I filled up with Shell V-Power Diesel before a long distance drive to Cardiff and back at the weekend. I thought I'd give it a go perhaps expecting a bit more performance or a few extra mpg. In reality I didn't notice either, in fact the opposite - the car (Octy Mk1 1.9tdi 110) drove more like it does on crappy supermarket fuel. Performance was down and mpg also dropped compared to using Shell FuelSave.

Has anyone else noticed this? I was very disappointed for 8p/litre extra - certainly won't be bothering again!

It will take a few fill ups to make a difference however not necessarily mpg or performance , smoother running and cleaner burn better in a cr engine because the soot levels will be less for the dpf to get rid of ?

^ +1. V-Power has injector cleaner, and has a higher cetane rating. As aid, likely to take time to 'see' the advantages

I used to have a 2.0 Tdi 140 bhp passat, was always ran on supermarket fuel when I got it, I treated it to 3 full tanks of vpower aswell as a forte fuel cleaner & noticed the car to be running smoother, less smokey & a couple mpg better.

Then ran only shell, esso or BP ordinary fuel with the odd tank of vpower.

You don't get overnight results

G

^ +1. V-Power has injector cleaner, and has a higher cetane rating. As aid, likely to take time to 'see' the advantages

So does the fuel save and most standard dervs. Even if the cheapest derv didn't have enough add a shot of millers per tank and it's still a darn site cheaper.

The Forte is good though

Edited 2 July, 201214 yr by cheezemonkhai

OK - I guess I was expected a fairly immediate bang for my buck - more like high octane Petrol.

It's got another half a tank to prove itself to me then its back to FuelSave!

Still not sure why performance actually seems worse though? I'm pretty sure I'm not imagining it.

OK - I guess I was expected a fairly immediate bang for my buck - more like high octane Petrol.

It's got another half a tank to prove itself to me then its back to FuelSave!

Still not sure why performance actually seems worse though? I'm pretty sure I'm not imagining it.

It's gas to liquid, which can mean a less energy dense fuel.

It's gas to liquid, which can mean a less energy dense fuel.

True, but this should be offset by a more efficient burn

I use nothin but v power diesel and with a points card I get regular vouchers for money off fuel so it doesn't really work out much difference in price then normal diesel

I use nothin but v power diesel and with a points card I get regular vouchers for money off fuel so it doesn't really work out much difference in price then normal diesel

Me 2 over twelve months works out something the same, oh also free coffee

Mine runs 10000% better on vpower... I don't know if that's because that's what it was mapped on though?

Personally I find different cars/engines like different fuels. I'm certain you could grab 20 cars straight from the factory, and all would favour different fuels/brands. Personally tried the Octavia on premium fuel, before using normal octane and finding better MPG.

My personal attitude is to find a fuel, on which your car runs satisfactory for you, at a price you're happy with paying rather than the marketing guff or what the mass consensus is you should use.

I've never bothered with the shell points card as when they launched it the savings sounded utterly crap. Is it actually any good then?

yeah I get vouchers and regular money off my next fill up, usually around the 5quid mark.

I've tried she'll premium, bp premium plus their standar fuels and morrisons/ASDA fuel and none seemed to make a difference to my old octavia.

Mine loves V Power diesel. Just had 4 tank fulls of it and now just put in normal Shell diesel and I have noticed a difference.

Well I'm most of the way through the tank now and I think its feeling a bit smoother perhaps - but nothing major. It's interesting to hear all the replies - sounds like it's a bit hit and miss - for some it works great while others don't notice the difference at all.

My engine is serviced regularly and doesn't smoke at all - I cleaned the EGR and inlet manifold recently and run through some injector cleaner every six months. Perhaps I'm not noticing much difference because the engine is in good condition anyway?

Fuel economy is top of my list these days so I'll still be going back to FuelSave - it seems by far the best in my motor.

Mine runs 10000% better on vpower... I don't know if that's because that's what it was mapped on though?

Really, like perpetual motion.

Come on seriously!

A petrol engine will benefit from better fuel as it's the point of igntion that is affected.

A derv always runs with excess air and explodes when it's compressed.

There isn't a huge amount you can do on that front.

Really, like perpetual motion.

Come on seriously!

A petrol engine will benefit from better fuel as it's the point of igntion that is affected.

A derv always runs with excess air and explodes when it's compressed.

There isn't a huge amount you can do on that front.

Except a higher cetane number means the fuel starts to burn earlier and so more of the energy is released in to the cylinder to force the piston down before the exhaust valves open.

Meanwhile, on topic, I find my little 3 cylinder 1.4 diesel does get better mpg on vpower, to the point where it negates most of the increased cost, but I do seem to be in the minority, most seem to report it lowers mpg.

Not VAG but my remapped 2.2 TDCi Transit runs BP Ultimate Diesel only, I've used V-Power diesel and found it didnt make much difference, its much quieter, smoother and more responsive on the BP stuff.

^ +1. V-Power has injector cleaner, and has a higher cetane rating. As aid, likely to take time to 'see' the advantages

I have read the opposite. I saw on a forum a reply from shell saying their 'Fuel Save' has more cetane than V-power diesel. However V-Power gets it's performance by the different additives/detergents it uses.

The only difference I find with V-power is it makes me slightly light...... in the back pocket!

Edited 3 July, 201213 yr by Jim H

Except a higher cetane number means the fuel starts to burn earlier and so more of the energy is released in to the cylinder to force the piston down before the exhaust valves open.

Meanwhile, on topic, I find my little 3 cylinder 1.4 diesel does get better mpg on vpower, to the point where it negates most of the increased cost, but I do seem to be in the minority, most seem to report it lowers mpg.

Is the v-power cetane higher? I've not seen that as a claim?

TBH cheap derv plus millers would still cost less and the millers has a cetane booster in it too?

If it was 2-3p per L more, then I might be inclined, but at 8p-12p per litre more, it's a bit of a giraffe.

"V-Power Diesel is a blend of regular petroleum-based diesel and synthetic diesel, created using gas to liquids (GTL), along with some extra additives designed to clean the injection system and improve injection pump and injector lubricity... The fuel is slightly less dense than regular diesel so, per volume, the unit energy is actually lower than regular diesel. This is offset, as the fuel tends to ignite more readily (and thus has a higher cetane rating) than regular diesel, and a side benefit of this is that it tends to produce less soot during combustion." Source - Wiki

From a wiki?

Fair enough, but Certainly in a PD140, I found it gave worse MPG.

The BP didn't give worse MPG, but IMHO couldn't justify the extra cost.

Im not sure on the skoda but i know on my celica t sport if you remove your battery neg or remove main fuse to reset your ecu then the ecu will learn again with the fuel (or mod) you are using. Whereas not resetting it will have to learn over a good few tanks to start getting the benefits