Cheapest Petrol & Diesel Discussion Area

devizes18193

FOUND THIS http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/petrol-bills-calculator thought ot might be of use

cgcockcroft

Sorry if already posted.

There are a few people on another forum that say the supermarket fuel is not as good quality as the standard main brand fuel (Shell, BP etc) therefore it's best to pay slightly more for Shell/BP etc because they get much better mpg. Anyone heard of this or can confirm/dismiss it?

Super_Stomper

lindelou wrote: »

Has anyone else noticed the extreme variation in diesel and petrol prices in a 20 mile radius. In my town it is 119.9 at Morrissons for petrol, and yet if i go 15-20 miles at the same supermarket it is 3p a litre cheaper. Why can't they all keep prices about the same? I am really getting to begrudge paying 3p a litre more for the sake of convenience.I wish more people would boycott the overchargers, but I despair to see that no-one does. So I am likely to be one of the few who refuses to pay more than I need to to fill up.

I live in Sheffield and used to find that the Morrisons around Rotherham & Doncaster were 1-2p cheaper, presumably because those areas are a little less affluent, but that isn't happening anymore. However, there is a Shell station on Balby Road in Doncaster that is only 115.9p per litre - because it's on one side of a dual carriage way and awkward to get at. I used to use it regularly at one time until it closed down - but it seems it was only being re-furbished so it is back on my list for when I am in that area.

AdrianHi

cgcockcroft wrote: »

Sorry if already posted.

There are a few people on another forum that say the supermarket fuel is not as good quality as the standard main brand fuel (Shell, BP etc) therefore it's best to pay slightly more for Shell/BP etc because they get much better mpg. Anyone heard of this or can confirm/dismiss it?

Here are the requirements of EN590 the standard diesel fuel must meet in Europe:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EN_590
First on the list is the Cetane number which must be at least 51, no upper limit is given. There is more to measuring a diesel fuel quality than Cetane number alone, but this number is a measure of how well the fuel burns. A Cetane number above 55 gives no further benefit, Cetane number of diesel will vary by refinery, time of year, batch, colour of the underwear worn by the oil engineer etc. (OK the last one is not true ). When all else is equal (weather, driving route, driving habits etc.) a higher Cetane number fuel will result in better fuel economy, more power output and smoother running. The differences while often noticeable are never dramatic.
So guaranteed minimum (typically higher, especially in winter) Cetane numbers:
Regular diesel (super market and otherwise): 51
Shell regular diesel: 53 (once known as Shell Diesel Extra)
Shell V-Power diesel: 55
BP Ultimate Diesel: 55
Total Excellium: 53
Regular "51" diesel vs. BP Ultimate Diesel "55" and I measure a 5 to 7% improvement in fuel consumption.
Using an additive like Millers Diesel Sport 4 increases Cetane number by 4, so you always get 55+ regardless of which fuel used costs 2.5p per litre more and I measure the same 5-7% improvement.
Additives and premium fuels also have detergents and lubricants which have been shown to keep the engine cleaner over time.

For reasons I cannot find an explanation for I did used to measure a drop in economy *sometimes* on super market fuel, but with so many variables it's hard to blame that fact it's supermarket fuel for the drop.
These days I use Millers in what ever the cheapest regular diesel I can find.
Shell or discounted supermarket fuel (5p off per L with £50 shopping deals etc.) would be best value for money if you don't want to muck about with additives.

clairebear00000

Prices are just ridiculous at the moment; I found a really good offer the other day... I know it won’t help with overall cost of fuel but I needed to replace my tyres for my car to pass its MOT and Central Tyre has an offer of £30 free fuel when I bought my tyres . I think there is a few around the country so check if they have got one by you, on their website or yell.com

Claire.

ChemicalJasper

cgcockcroft wrote: »

Sorry if already posted.

There are a few people on another forum that say the supermarket fuel is not as good quality as the standard main brand fuel (Shell, BP etc) therefore it's best to pay slightly more for Shell/BP etc because they get much better mpg. Anyone heard of this or can confirm/dismiss it?

