14th August 2002

“FOUR STAR” LEAD REPLACEMENT PETROL (LRP)

The end of an era will draw to a close over the next year as lead replacement petrol, which replaced leaded “4 star” petrol, is gradually withdrawn from filling stations across the country, particularly those where demand has rapidly diminished.

However, owners of cars that require this type of fuel will still be able to continue using them by switching to Super Unleaded 97 RON or Premium Unleaded 95 RON petrol as appropriate and, in both cases, using an additive at each fill-up.

The options are explained in more detail in UKPIA’s briefing “Alternatives to LRP” available on our web site www.ukpia.com. A leaflet will also be available shortly on the Department for Transport website www.dft.gov.uk

Malcolm Watson, Technical Director of UKPIA explained “.As many older pre-1991 cars become uneconomic to repair and are scrapped, customer demand for LRP has declined rapidly to the point where it is no longer a viable grade for practical and technical reasons. The main alternative to LRP will be to switch to Super unleaded 97 RON or Premium unleaded 95 RON petrol and, in both cases, use an additive at each fill-up.  Bottled additives are available from filling stations and car accessory shops and when used with unleaded petrol will give a similar level of engine protection as LRP ”

With the EU wide move to cleaner fuels and cars, the general sale of leaded “4 star” petrol was banned from 1st January 2000 and lead replacement petrol (LRP) was introduced in its place. The move to unleaded petrol and exhaust catalysts has made an important contribution to improved air quality in the UK, illustrated by the fact that 1 1970’s car produced the equivalent exhaust emissions of 50 present-day cars.