Contaminated fuel: What to Watch For!

As an investigation is launched by Trading Standards officers after thousands of motorists claimed they had been sold contaminated fuel, what should you do if you think your car has been affected?

It has been reported the outlets were selling petrol contaminated with ethanol without telling customers, although motoring organisations have been quick to call this unlikely.

But if you find yourself having car trouble, check out these tips :

What to look for:
* Drivers who have poured contaminated petrol into their tanks will notice their cars running roughly almost immediately

* AA technical specialist Vanessa Guyll said drivers would quickly find the car struggling to reach normal revs, slowing down and running badly

* By this point, a sensor in the exhaust pipe which measures exhaust gases will be sending information to the car's engine control unit (ECU) to run less fuel through the engine

* Many cars would move into "limp home mode", which allows the car to be driven slowly but with less acceleration - a protection built into most modern cars to prevent damage to the engine

* If the fuel is contaminated, the exhaust sensor will have turned a white or pink colour or have a white ash-type deposit on it

* The affected fuel is unlikely to cause any long-term damage to engines, provided drivers seek help immediately.

* However, the exhaust sensor would have to replaced at a cost of about £100

What should you do:
* Vehicle owners who suspect they may have been affected by contaminated fuel should take immediate action

* The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said drivers should keep all fuel receipts and note their mileage

* A spokesman said owners should contact their car dealer or manufacturer for advice if their engine starts to misfire or run roughly

* You should avoid driving the car, but your dealer should give the best advice on this

* The SMMT said if faulty fuel was proved to be the source of the problem, suppliers may be responsible for repair costs.

* The SMMT spokesman said owners should contact their local trading standards office for legal advice.

* The RAC has warned drivers not to attempt siphoning petrol from their tanks.