Fuel Additives

[Sasquatch]

The quality of the storage and distribution facilities are far more important than any notional differences between the fuels themselves.

In that regard, supermarket forecourts are generally more modern, and turnover of stock high, so you're likely (but never guaranteed) to get a better quality product at a supermarket pump.

Then there is the issue of origin - Greenergy supply fuel to Tesco and Esso, Morrisons fuel comes from Shell, Essar supply BP and Asda, it's all very incestuous.

On top of that they run a low NET fuel agreement, and brands will swap fuel between suppliers in the event of low stock levels.

So there is no reason to automatically presume a supermarket fuel is in any way an inferior product, when in most cases it's the same fuel as sold under brand names, and jn most cases from cleaner and better maintained storage.

And I don't use any additives.

I never run my tank low. No worries with crud as plastic tanks dont corrode, but on most modern vehicles the lift pump is in the tank and and uses the fuel as a coolant. Regular running about with a low tank reduces the life of such pumps.

 

[TrevorK]

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-and-fluids/fuel-and-oil-additives/millers-diesel-power-ecomax-500ml-811125.html?istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istFeedId=367c5610-f937-4c81-8609-f84582324cd6&istItemId=rprmi&istBid=t&gclsrc=aw.ds&_%24ja=tsid%3A%7Ccid%3A17372421495%7Cagid%3A%7Ctid%3A%7Ccrid%3A%7Cnw%3Ax%7Crnd%3A12316252052720252189%7Cdvc%3Am%7Cadp%3A%7Cmt%3A%7Cloc%3A9044965&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17383853414&gclid=CjwKCAjw1dLDBhBoEiwAQNRiQYpzZd6-rU_ha9oU2yCL-fscAD2EWxEY5nKHJIY_7KKqOFOjgevp5BoC4GUQAvD_BwE

Millers with Shell/BP/ESSO regular fuel.

 

[Kind of Blue]

I never use additives in fuel, it has all that is necessary. Supermarket fuel is fine, all diesel in tankers is the same but different outlets put in additives to their own taste or not. Supermarkets are very fussy about deliveries and stipulate exactly what is required and supervise refuelling of their underground tanks. They check for contaminant and water. I had the information given to me by a tanker driver.

 

[Dundee_Kev]

Does it make a difference what you use.

I'm not 100% sure it makes much difference. I've seen cars come in with dpf/egr issues that run on "premium" fuels, also see them come in with same faults run on whatever the customer finds to be cheapest. What I do see though, is cars coming in running away happy as larry due to sitting on motorways all the time.

Oh, we also see cars coming in with running faults due to just filling up with supermarket fuel. But they usually are the same customer who's car doesn't start the day after they got an MOT with no advises.....

 

[Lubrown]

I run mine on the expensive stuff more because I believe the hype of keeping the injectors and other bits cleaner (or rather I don’t want to think I’m running risk of fouling them up).

Not sure premium fuels or additives do anything for a DPF - by the time the fuel reaches there it’s burnt beyond all recognition.

Long runs are what you need for DPFs, or rather - no short runs. Diesels perform best when warm and when worked a little. Stop start urban driving of a few miles here and there will kill modern diesels - those with DPF, ERG, SCR and all that compromise stuff. Diesel was never deigned for towns and the way people commute.
With a surprising percentage of private journeys in the UK (using cars, or your t6) are less than a mile. And around three quarters are less than five miles- these journeys are a death sentence for modern diesel engines.

I also see a lot of trades folk and civils people say in their van with the engine idling. Either to keep the air con in summer or heating on in winter. Had BT down our road with three transits idling for most the day. The DPFs in these vehicles that sit idling for hours a day can’t be too healthy either.

 

[Mixersmate]

All fuels are basic, manufactured to required standards only. An additive is then added to make it a 'premium' fuel. I use Sainsburys where I can for the nectar points and buy Millers from Halfords for the additive.

 

[Sasquatch]

Sainsbury's used to be supplied by BP.

