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An European Directive made it illegal to sell leaded fuel anywhere within the European Union after 1 January 2000 although lead replacement fuel is available. 

From the middle of 1999, leaded fuel will be phased out. However a derogation permits up to 0,5% of total sales to contain lead but this will not be available on forecourts but will only be sold to specialist groups in bulk form.

In preparation for this, the major oil companies are working on the formulation for a new, anti valve seat recession additive, either potassium, sodium or phosphorous. This may be sold as a lead free replacement fuel or as an additive to be added to unleaded fuel. Either way, there will be an alternative available for those cars that need leaded fuel. The BSI has almost completed work on the new specification which is all but identical to leaded fuel but without the lead. It would appear that similar products will be sold in other EU Member States.

Why is lead added to petrol? 
Lead is added to petrol to increase its octane rating; in simple terms it could be called an improver. This means that more high-grade petrol can be produced from a given quantity of crude oil than would otherwise have been the case. Modern refining technology and alternative "improvers" now allow similar quantities to be produced without the use of lead and at similar costs. 

What is the problem with lead in petrol? 
Lead is a poison. There is no safe level of lead in the human body. Emissions from vehicles running on leaded petrol are absorbed directly into the body and indirectly through the food chain. High levels of lead have been linked with brain damage in young people.

What happens if I run an older car which is only suitable for leaded petrol on unleaded fuel? 
Valve seat wear will increase and eventually the cylinder head and valves will need major work.

So what can I do?
You can change your valve seats for hardened ones and, with suitable ignition timing adjustment, run your car on unleaded fuel. Alternatively, you can use one of the potassium/sodium or phosphorous additives mentioned above.

Can I fit a catalytic convertor? 
A catalytic convertor may only be fitted to a vehicle with an appropriate engine management system.

You should contact your local Citroën specialist for further advice.

No responsibility is accepted for the accuaracy of the following information.


Unleaded fuel 

UK models from 1978 onwards 

Vehicles not fitted with catalytic convertors 

The engine type determines the usability of unleaded fuel; it is shown on the engine plate. Model series letters are contained in the chassis number.



Fuel code


R

Refer to dealer before using unleaded fuel


U

Must use unleaded fuel


L

Must use leaded fuel


E

Can use either leaded or unleaded fuel

AXBXCX2CV6DyaneLNAVisaGS/GSAC15C 25

MODEL

ENGINE CC

MODEL YEAR

MODEL SERIES

ENGINE TYPE

FUEL CODE

STD IGNITION ADVANCE
Degree at RPM

RESET TO

AX 10 E 
AX 10 RE
AX 10 E Van

954

1987 on

ZA ZA
ZH
ZA ZE

C1A

E

AX 11 RE
AX 11 TRE

1 124

1987 on

ZA ZB
ZJ

H1A

E

AX 14 TRS,
AX 14 TZS
AX GT

1 360

1987 & 1988
1989 on
1988 on

ZA ZC, ZK
ZA ZC, ZK
ZA ZD

K1A
K1G
K2A

R
R
R

8 at 750
8 at 750
8 at 750

4 at 750
4 at 750
4 at 750

BX
BX 14 E
BX 14 RE

1 360

1 360

1984 to 1988
1984 to 1988
1989 on

XB XA
XB XD
XB ER

150 A
150 C
K1G

L
L
R

8 at 750

4 at 750

BX 16 RE
BX 16 RS, TRS
BX 16 RS, TRS
BX 16 RS Estate
BX 16 RS, TRS
BX 16 RS Estate

1 580

1987 on
1984
1985 to 1988
1986 to 1988
1989 on
1989 on

XB EE
XB XB
XB XB
XB XE
XB XB
XB XE

B1A/A
171 B
171 C
171 C
B2C
B2C

R
R
R
R
E
E

10 at 700
10 at 850
10 at 850
10 at 850

6 at 700
8 at 850
8 at 850
8 at 850

BX 19 GT/Digit
BX 19 TRS
BX 19 TRS Estate
BX 19 GTi
BX 19 TRi Estate
BX GTi16V, BX 16 Valve

1 905

1985 & 1986
1987 on
1987 on
1987 on
1988 on
1987 on

XB XG
XB XG
XB XH
XB EG
XB EH
XB EJ

159 A
D2A
D2A
D6A
D6A
D6C

R
R
R
R
R
L

10 at 850
10 at 850
10 at 850
5 at 900
5 at 900

8 at 850
7 at 850
7 at 850
2 at 900
2 at 900

CX 2000 Saloon
CX 2000 Estate

1 985

1978 & 1979
1978 & 1979

MA MB
MA MD

M20/616
M20/616

E
E

CX 2000 Reflex, Athena
CX 2000 Reflex Estate
CX 20 Saloon
CX 20 Estate
CX 20 RE Saloon
CX 20 RE Estate

