Castrol has developed an emergency fuel which is safer to carry around than a
can of petrol but will start and run a car in an emergency (GB 2352451). The
fuel comes in two components. The main one is a mixture of 70 per cent paraffin
and 30 per cent naphthane, which has a much higher flashpoint than petrol. On
its own, this cannot start an engine, but when mixed with a small amount of
butyl peroxide it can start an engine from cold. Castrol tested the idea with a
1997 Buick Riviera, draining the tank and engine dry,…
Technology
Running on empty
By Barry Fox
24 March 2001
