Supermarket fuel

nickcc

cardinalbiggles wrote: »

All the petrol companies add additives. And no, its not lacking knowledge.

But we're talking about supermarkets who often buy their product off the spot market and they don't add additives to their base fuels. Perhaps you would like to share where you gained you're knowledge regarding the supply of retail motor fuels.

steve-L

nickcc wrote: »

But we're talking about supermarkets who often buy their product off the spot market and they don't add additives to their base fuels. Perhaps you would like to share where you gained you're knowledge regarding the supply of retail motor fuels.

I'm not an expert but I believe that all fuel must legally have certain additives.

Some companies like Shell make a big deal that they add other additives that improve fuel consumption and keep engine and fuel pumps cleaner.

My guess is that the 'legally required' additives are added for everyone and then premium distributors add their own on top???
Hence the confusion!

As far as I know Shell do not SELL this to anyone.... why.... because otherwise they have NO Differentiator to anyone else!

Quite how effective the 'premium' additives are is open to question. Not only that but it probably depends on your engine! (Both the model of engine and fuel system but also the age nd history of your actual engine)

nickcc

steve-L wrote: »

I'm not an expert but I believe that all fuel must legally have certain additives.

Some companies like Shell make a big deal that they add other additives that improve fuel consumption and keep engine and fuel pumps cleaner.

My guess is that the 'legally required' additives are added for everyone and then premium distributors add their own on top???
Hence the confusion!

As far as I know Shell do not SELL this to anyone.... why.... because otherwise they have NO Differentiator to anyone else!

Quite how effective the 'premium' additives are is open to question. Not only that but it probably depends on your engine! (Both the model of engine and fuel system but also the age nd history of your actual engine)

The basic fuel that comes from the refinery contains no additives (except Diesel which contains anti static additive) all other additives are injected on the loading gantries. Each company that picks up from the distribution terminal has their own dedicated additive systems, Stanlow distribution terminal only had additive systems for the Major oil companies.

cookie_monster

Filled up with standard Shell unleaded a few days ago and the car is running lumpy on idle, would normally use vpower.

nickcc

Shell ULG is 95 RON and Shell V Power is 98 RON same as super unleaded. My petrol car used to run better on super ULG but I preferred to pay for the cheaper ULG, both contain additives.

Dave_C_2

steve-L wrote: »

sorry, didn't realise your hobby was stripping down engines and fuel pumps... obviously you do this on a regular basis. What I'm asking is if you only ever use supermarket fuel what are you comparing with or do you have NO WAX buildup at all when you change the fuel filter? Have you actually sent away the residue for analysis and had lab reports back that there are no heavy aliphatics or aromatics on the filter at all? Or is it possible that when you strip down the filters you might possibly find less build up on a 'premium fuel' that you did on supermarket fuel?

???
I have not said that I only ever use supermarket fuel. On the occasions that I have to buy non-supermarket fuel (motorways, days out and so on) guess what - no noticeable difference in performance or mpg.
Why should I save money by using supermarket fuel then blow it all on such tests, which will prove nothing useful ?

However if you wish to post your results and lab reports ...

Dave

vikingaero

I don't see what the problem is pro/against supermarket/branded fuels.

If you think your car runs better on one or the other then go for it. If you don't think it runs better then that's your choice. No one is right.

mutley74

i used supermarket fuel for years..only buy from whoever is cheapest around.

Last month my car had its service (less than 2yr old car-diesel).
last week filled up diesel from Tesco in Teesside.
car not used much this weekend.
Today drove to work and have Engine Management fault and ABS faults screaming at me.
I took the car to the main dealer (1/2 day off work) to get it checked out, they said fuel filter blocked probably from frozen supermarket fuel diesel additives!
I am now trying to complain against Tesco....when i phoned the fuel station manager..he says "yeah its a common problem for diesels, and shows no concern"!

nickcc

It's called waxing and is usually caused by using summer grade diesel in freezing conditions, Tesco's supplier will not be supplying summer grade diesel after November. Problem will not be caused by additives as Tesco don't buy diesel with additives except for ASA3 which is a anti static additive.

Strider590

Your ABS fault is something else.....