Experimenting with supermarket/branded fuels

newfoundglory

Has anyone tired it with interesting results?

It seems to be impossible to find an answer on the Web... the differences between supermarket and branded fuels. Some say there is, many say there isn't.

However, ever since I got shocking fuel economy after filling up at Sainsburys vs. my usual Tesco I am sure I am not imagining that a difference does exist (even between supermarket brands)

The words additives and detergents seem to be quite popular. I am fairly convinced from what I have read that the fuel is exactly the same, but the additives are probably not.

I'm going to fill up mine from empty tomorrow, and plan on giving one of the big brands a go this time.

System

When I stated that my car didn't like Sainsbury fuel a few months back I was told it was all in my mind and i was subconsciously changing my driving style.

tight_arze

I always find my car doesn't accelerate quite as quickly or run as smoothly when I use supermarket fuel.

Anyone I've spoken to says this is all in my head.

barrymung

It's known that the supermarkets are supplied from the same refineries that supply the big brands. We are told that the big brands add additives which improve performance but the supermarkets don't.

As the big brands supply the supermarkets with fuel I wouldn't put it past them adding something which makes the supermarket fuel perform worse!!!!

C_Mababejive

Listen..in Manchesters Trafford park,there is a big fuel terminal. If you pass that way,you see tankers from all the major brands and supermarkets coming in/out.

neilmcl

barrymung wrote: »

It's known that the supermarkets are supplied from the same refineries that supply the big brands. We are told that the big brands add additives which improve performance but the supermarkets don't.

As the big brands supply the supermarkets with fuel I wouldn't put it past them adding something which makes the supermarket fuel perform worse!!!!

The supermarkets, or rather the fuel suppliers for the supermarkets, also add additives to the fuel and imho there is no difference between this and "branded" fuel. FYI, Greenergy has the contract to supply Tesco and Sainsburys.

newfoundglory

neilmcl wrote: »

The supermarkets, or rather the fuel suppliers for the supermarkets, also add additives to the fuel and imho there is no difference between this and "branded" fuel. FYI, Greenergy has the contract to supply Tesco and Sainsburys.

Yes, i am aware that Tesco and Sainsburys now have the same supplier, which is why I am slightly confused about the difference. But there was a difference. The sainsburys I used was 25 or 30 miles from Tesco so I can only think it came from a different refinery perhaps.

8u87fhsd

Same Car
Same driving style
Same route
Asda avg 42mpg
Shell avg 48mpg

Even though Shell is slightly more expensive per litre I'm still saving money.

newfoundglory

If supermarket fuel is in fact inferior to shell/bp/esso/texaco/total etc etc, then its definitely not being reflected in the price, as my nearest esso is currently cheaper than tesco at the moment.

I am gonna give regular Shell a go and see what happens I think. I will have to get myself a drivers club card while i am there too

cardinalbiggles

8u87fhsd wrote: »

Same Car
Same driving style
Same route
Asda avg 42mpg
Shell avg 48mpg

Even though Shell is slightly more expensive per litre I'm still saving money.

Not in a million years, if there is that much in it then one of them is so bad your car wouldnt run.

Petrol is petrol it distills off, or cracks at a specific temperature during the refining process and there is no way the additives make that much of a difference! You are comparing like for like octane level fuels??

8u87fhsd

Octane levels - no ideas.

2.2 Toyota Diesel

Fill up on Asda regular diesel ~ over 6000 miles avg 42mpg
Fill up on Shell regular diesel ~ 23000 miles avg 48mpg