Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Autogas?

Autogas is the common term used for LPG, or Liquefied Petroleum Gas. The type of LPG used for automotive purposes is a mixture of butane and propane and is commonly a by-product of certain oil refining processes. It is therefore plentiful and cheap.

Is LPG easy to find?

Availability of LPG is relatively good, with over 1200 sites in the UK. Of all alternative fuels LPG is by far the easiest to find. The problem of not being able to find a refuelling site is largely a thing of the past.

What exactly is involved in fitting the system?

There are several components to an LPG installation, most of which are tailored together for vehicle and user requirements. There is a fuel tank, a front-end kit in the engine compartment which actually delivers the LPG into the engine and various electronics and wiring to control the equipment. Have a look at the conversion process for full information

What options are there for the fuel tank?

An LPG system involves the fitment of a second fuel tank, which can occupy the spare wheel space, some of the luggage compartment or even underneath the vehicle where space permits. We will discuss the best tank options with you prior to conversion. This will best assess your needs with regards to the tank capacity and location of the tank. Certain larger vehicles, for example, can be fitted with more than one tank to increase capacity, such as larger pick-ups or recreational vehicles.

What about the fuel filler?

A fuel filling point is also fitted. The location of this can be discussed prior to an installation, as there options available, including having the filler cap colour matched to the vehicle’s paint code. We do, however, only install fuel filling points in accordance with the LPGA Code of Practice 11. This code states where filling points can and cannot be located. In order for a system to be properly certified we will only install filling points in accordance with these requirements. Generally a filling point can be near the existing petrol filler or in any other convenient area towards the rear of the vehicle. For larger capacity tanks you can specify a ‘fast fill’ hose between the filler and the tank.

How exactly does the fuel get delivered to the engine?

There are two types of ‘front-end’ conversion. Both systems employ the same tank and filler arrangement; it is the delivery of the fuel to the engine that is different. In both types of conversion the fuel arrives from a pipe connecting the tank to a reducer, a device in the engine compartment which converts the LPG from a liquid into a vapour. When the engine is operating on LPG the petrol supply is switched off automatically. It is after this process that the two systems differ.

The earlier generation, known as an induction system, introduces LPG vapour into the engine via a mixer fitted to the air intake. As air is drawn into to the engine the gas is taken in via the mixer. This type of conversion is suited to all carburettor engines and some earlier fuel injected vehicles. Nearly all vehicles built after the mid-1990s are unable to reliably use this system. The fuel is not accurately metered and requires careful setting-up. We ensure this by using an MOT test style exhaust gas analyser to prevent an overly rich or lean fuel mixture.

The latest generation of system is by far the best, and arguably the only way to convert a modern vehicle to LPG. The system, known as a sequential gas injection system, has a greater number of components, including an electronic control unit (ECU) and individual fuel injectors for every cylinder of the engine. The timing of the introduction of fuel to each cylinder is read from the existing petrol injectors and interpreted by the LPG system ECU. This gives a very accurate metering of fuel and optimal economy and performance. The system can be fine tuned and set up on a computer to take account of differences in the characteristics of various engines. Every vehicle we convert is individually calibrated and set up to give the best results. Where possible we would always recommend fitting a sequential injection system because they are more reliable and provide better fuel economy.

How do I know how much LPG is left in the tank and can I switch back to petrol?

A small unit is fitted somewhere inside the vehicle which allows the switching of fuel types and gives an indication of LPG tank contents. The latest system we fit automatically switches back to petrol if the LPG tank is about to run dry.

Will it damage my engine?

An LPG system will not cause engine damage – more likely the opposite. Because the fuel burns more completely than petrol there will be less build up of carbon deposits in the engine. Carbon deposits can decrease performance and contribute to engine wear. You will probably find that other service items, such as spark plugs and engine oil will last longer.

What about loss of performance?

Modern systems, like the types we fit, cause no performance loss and can even make the engine run quieter than on petrol.

What about servicing and maintenance?

Having the system serviced is very important. Servicing the system is not difficult and generally involves a safety inspection of components and pipes as well as the replacement of filters and an emission test to check that the system is performing correctly. The first service after our conversions is free of charge. Servicing should be carried out annually or every 12,000 miles, whichever is sooner.

How about Insurance?

Insurance companies will generally not ask for additional premiums or have a problem in providing cover, as long as an LPGA certificate has been issued with the installation. All of our conversions conform with the LPGA Code of Practice 11 and are issued with a certificate to declare this.