Petrol
For "Leaded" and "Unleaded" petrol you always get the best of services at TOTAL.
UNLEADED FUEL & YOUR CAR
Tetraethyl lead is usually added to fuel in the refinery to enhance the octane rating (how well the fuel resists detonation or pre-ignition) of fuel. The lead is emitted into the atmosphere together with exhaust gases once burning of fuel in the engine is complete.
High exposure to lead has among other health concerns, been attributed to the reduction of intelligence (IQ) levels in children. This danger has become increasingly real with the growing number of vehicles on our roads
In order to avert this problem, it has become necessary for fuel refineries to stop adding lead to fuel and instead adopt environment friendlier and healthier processes of enhancing the octane rating of fuel.
Phasing out of leaded fuel in Kenya by 31 December 2005 is a commitment that Kenya made with other Sub-Saharan countries in the year 2001 to eliminate use of leaded fuel by the end of 2005.
OUR RESPONSE TO COMMON MYTHS ABOUT UNLEADED FUEL
1. Only vehicles fitted with catalytic converters can use unleaded fuel?
All fuel engine vehicles can use unleaded fuel regardless of whether they are fitted with a catalytic converter or not. Cars fitted with catalytic converters however should use unleaded fuel because use of leaded fuel deactivates the catalysts permanently. You do not have to fit a catalytic converter to your vehicle for you to use unleaded fuel.
2. Most old vehicles running on leaded fuel will suffer from seat valve recession and engine failure if switched to unleaded fuel?
Extensive survey of published literature, fleet operators, engine re-builders, and manufacturers, reveals that all typical passenger car and light-duty truck engines (representing over 90% of fuel consumption) can safely operate on unleaded fuel. A problem may only occur in older engines (over 20 years old) if operated under prolonged high speeds or heavy loads. For these kinds of vehicles however, it is suggested that the owner gets a mechanic's advice.
3. Unleaded fuel will increase vehicle running costs?
Unleaded fuel will not be sold at a higher price. Instead, use of unleaded fuel reduces the need for frequent replacement of spark plugs, silencers and other components exposed to fuel hence saving costs.
4. Unleaded fuel will reduce vehicle performance?
Unleaded fuel will not affect the performance of your car. Lead in fuel was only used to boost the octane rating of fuel to the desired level. For unleaded fuel, a different blending process has been adopted by the refinery to achieve the same.
WHAT ABOUT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS?
| A catalytic converter is basically a platinum mesh (in a muffler like casement) connected to the vehicle exhaust system through which exhaust fumes pass before being released into the air. Its role is to convert unburned gases leaving the car engine into harmless gases before they are emitted into the environment, primarily reducing pollution. Lead found in leaded fuel deactivates the converter permanently. The catalytic converter does not have any effect on vehicle engine performance whatsoever. |
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