Fuel options for classic air-cooled engines.

Our default recommendation for any air-cooled engine. Lower ethanol content is far kinder to seals, fuel lines, carburettor floats and fuel pumps, and the higher octane suits raised-compression builds.

Contains up to 10% ethanol. Ethanol is hygroscopic (it attracts water), can degrade older rubber fuel hoses and carburettor components, and doesn’t store well. If you must use E10, don’t leave it sitting in the tank for months.

Available from specialist suppliers (Sunoco, Anglo American Oil, etc). Excellent for long storage periods and high-compression / race engines. More expensive, but the safest choice for a rare or freshly rebuilt engine.

Additives & storage

• Use a fuel stabiliser (e.g. Sta-Bil) if the vehicle will sit for more than a few weeks.
• Replace old rubber fuel hoses with modern ethanol-resistant lines if you’re running any pump fuel.
• Check carburettor floats — older brass and some plastic floats can be attacked by ethanol.
• Drain the carbs if storing over winter with E10 in the tank.