LPG FAQ's

The SIX Questions

Other Frequently Asked Questions

The price During recent months LPG has been available across the UK for between 24p and 37.9p per litre, thus it is less than half the cost of Premium Unleaded Petrol.

Carbon & Oxygen It is the constituents of air that make life possible on our planet Earth. The balance between CARBON, the building block of all living creatures and OXYGEN, necessary for life, is maintained by every living organism obtaining energy by 'burning' carbon with oxygen. This produces Carbon Dioxide. Fortunately all green plants turn Carbon Dioxide (CO2) back into Carbon and Oxygen, through photosynthesis.

Is there a Loss of Power?

Duel Fuel Chiltern LPG vehicle conversion produces a vehicle capable of running on either LPG or Petrol.

What if I Run Out of Gas?

Dual Fuel Your Chiltern LPG converted vehicle is a dual fuel vehicle capable of running on either LPG or petrol. Since the fuel control is entirely automated via the computerised Control Unit, the engine can move from one fuel to the other. A warning light tells the driver that the gas level is low. If the vehicle completely runs out of gas, it can be driven on petrol until the gas tank is refilled.

Shall I Convert?

Why Chiltern LPGas Car Conversions?

Chiltern LPG Are committed to always being at the leading edge of technology and offer you ONLY the very best equipment and technology available.

Chiltern LPG Employ only the best technicians, whose experience and training keep them at the forefront of vehicle conversions.

Chiltern LPG We offer only the BEST! The best advice, The best technology, The best equipment,The best workmanship.

Chiltern LPG Chiltern LPG are specialists. We devote all our energies and resources to achieve the highest standards within our specialist field, the conversion of vehicles to dual fuel.

Chiltern LPG We are committed! Our total commitment leads us to talk, demonstrate and give advice entirely at no cost to You, our potential customer. If you want to know more ~ just ASK!

Yes. Nothing that can burn or explode is totally safe, but in comparison to petrol, Autogas is much less dangerous to be around! Petrol is contained in a flimsy metal or plastic tank, with vents to the atmosphere. LPG is held in a heavy pressure vessel and in normal circumstances will not allow any gas to vent. The tanks can take damage far beyond anything a normal fuel tank could absorb without rupturing. There are a number of safety devices on the vehicle to cut off fuel in case of an accident and each system is fitted in accordance with a strict procedure, to ensure that safety is the first concern. i.e. code practise 11.

A Company that is registered with the equipment supplier they are fitting is your safeguard. They have set stringent guidelines and codes of practice to ensure their members are totally competent.

Servicing and durability are covered elsewhere, but wear and tear on the engine is significantly reduced. No special requirements are needed for a converted vehicle, and your normal garage should be able to carry on with the routine maintenance.
If however the gas system needs to be touched for any reason, then it is essential that only a qualified engineer does this.

The system is dual fuel, so if you run out of either petrol or gas, you simply switch to the other. A major advantage if you don't like filling up... A major disadvantage if you have bladder problems.

Probably yes... the engine will be smoother and quieter in operation. Acceleration may be marginally down, so although a well-tuned-in driver may notice the difference, their passengers almost certainly will not.
You must remember that your vehicle has an alternative fuel system added, you should try to drive with this in mind and try to avoid driving like a racing driver.

When you first start the engine on petrol, the fuel sticks to the cylinder walls and washes off the oil which is there to protect it. This causes wear to both pistons and the cylinders. This petrol then drops down into the oil and starts to dilute it, eventually destroying the lubrication qualities. Furthermore - because the fuel does not burn completely, there is a build up of carbon deposits - which end up being pumped round the engine with the oil. These deposits are very abrasive and can contribute to engine breakdowns.

No. The standard fitting in this country is the bayonet coupling, which is seen on all forecourts that I know of. The only variation you are likely to find in this country is at some of the more pre-historic sites and they will have to use an adapter from an "acme" thread. On the continent you will find that the only adapter required will be to convert to the French claw filler. Many fuel stations keep adapters to loan to customers, but they are not expensive to buy and really easy to fit and remove. The only problem you will have is finding the thing in the glove box amongst the crisp packets and melted chocolate bars.

When a company approved by the systems caries out your conversion they are fitting. You will be issued with a certificate of conformity. The insurance companies will not charge any additional premium to any customer who can produce this certificate. A survey has been carried out to ascertain the attitude of insurance companies to gas conversions in general and the safeguards they require before granting cover, to view this click here.

Not all vehicles are suitable. A diesel engine can only be converted after a considerable amount of work is done, after which it would not run on diesel again. So unless the need to change is great, the cost would far outweigh the benefit. This situation has changed slightly with the introduction of a dual-fuel system that runs on gas and diesel at the same time. We are currently investigating it's potential.
Turbo-charged vehicles and some others have greatly increased risk of flat spots and a lean mis-fire in the inlet manifold. The very latest gas injection systems (Generation 3) have overcome most if not all these problems.

Yes. Depending on how you drive and what vehicle you are driving, your fuel consumption will be higher on Autogas than on petrol, by between 10 - 20% in normal circumstances. Although I have not known of anyone having more than this increase, a number of customers have reported that their fuel consumption has increased hardly at all. (Remember the price differential though.)

It's cheaper than petrol (forecourt prices are around 39 pence per litre, that's less than half the price of petrol).
When you run on LPG you can expect to get approx 80% of the mpg of petrol. With cheaper fuel but less mpg, the savings are approx 50%. So for every £100 you spend on petrol you could travel the same distance on LPG for around £50.
If you have a tank installed at your home or business premises and buy your LPG in bulk, the price is around 27 pence per litre.

The major factors that effect the cost of conversions are:
If the vehicle is carburettor or injection, if it has a catalytic converter and the number and type of gas tanks required.

Suffolk Fire Brigade, Securicor Omega Express, Yorkshire Water, Fulham and Hammersmith Council, Humberside Police Force, Peak District National Park, The Queens Fleet.....
the list goes on.