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Pros and Cons of Premium Fuel


Falmouthboy

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Having owned far too many cars over recent years, I have discovered that decent branded petrol consistently gives me better fuel consumption. This is backed up by a friend who owns a Gulf franchise filling station. He explained how whilst the core fuel (diesel or petrol) is of a consistent standard, (indeed is the same fuel from the refinery) the additives specified by each brand vary significantly. The supermarkets really skimp. Indeed, the taxis in his town use him rather than Asda up the road as the extra two pence a gallon is more than made up for in improved economy.

However, where I have found real inconsistency with my cars is whether or not to get the VPower or equivalent branded fuel. For the most part I have found a noticeable improvement in power and consumption with turbocharged petrol cars, but no difference on lower power petrol cars.

I have yet to find a discernible benefit of using VPower diesel though, be it a 250bhp BMW or my Yeti. Certainly no fuel consumption gains and no obvious power gains (although clearly a dyno would be needed to be certain).

I always base my views on at least three full tanks.

So, after extensive experimenting, I currently run my 110TDI Yeti on standard Shell diesel and my BMW M135i on Shell VPower petrol.

What have others found?

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Hi.  I have found Shell V-power unleaded and BP ultimate give about 3 to 5% better mpg on my 1.4 TSi petrol.  With my previous Audi A3 turbo I never saw any difference. The main reason for using them is just a feeling that the very fine holes in the direct injectors would benefit from continuous cleaning.  The downside is that filling stations charge a rather varying premium over standard unleaded, somewhere between 5p and an exorbitant 15p a litre.  Unfortunately you normally can't see the price until you are actually at the pump.

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The right engines (ie the ones that can adjust to the fuel, with turbos, variable timing etc) can benefit from better petrol as the higher octane rating can allow tighter tolerances. It doesn't mean they will, though, in all cases. For a standard normally aspirated basic engine you won't see any difference. Its common to use ethanol as an octane booster and that has a lower calorific value than petrol, so you can even see a drop in economy if the car doesn't adapt to take the most advantage of the increased stability.

 

Diesel, is well, diesel. The stuff they are putting into premium diesel is basically detergent, which again will lower the calorific value and diesel engines don't really care what you are burning as long as it passes through the system and burns when injected.

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Pro - Better power from octane engines which are mapped for high octane index and/or have adaptive timing and knock sensing.

 

Cons:-

  1. Octane engines don't benefit unless they have (Pro).
  2. Citane engines may benefit from better detergent packs, but certainly don't benefit from high citane index.
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Better Power!,

but how about maybe just more efficient running, cold starting, less pollution, cleaner oil, longer lasting spark plugs,

does any of that apply. 

 

Now on the subject of Mapped Engines, Sensors, CO2 Irregularities, fuel octanes etc, 

VW know a bit about that.

They know how to manipulate an engine, they know how to reduce performance on some engines, they know how to get them running efficiently obviously.

http://volkswagen.co.uk/need-help/owners/Fuel

So UK 'Super Unleaded' Petrol is 97 ron minimum from Esso, Gulf, BP, Sainsburys,

& 99 ron Minimum from Tesco Momentum 99 & Shell V-Power Nitro+

(The Shell V-Power Nitro+ can be a higher Octane in Mainland European Countries.)

Edited by GoneOffskiroottoot
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With performance petrol cars I've noticed about 2-3mpg better mpg with premium unleaded. The Furby vRS absolutely has to have it though - runs rough on standard 95.

When I had my mk1 diesel fabia vRS I tried both normal and premium diesel and found no difference :-)

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As I said in the other thread on my Mk3 tdi Octy and my 535d I have found no pro's at all to putting the expensive stuff in and the only con is the price, both perform identically as far as I can tell no matter which I put in, I believe some petrol are different but I could be wrong.

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Mainly put Tesco momentum in but never seen any difference if I run a tank of other supermarket through it.

Told that Tesco momentum is the best of the premium supermarkets own. No idea on the big names never filled up at one.

My works Fiesta diesel gets supermarket own normal all the time and gives 54mpg no matter which supermarket is used.

Edited by Defenderben
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I only use V Power in my daily as it runs remarkably better with improved economy. It doesn't have any fuel sensors or maps either, just a carb and a dizzy.

All the moderns get whatever's cheapest as I simply don't care :)

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I only use V Power in my daily as it runs remarkably better with improved economy. It doesn't have any fuel sensors or maps either, just a carb and a dizzy.

All the moderns get whatever's cheapest as I simply don't care :)

Which leads me to believe that it was probably originally designed (CR and ignition timing) to run on 97 or 99 RON, where "normal unleaded" is 95RON.

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Always have used Tesco Momentum since Day One (or RON equivalent if Momentum not available). Don't know if its any better than standard petrol or not, but as the recommendation for the vRS TSI engine is for 97RON minimum, it seemed wise to follow the advice. The general consensus from this forum seems to indicate (for the Fabia vRS) that the extra cost of the fuel is more than compensated by extra mpg. 

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Many were never even born in the old days of putting out emissions to your hearts content and there were more sparrows,

but people were ill younger, and maybe no longer on this earth, but then more people probably smoked more as well.

(Cars went well though.)

 

http://theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuel/LRP.html

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For Shell users

 

Pro: You're adding the fuel of choice for Ferrari's (pooooowwaar)

 

Con: You're paying more

 

*disclaimer: above comment is not based on any facts just adverts.

Edited by M12MKD
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Just remember to listen to what is said, 

and remember that Shell Filling Station Pumps near the Ferrari HQ & Test Tracks & elsewhere can have Shell -V-Power of higher Octane than as sold at UK Shell Filling Stations.

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I never found any difference between shell v power and tesco momentum with my leon in either standard or performance setting. I have no intention of spending a penny more on a boggo standard diesel than I have to.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

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Tesco Super petrol seems to make my exhaust produce more pops and crackles :)

 

I don't put it on my rice crispies  :devil:

 

Personally I always use Tesco Momentum 99 or Shell Vpower Nitro - in my fleet

 

Higher octane fuel has always made a difference to my old 2001 Skoda Octavia 1.416v(pre turbo and direct injection) - more performance and a slight improvement to economy

 

I've never even put lower octane fuel in my 2014 Superb  1.4tsi so I can't compare , but it runs well and economy pretty good

 

Not sure it does much for the 2006 1.2 Panda - maybe a bit smoother

 

In my recently sold 2003 Skoda Superb 1.9pd I tried Shell Vpower diesel and it made no real difference

Edited by bigjohn
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Why is everyone assuming premium diesel is only good for improved fuel economy?

 

If someone runs a couple of tanks of premium diesel and doesn't see an improvement then it has to be rubbish?

 

Perhaps you are all watching and reading different adverts than me but the ones I've seen promote engine cleaning / life as their primary benefit.

 

I'd imagine emissions may also be affected, and it'll probably have benefits for the DPF too.

 

Basically it is affecting stuff you can't see, or as this thread demonstrates, appreciate?

Edited by silver1011
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