Fuel giant warns on LRP fuel

12 years, 7 months ago - 9 September 2011
Fuel giant warns on LRP fuel
Johannesburg - A third of South African motorists are pumping the wrong grade of fuel into their cars and bakkies, especially when it comes to Lead Replacement Petrol (LRP).

Bottom line: Your car won't go any faster - and you could be writing of the (very) expensive catalytic converter on your exhaust.

Tebogo Mekoa, BP’s fuels services manager,  told Wheels24 that even though less than 2.5% of SA’s cars required LRP, 32% of owners still used the fuel "because of misconceptions about LRP".

 “Many people still believe LRP is cheaper than unleaded petrol and that it allows their cars to perform better," he added, "but that just isn’t true. It costs the same as unleaded petrol, so there is no cost saving with LRP."

Most engines Made in the early 1990's can use unleaded petrol without any modification. Taxis assembled after 1996 are also meant to use unleaded petrol. 

Incorrect use of LRP can damage exhaust catalytic converters; Toyota Hiace and Quantum taxis were designed to run on unleaded petrol, not LRP. 

The phasing out of LRP will be gradual, starting in areas where demand has already fallen.