1 995

1980 to 1982
1980 to 1982
1983 to 1986
1983 to 1986
1987 on
1987 on

MA MP
MA MR
MA MP
MA MR
MA MP
MA MR

829A500
829A500
829A5
829A5
J6RA500
J6RA500

E
E
E
E
E
E

CX 22 TRS Saloon
CX 22 RS Estate

2 165

1986 on
1988 on

MA NR
MA NS

J6TA500
J6TA500

E
E

CX 2400 Saloon & GTi
CX Injection Prestige
CX 2400 Injection & GTi
CX 2400 Injection Prestige
CX 2400 GTi
CX 2400 Injection Prestige

2 347

1978 to 1980
1978 to 1980
1981 to 1983
1981 to 1983
1982 & 1983
1982 & 1983

MA ME 
MA ML
MA MT
MA MV
MA NA
MA NE

M23/622
M23/622
M23/622
M23/622
M23/622
M23/622

E
E
E
E
E
E

CX 2400 Estate
CX 2400 Saloon
CX Prestige
CX 2400/Reflex 2,4 Estate

2 347

1978 to 1980
1978 to 1980
1978 to 1980
1981 to 1983

MA MF
MA MJ
MA MK
MA MW

M23/623
M23/623
M23/623
M23/639

E
E
E
E

CX 25 Pallas, GTi
CX 25 Prestige
CX 25 Estates

2 500

1984 on
1984 on
1984 on

MA NG
MA NH
MA NJ

M25/659
M25/659
M25/659

E
E
E

CX 25 GTi Turbo
CX 25 GTi Turbo 2
CX 25 Prestige Turbo

2 500

1985 and 1986
1987 on
1987 on

MA NK
MA NK
MA NP

M25/662
M25/666
M25/666

E
E
E

2 CV 6
2 CV 6

602
602

1978 to 1984
1985 on

AZ KA
AZ KA

A06/635
A06/635 from engine # 0906015012 on

L
E

Dyane 6

602

1978 to 1983

AY CB

AM2

L

LNA 11 E, 11 RE

1 124

1983 to 1986

RB RG

109-5F

L

Visa Club, Special
Visa II Club, Special
Visa Club, Special

652
652
652

1979 to 1981
1982
1983 to 1985

VD VA
VD VJ
VD VF

V06/630
V06/630
V06/644

L
L
E

Visa 10 E

954

1987 and 1988

VD PC

108C

E

Visa Super, Super E
Visa II Super E, Visa II L
Visa Super E, Visa L
Visa 11 E, 11 RE

1 124

1979 to 1981
1982
1983
1984 to 1987

VD VB
VD VG
VD VG
VD VG

109-5
109-5E
109-5F
109-5F

L
L
L
L

Visa Super X
Visa II Super X

1 219

1981
1982

VD VE
VD VH/VL

129-5
129-5E

L
L

Visa GT
Visa GT
Visa 14 TRS

1 360
1 360
1 360

1983 to 1985
1986
1985 and 1986

VD VS
VD VS
VD PE

150 B
150 B
150 D

L
E
R

8 at 700

5 at 700 

Visa GTi
Visa GTi

1 360

1985 to 1986
1987

VD PD
VD PD

180 A
B6D

R
R

30 at 3000
30 at 3000

27 at 3000
27 at 3000

GS and GSA
Saloons and Estates
Special, Club, Pallas, X, X1, X2 and X3

1 130

1978 to 1980
1981 to 1983

GX GA/GE
GX YA/YE

G11/931
G11/631

E
E

1 220

1978 to 1980
1978 to 1980
1978

GX GB
GX GC
GX GH

G12/611 or /612
G12/611 or /612
G12/619

E
E
E

1 299

1980
1980 and 1981
1980 and 1981
1980 and 1981
1980 and 1981
1982 to 1986
1982 to 1986
1982 to 1986
1982 and 1983

GX GL
GX YL
GX YR
GX YS
GX YV
GX YL
GX YR
GX YS
GX YV

G13/625
G13/625
G13/625
G13/625
G13/625
G13/646
G13/646
G13/646
G13/646 

E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E

C 15 E Van
C 15 E Super Van
C 15 E Van
C 15 E Super Van

1 124
1 360
1 124
1 360

1985 to 1988
1987 and 1988
1989 on
1989 on

VD PA
VD PJ
VD PX
VD SA

109 K
150 D
H1A
K1G

E
R
E
R


8 at 700

8 at 750


5 at 700

4 at 750

C 25 E 1000
C 25 E 1000
C 25 E 1400/1500
C 25 E 1800
C 25 E 1800 

1 796
1 971
1 971
1 971
1 971

1987 and 1988
1989 on
1987 on
1988
1989 on

280A10
280A20
280B20
280J30
280J30

169 B
170 B
170 B
170 C
170 C from engine # 1ACUF001602

E
E
E
R
E


 

10 at 700


 

6 at 700



Special thanks to Citroën UK Ltd. and to the British Petroleum Co plc