With the rollout of E20 fuel (20% ethanol-blended petrol), thousands of vehicle owners across India are facing engine woes—especially those with older bikes and cars. Bajaj Auto has stepped up with a practical solution, but there’s a catch: owners will need to spend more to keep their rides running smoothly.
Bajaj’s Easy Fix: Add Fuel Cleaner Every Time You Fill Up
Bajaj Auto’s R&D experts strongly advise owners of older BS3 and pre-BS3 Bajaj motorcycles to use 40ml of fuel system cleaner with every full tank refill. The cleaner, available at fuel stations and auto outlets, costs about ₹80–100 per dose.
- Why It Matters: Ethanol in E20 absorbs moisture, which leads to rust inside the fuel system. It also causes sticky deposits that damage rubber seals, gaskets, and key engine components like butterfly valves and carburettors.
- How It Works: The fuel cleaner combats rust and cleans out gum deposits, protecting vital engine parts from damage.
Real-World Impact: The Hidden Cost for Bike Owners
For most Indian bike commuters:
- One cleaner dose per full tank (10–12L): ₹80–100
- Weekly refilling: ₹320–400 per month (₹3,600–4,800 per year)
- Five years: ₹18,000–24,000 extra just for fuel system cleaner
Delivery riders who refill more often could spend well over ₹30,000 in five years—an amount that stings, especially for middle-class families who rely on their bikes for daily commuting.
Car Owners Face Even Bigger Bills
For petrol cars (40–50L tanks), the math is tougher:
- Four cleaner doses per full refill
- Costs: About ₹4,800–6,000/year for one refill a month; ₹9,600–12,000/year for two refills a month
- Over 5–7 years: Ownership costs shoot up by ₹50,000–90,000, even for lightly used cars
Even infrequent users are looking at a minimum of ₹25,000–30,000 as an added hidden expense to protect their engines.
Bottom Line: What’s Next for Vehicle Owners?
E20 fuel is here to stay, but so are its extra costs. Skip the fuel cleaner, and you risk breakdowns, engine failure, and big repair bills. For lakhs of Indian families, especially the middle class, this regular expense is both a hassle and a burden—one that most weren’t expecting when they bought their vehicle.
Keeping your engine safe with fuel cleaner is the new normal—but everyone needs to factor these costs into their monthly budgets from now on.
