Aspen Fuels - Frequently Asked Questions
No, quite the opposite! Alkylate petrol keeps your engine cleaner and gives better running protection, better performance and a longer service life. The principle is that the cleaner the petrol, the less damage to the engine. Compared to pump fuels, alkylate petrol keeps for approximately 10 times longer and alkylate petrol can be stored for years without losing quality; you don’t have to run your machine dry before winter and it will start much easier after long periods of being stored. Many engine manufacturers now recommend that their engines only be run on alkylate petrol.
2. Where can I buy alkylate petrol?
You can buy Aspen fuel in 2-stroke or 4-stroke versions from us here at Mower Magic - www.mowermagic.co.uk
3. Why is alkylate petrol better for the environment?
Aspen alkylate petrol contains 99% less harmful hydrocarbons compared to regular petrol. This means that the exhaust fumes become much cleaner and health risks are dramatically reduced. Compared to regular petrol Aspen alkylate petrol gives out a substantially reduced amount of substances which contribute to acidification and eutrophication as well as lowering the formation of ground level ozone which is harmful to humans, animals and plants.
4. Why is it more expensive than regular petrol?
In essence alkylate petrol is a much better fuel in all areas- a much purer and 99% cleaner form of petrol. It is an extremely clean and effective motor fuel which compared to regular pump fuel is virtually free from benzene, sulphur or other harmfull substances. The availability of alkylate petrol is limited. The actual alkylation process to produce Aspen is a much more advanced and expensive process which only a few refineries in the world can produce. Even if new ways of producing alkylate petrol is developed, regular petrol will still be the dominant type of motor fuel in the world. At the same time, Alkylate petrol has many added advantages apart from the health and environment benefits, these include a better performance, easier starting and last but not least the ability to be stored for years without going “stale”. The process involved in packaging and getting the 5L can to the customer is also higher than the bulk supply costs of pump fuel which is delivered in much larger quantities in bulk tankers and sold through a pump!
5. Why do some people not like the smell of Alkylate petrol?
Smells are perceived differently from person to person. Some people have problems with the smell of the oil in Aspen 2- here the problem is the oil. If you suffer from the smell, an alternative would be to use Aspen 4 and mix it with 2% of oil which you are used to.
It is important to note that no fumes or hydrocarbon vapours are totally harmless but Aspen alkylate petrol is one step in the right direction. The smell from alkylate petrol should not be confused with that of aromatic hydrocarbons which are much more poisonous and is scarily what many people think smells nice in regular petrol.
6. Is it true that alkylate petrol keeps much longer than regular petrol?
Yes, that is correct. Aspen alkylate petrol has a lifespan of approximately 10 times that of regular petrol. Aspen has a storage life of 3-5 years compared to 3-5 months of regular petrol . when you choose alkylate petrol for your machines you can safely put them away over winter without emptying the tank, safely knowing that they will start without a problem come spring.
7. If alkylate is so good, why don’t we run our cars on it?
The availability of alkylate is very limited and should therefore be used where it has the greatest benefits. In small engines where emission control and catalytic convertors haven’t come as far as they have in modern cars.
Alkylate petrol suits most small petrol driven machines such as lawnmowers, hedgetrimmers, clearing saws, snow clearers, chainsaws and mopeds. Sure, even cars would run on alkylate petrol but it would be a waste seeing as modern emission standards mean that modern cars already have effective and advance emission control systems in place.
8. What is the difference between Aspen 2 and Aspen 4?
Aspen 2 contains 2% fully synthetic oil and is suitable for machines such as chainsaws, strimmers, hedgetrimmers and other air cooled 2-stroke engines.
Aspen 4 is alkylate petrol without any added oil and is suitable for machines such as lawnmowers, stump grinders and other 4-stroke powered machines. It is also a great alternative fuel for camping stoves and lanterns.
9. If I have previously used regular fuel in my engine, is there anything I should consider if I want to change to alkylate petrol.
There is nothing stopping you from making a switch to alkylate petrol! If your engine is older than 15 years then we recommend that you check fuel pipes and valves in case they have dried out, been destroyed or clogged up with soot from when you have used regular petrol. It should be noted that alkylate petrol can never do more damage to your machine because in all perspectives it is a cleaner from of petrol.
10. Can I fill up with Aspen even if I have regular fuel left in the tank?
Yes, mixing the 2 fuels is fine. See above for further information.