Good post by AdrianHi,

From the Fuel supply depot (Brand withheld) this morning we have had Our brand, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsburys, ASDA, Shell, BP, Esso, Texaco, Fina & numerous independants all collecting essentailly the same fuel with some minor diffences in brand specific additives.

You decide!

As AH and previous posts state, fuel is blended from various Hydrocarbons, from what ever are the cost effective available components to meet the minimim required product standard at any particular time.

AdrianHi

ChemicalJasper wrote: »

Good post by AdrianHi,

From the Fuel supply depot (Brand withheld) this morning we have had Our brand, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsburys, ASDA, Shell, BP, Esso, Texaco, Fina & numerous independants all collecting essentailly the same fuel with some minor diffences in brand specific additives.

You decide!

As AH and previous posts state, fuel is blended from various Hydrocarbons, from what ever are the cost effective available components to meet the minimim required product standard at any particular time.

I guess your in the business in some capacity. I've picked my info. up over time and my understanding is that the difference between a "regular" diesel fuel and the various premium diesel fuel products is just down to additives after the refinery.
Someone hinted that Shell V-Power is somehow different from the refinery, may be they do something to remove more of the allowable level of "impurities" or something.
Either way no one who actually works in the industry will say anything conclusive on this subject on forums for fear of their job.

davesharma

Thanks for the tips, raised a few queries though:

I generally have to fill up once a week, which I do with my weekly shopping as the petrol is cheap at the supermarket about a 15-mile round trip away. If I only filled half the tank, I would need to top up midweek on my commuter trip - petrol being about 4p/litre more expensive. I'm not sure what the best advice is as I can't calculate how much I'm losing by extra weight filling my tank full?

Also is it not more expensive to use AC than to wind the windows down at low speeds where there would be little drag?

Finally, one further driving tip: leave a good distance between yourself and the car in front. As well as being good, safe practice it would mean you're less likely to need to brake.

AdrianHi

davesharma wrote: »

Thanks for the tips, raised a few queries though:

I generally have to fill up once a week, which I do with my weekly shopping as the petrol is cheap at the supermarket about a 15-mile round trip away. If I only filled half the tank, I would need to top up midweek on my commuter trip - petrol being about 4p/litre more expensive. I'm not sure what the best advice is as I can't calculate how much I'm losing by extra weight filling my tank full?

I have no measurements to back up my view, but I cannot see the reduced weight of less fuel getting anywhere near compensating for 4p/L cheaper fuel. I would fill up the tank on the cheaper fuel.

davesharma wrote: »

Also is it not more expensive to use AC than to wind the windows down at low speeds where there would be little drag?

I did read the results of a more scientific test on this point, cannot rememeber where to give you the link.
Automatic airconditioning makes a neglible difference to fuel consumption unless it's really hot and then you simply cannot do without it. On average windows open A/C off is about the same extra fuel used as windows closed A/C on. Higher speeds A/C on is better. For all the "turn your A/C off" it saves fuel advice you see on the 'net, in the end the difference is very small, it's far more important to keep cool and comfortable in the car whichever way you can than worry about the small difference.

davesharma wrote: »

Finally, one further driving tip: leave a good distance between yourself and the car in front. As well as being good, safe practice it would mean you're less likely to need to brake.

Good advice, also if you are approaching traffic congestion the best thing you can do is bring a space to it, allows people to lane change, make turns or what ever and helps to break up and reduce the congestion. There's another good site somewhere on this.

Brent

Topical (but bit off topic-sorry). Just back from France. Auchan Supermarket, St Martin, Boulogne advertising diesel at e1.42 per litre. Filled up and later checked quantity against cost and found I had been charged e1.486 per litre.
Suspicious, I checked previous fillup from Champion, Crevecour and found I had been overcharged 2 cents a litre more than advertised price.
Wonder if this 'oversight' has reached these shores, (and how do you know a dispensed litre from the pump is a true litre).
DaveK.