Poor MPG with Tesco fuel

KierNet

cardinalbiggles wrote: »

Extremely unlikely for a number of reasons.

You do get more fuel than you pay for at all pumps, no idea how it works it out though, something to do with the .9p I believe.

I can't really comment as I only get my fuel from Tescos, only been to other places a handful of times in the 4ish years I've been driving.

Could be down to traffic as well, stop start traffic is a killer for MPG.

Parva

cardinalbiggles wrote: »

Extremely unlikely for a number of reasons.

Totally agree. HM Customs and Excise do random spot checks on petrol stations much as they do on licensed premises and the penalties for being a fraction over or under the weights and measures are pretty severe. A petrol pump over-running by a litre or two, you have got to be kidding! They might get away with a few ml's over or under but a litre or two? I certainly think not!

Parva

KierNet wrote: »

You do get more fuel than you pay for at all pumps, no idea how it works it out though, something to do with the .9p I believe.

See my post above! Customs and Excise would have a field day!

System

Hammyman wrote: »

Any MPG difference is usually in peoples heads.

Ah the stock answer totally disregarding the fact that people have empirical evidence to the contrary.

sad_dog_lady

i have been recording usage in my toyota aygo, i spend 10 each time, and get 82 miles on average from tesco fuel, but 87 on average from shell fuel.
this is alot of town work and i know that in rural long drives i can do much better, but i have been keeping records for a while now.

System

The next reason to come out will be that you unconsciously change your driving style to get the lower figure for Tesco petrol because you expect it.

This will then develop into an in depth discussion on the difference in additive, and probably difference between refineries. At least 2 other threads on the same subject have followed this course.


They just can not accept that people can and do find a difference.

Captain_Proton

I guess the only totally scientific test would be to fill the tank to absolute capacity with, say Shell, and then drive in a straight line at a steady speed until empty - note volume of fuel used and mileage obtained. Repeat in the same car for the same fixed distance with no change in other variables, except this time with Tesco petrol. Note volume used and mileage obtained. Repeat a number of times to obtain an average MPG for each fuel.

Anyone fancy doing this? Thought not!

I'm betting the MPG with Tesco fuel would be lower though, it would be interesting to see.

As for pumps clicking off, I like to brim my car, ie. fill to the point where I can actually see the petrol sitting in the filler pipe. Trips to petrol stations in my experience are unpleasant (eg. Mr. BMW 4x4 stopping at the first pump and blocking both filling lanes so no-one can get in), so I try to minimise them as much as possible. I brimmed the Fiesta at Tesco and still got crap MPG.

greenman7

Strangely enough my Citroen 1.4 HDi is more economical with Tesco's diesel rather than any other brand. I have been 'brimming' for 2.5 years, Tesco's average has been 65.57mpg and my overall average has been 64.3mpg. I have done 24 fill ups on Tesco (900.47l) traveling 12,988miles.

mikey72

cardinalbiggles wrote: »

Extremely unlikely for a number of reasons.

It's a pressure switch in the pump handle the senses when the tank in full. So if it's a diferent brand of pumps between asda and tesco, I can easily see the pump switching off for different heights of fuel in the filler pipe, and depending on flow rate the pressure change will be faster or slower as well which will affect the switch point.
If the asda nozzle is an inch loger, it's stop sooner.

But you'll have to list a few reasons why it won't be different for me then.

cardinalbiggles

Parva wrote: »

Totally agree. HM Customs and Excise do random spot checks on petrol stations much as they do on licensed premises and the penalties for being a fraction over or under the weights and measures are pretty severe. A petrol pump over-running by a litre or two, you have got to be kidding! They might get away with a few ml's over or under but a litre or two? I certainly think not!

Its Trading Standards that do it and they wont care if its over, but they will if its under!

Tesco's however will care if its over as would the manufacturer of the flow meters in the pumps.