Now they use Greenergy, who supply Esso and Texaco, so another "supermarket" brand in name only.

 

[CAB]

Mostly use Costco.

 

[Ali-G]

Always been V-Power for me, won't use anything else.
Probably not quite as important in a rattley diesel van but I didn't put anything other than V-Power diesel in my T6, but now I've got my Golf R it's imperative that I use 99 Ron.

 

[Sasquatch]

Mostly use Costco.

Costco is the exception here.

The other supermarkets get their supply from big name fuel companies, or suppliers to big name fuel companies, so you're indirectly getting Shell, BP, Esso, etc, sold as Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's etc.

Costco does it differently by buying bulk raw fuel supplies from wherever is cheapest that week and then add their own additives to the storage tank at each individual forecourt. Potentially very prone to human error by unqualified minimum wage personnel, or even simple laziness or mischief, and is the one "supermarket" where you genuinely do run the risk of an inferior product.

 

[Hilly64]

I miss my old toyota surf. Would run on anything. Few years back when we had fuel shortages and veg oil was cheap i would regularly run on a mix. Stopped short of recycling chip fat but many on the owners forums did. Seem to remember tax man getting the hump about it lol

 

[Mixersmate]

Shell hasn't produced fuels in the UK since 2011 and the UK heavily relies on diesel imports to keep us going, it would be impossible to say exactly who has manufactured the diesel you fill up with.

 

[Lubrown]

I miss my old toyota surf. Would run on anything. Few years back when we had fuel shortages and veg oil was cheap i would regularly run on a mix. Stopped short of recycling chip fat but many on the owners forums did. Seem to remember tax man getting the hump about it lol

I think most the cabbies round our way mix their own special blend. No way these things would pass at a decent testing station but I guess they have friendly ‘mechanics’ too.

The thick smoke with an ‘interesting’ nose to it seems a giveaway.

 

[Lubrown]

Shell hasn't produced fuels in the UK since 2011 and the UK heavily relies on diesel imports to keep us going, it would be impossible to say exactly who has manufactured the diesel you fill up with.

And much of it probably still contains Russian oil, even though we pretend we don’t buy it.

 

[Linoleum Bonypart]

I mix my own using this

https://amzn.eu/d/0D3ufTU

 

[DXX]

And much of it probably still contains Russian oil, even though we pretend we don’t buy it.

Russian oil refined in India, there’s has been a conveyor belt of tankers running back and forth for years.
But we can sleep well when it’s Indian diesel.

 

[Qnapper]

We use this and have for years with cheapest fuel we could find. Last trip around Italy, France and Spain we where averaging around 38MPG at 62MPH fully loaded.

Get my neighbour to bring 5 Litre bottle across every year from UK. The 500ml bottle gets us around 5/6 tanks full (80lts)

Link:

HYDRA MAXIMUS : Maximise Diesel Power

Diesel Additive Cleaning Diesel Injectors | Fuel Injector Cleaner | Turbo Diesel Cleaner | EGR Valve Cleaner Diesel | 500ml treats 750L ethanol treatment for classic cars

www.hydra-int.com

 

[Kind of Blue]

I think that their is only one refinery that produces diesel in GB, some comes in from the EU. I have little concern as to which country supplies the crude. the present government has no plans to build another diesel producing refinery even though demand is high and causes a reliance on buying a proportion of refined diesel from the EU they announced that recently.

 

[DXX]

Having operated and maintained marine Diesel engines for 46 years if there was a magic fuel additive that reduced fuel consumption, reduced maintenance and increased reliability ships would be using it.
I can categorically say they don’t.
Shake N Vac for neurotic petrol heads.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Having operated and maintained marine Diesel engines for 46 years if there was a magic fuel additive that reduced fuel consumption, reduced maintenance and increased reliability ships would be using it.
I can categorically say they don’t.
Shake N Vac for neurotic petrol heads.

Are you telling me that Shake 'n Vac doesn't put the freshness back?