V-Power Diesel

Sting_2

Couldn't find a suitable board to post this on, so I am putting it here.

Today I filled up with diesel. Normally I use regular diesel which costs around £1.32. But today I filled up with Shell's V-Power diesel costing £1.38.

So the premium fuel costs about 5% more. Will I get 5% more miles from the tank? I am wondering if anyone else has tried this to see if it is cost effective to buy the more expensive fuel.

Crabman

Hi Sting - I've moved this to the Motoring Board

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

piggeh

I've never noticed any increase in mpg when I've used it, although maybe there's a small gain from the slightly lighter wallet I'm carrying at the time.

Markyt

Made no difference when I used it.

oldagetraveller

I put some of the BP equivalent (Ultimate?)Diesel in my tank some time ago in error. I did notice the engine did seem to run a bit "smoother" but that could have just been my imagination. There was no noticeable difference in consumption so my conclusion is that these fancy fuels are just a cynical ploy by the oil companies to wring more cash out of unsuspecting, gullible punters?

AdrianHi

There is science behind why these premium fuels will, on average, show better fuel consumption for most people. You will have to wait until tank 2 or 3 to get the full benefit, but a 5% to 7% has been measured by many including me (using BP Ultimate Diesel). On a 45mpg car your talking about a 2 to 3mpg improvement, by tank 2 or 3. Not easy to measure when there are other things that can cause variance in fuel used, but I've tracked it long enough to know it's there.
Engine will be a little smoother with possibly a touch more power.
At best you break even on cost, I use Millers Diesel Sport 4 additive which gives same results for less cash.

Hintza

Just to add these benefits will probably only bee seen on bigger engine cars.

I tried it and I think there was an improvement (ultimate petrol), the old car went faster and accelerated better...it was fun but I wasted it all on improved performance