Redex, Cataclean, or premium Shell/BP fuel?

Sportacus

What is the feeling on these? I'm mostly interested in keeping the exhaust as clean as possible for the sake of the DPF.

EdGasket

Redex and Cataclean are for petrol engines aren't they? A diesel has a DPF but not a cat; so I don't think cataclean will help you.
The best thing you can do is use non-supermarket diesel and make sure you do a long journey at least once a week.

UsernameAlreadyExists

Don't waste your money

Sportacus

There are diesel versions of redex and cataclean, and diesels have both DPFs and catalytic converters. Cataclean gets rave reviews on Amazon and Halfords, people saying their car failed the MOT smoke test, but after using Cataclean it passed. Other reviews saying it's just snake oil

EdGasket

I've used Wynn's emission reducer pre-MoT and it does seem to bring down my borderline emissions; on a petrol engine.
However you shouldn't need to use anything unless you have a problem. Just use branded diesel and take at least one long drive every week.

Sportacus

Do you know what is wrong with supermarket diesel? As I understand it they all get their fuel from the same depots, but BP/Shell/Esso add some stuff to it (similar additives to what I think are in redex and cataclean), so I wonder if supermarket diesel + £3 for redex = shell diesel? It's very difficult to find facts when searching the internet on this.

forgotmyname

Rave reviews by the people that have just bought a 40ft container full of the stuff and need to sell it?

Nothing wrong with supermarket fuel. Drive your car properly and give it the journeys it requires to keep itself clean and save the snake oils for someone else.

JJ_Egan

Some diesel cars have an inbuilt additive tank .

Fuel tends to come out of the same tank at the oil depot .
You dont get one for each brand .

EdGasket

My in-laws jag was a write off due to repeatedly using Tesco diesel which had silicon in it. Over time this contamined the entire fuel system repeatedly blocking the injectors. The only remedy was to spend over £4K on a complete new fuel system. The engineers report specifically says it was due to proplonged use of supermarket diesel.

Also a work colleague was told to stop using supermarket fuel and use premium branded due to repeated engine check light issue.

Maybe some cars are fine with it but as you want the best for your car, I would suggest you avoid supermarket diesel. As you say, the branded makes tend to have additives in them to keep the engine clean which the supermarkets don't. Just google it, you don't have to take my word for it.

UsernameAlreadyExists

And what does google deliver? loads of forum posts where people rave about it ... because there are loads of forum posts of people raving about it.


There was a time when the supermarket fuels had silicon in it, and they coughed up to the mistake and paid for a load of damages. I was affected because it clogged up my O2 sensor and brought the engine management light on. It burnt off over time on its own.


I can't seem them doing it again in a hurry.

Sportacus

:rotfl:
That's the problem with forums, it's all opinions based on personal experiences and what people have 'heard'. It's very difficult to find solid facts.

Still it is valuable to hear peoples opinions and experiences, so thanks to all responders to this query.