Supermarket Fuel

**BavarianRob** · 22-02-2012 09:41 PM

My 330i petrol E92 BMW drives much nicer on the super unleaded variety, better on fuel too. I get 30-32 mpg just driving normally.

Normal tesco petrol tends to make it feel lumpy.

**del19_82** · 22-02-2012 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by Nuneatonpaul

I used jet stations for ages also Tesco i took my car to stealth racing he asked what fuel i used and i told him he said jet tesco sainsburys morrisons asda was the lowest grade in his opinion crap so i filled with BP car has never run better smooth faster pick up more MPG its like driving two diffrent cars and i love my Audi so now BP only!!!!!

Jet were fined a couple of times for having watered down fuel a few years ago so I avoid them like the plague!

**nitromad** · 22-02-2012 09:53 PM

same story for me, used tesco fuel in my focus had engine problems,local garage i used found it was comtamitied fuel was cause.lucky only needed a fuel system flush and "good" fuel put in. now use bp solely car not missed a beat in over a year.tesco is well known for there massive pay out few years ago over water in there fuel and looks like problem still about.

**adamr** · 22-02-2012 09:57 PM

I've had engine problems in mine especially when its cold or damp, apparently I'm getting low fuel pressure which I guess could be the fuel thickening in the cold, I dont have a particular allegiance to a supermarket though but do use them....usually morrisons or tesco

**speedy jon** · 22-02-2012 09:58 PM

I used to work for ford and ford uk released a few technical bulletins saying to use higher quality fuel instead of supermarket. This was to do with poor running and performance/ mpg issues. It would take a few tanks fills to notice the difference.
We also had problems with the new stage 5 emissions diesel engines on tesco fuel suffering with diesel knock. This was cured by the fuel being changed.
I also noticed on my motorbike that using shell I got 165miles before both the fuel warning lights came on and with tesco I got 155miles. And for a 15lt tank I am well pleased

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**Streetluge Chris** · 22-02-2012 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by Darwil

There is supposed to be a slight difference in the level of additives, this could mean better lubrication of the cylinders so less friction so better efficiency; I have found that on my diesel car and my wifes petrol car they both seem to run smoother, have not really properly checked fuel consumption because they both do mid fifties plus mpg - so it's a bit of a muchness.
Both cars run fine on either fuel but you can tell the difference, oh and I've not tried the premium options so can't comment.

This is what I was told by a guy that worked at Shell fuels
That supermarket fuel is cheaper because they dont have the same additives 1 25 litre drum of
additive was £20,000.

**busterboy** · 22-02-2012 10:26 PM

Been running my car on Morrisons diesel since time began without issues.

Was also driving lorries for 34 years using the same stuff with zero problems.

**jamiem** · 22-02-2012 10:33 PM

Always makes me smile reading stories of "experts", usually in the form of a mates mate or a bloke down the pub

If there was any real tangible difference, don't you think the AA, RAC, and every newspaper and auto magazine would be screaming about it? As Tim really, I've run my current diesel on Tesco fuel for the past 2 years/50k miles without any hint of an issue, and for many years previously on my other cars

**electricsceadu** · 22-02-2012 10:37 PM

with my local shell garage you have to pay by cash as you don't know how safe your credit/debit card is with them
they have been done for credit card fraud, they are in a ring of 6 local shell garages that were on the fiddle
but it is known for them to be cheaper than the supermarkets even when they have the money off offers on

**LaurenceGough** · 22-02-2012 10:38 PM

That's what I'm thinking, look at the amount of people who use super market fuel without problems... Ok maybe it isn't as good for your engine, but to be honest by the time it's done any damage you probably saved the part cost on the fuel costs you've saved.

If I had a nicer car I would use the premium fuels mind you.

**scoobystig** · 22-02-2012 11:24 PM

i use Asda for my diesel as its closest to my house

i am just clocking 20K miles on my "new" company car (had it 6 months) and i am averaging 52-54mpgs sometimes can get as high as 56mpg on a good tank

cant imagine a premium band is going to improve on that,

although just like randall when i ran my Scooby it was specifically mapped to run at the 98Ron Optimax from shell not the standard 95Ron
Jap import cars suffer even more as Japanese fuel is 100Ron so running on lower Ron fuel can cause bad running and pre detonation

**ghost2212** · 23-02-2012 12:43 AM

My parents have been filling up at Asda for 3-4 years now with no problems, We have a 57 plate ford Smax 2.0L turbo diesel thats done in excess of 50k miles most of it on asda fuel with no problems. My dad used to have a Focus ST that ran fine on the petrol from there and it was running a higher power engine map at points. Only time he bothered with higher octane fuel was in germany for a few laps around "the green hell".

Maybe people who complain their cars dont run as smooth have bad ECU's that cant adapt to the different octane ratings very well causing off timing or something.

If your looking to find the cheapest fuel then Free UK fuel prices. Over 11,000 petrol stations covered - PetrolPrices.com is a good little website with daily updates etc

**Delarado** · 23-02-2012 02:11 AM

Ive only ever used shell.

I run a circuit racing team and have seen and performed various studies on various fuels and will still only ever use shell V-power.

Admittedly some cars need it. Some cars don't. Some will run better with it despite not needing it, some it will not make a difference (Depends on the type of engine management employed)

For example, a vauxhall nova 1.4 completely standard might be able to run a max of 10 degrees timing on standard fuel before detonation becomes a problem, and put out 85hp. Put in V-power - and nothing will happen. However, you might be able to adjust the timing to 14 degrees then without detonation (Due to higher octane=slower burn) and put out 90bhp.

My V10 M5 however is clever enough to run its ignition to the limits of the fuel it has at the time. Its constantly sensing for knock and adjusting engine timing to suit. On standard fuel I get about 475HP. On V-power its closer to 495-500.

I don't think the extra MPG offsets the cost though...but then again I do get 14mpg