M20 engine
you dont need any additives for that
how many years have you been buying that stuff!?
the engine should be run on unleaded straight up

[SurreyGuy]

Oh! I would imagine I've been using additive for about 2 yrs.

I was told that the engine "needed" to be run using certain ingredients that the 4* contained. I was told that un-leaded fuel didn't contain some of those things and that I would have to use an additive to "fool" the engine!

Can I use the 4* at my garage?

[dannywells]

the 4* ingredient is lead!
your cars valves do not need the lead to lubricate them, hence leaded fuel is not needed

save then environment and stick to unleaded!
Lead is extremely toxic, and causes mental retardation in children. Lead oxide from car exhaust accumulates in soil near roads, and children can get it on their hands from playing outside. They then ingest it, and it causes its damage

[SurreyGuy]

Oh? I thought that the lead WAS necessary to lubricate my valves?

[dannywells]

not on your engine no
it depends what your valve seats are made out of, the m20 engine doesnt need leaded fuel

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks dannywells. Where did you get that info from?

IF..........................I did want to use the 4* (and at the moment I don't), would it "react" with the un-leaded fuel in my tank?