higher grade diesel
- Thread starter stephensm
- Start date
thespringfield
Member
I've mostly used supermarket diesel but when I used BP Ultimate as a one-off and travelled a few hundred miles at about 50mph, I managed to get about 475 miles out of a tank and my tank is the smaller sized one.
On supermarket diesel I get 400 miles of a tank providing I drive frugally. However I'm going to start using BP Ultimate once I need a refill. A new member on here has told me that the premium fuels have a blend of detergents and chemicals that help keep the engine clean and run more efficiently.
More specifically, I think for example BP Ultimate, cleans the injectors and improves the 'spray' flow of fuel being burned. The person I was speaking to seems to get a fair few more miles to the gallon than I do and appears to do the same type of driving as me. So I just ordered a nectar reward card and figure I'll be filling up there from now on.
Also he recommended using a special fuel cleaner treatment, which will apparently do a bit more of a hardcore job with regard to the injectors.
On supermarket diesel I get 400 miles of a tank providing I drive frugally. However I'm going to start using BP Ultimate once I need a refill. A new member on here has told me that the premium fuels have a blend of detergents and chemicals that help keep the engine clean and run more efficiently.
More specifically, I think for example BP Ultimate, cleans the injectors and improves the 'spray' flow of fuel being burned. The person I was speaking to seems to get a fair few more miles to the gallon than I do and appears to do the same type of driving as me. So I just ordered a nectar reward card and figure I'll be filling up there from now on.
Also he recommended using a special fuel cleaner treatment, which will apparently do a bit more of a hardcore job with regard to the injectors.
after 23 years 'dieseling' in over 30 different cars i wouldn't touch supermarket fuel with the preverbial bargepole! Stick to the quality brands such as Shell/BP/ESSO etc. I find the benefits of the likes of Ultimate are less noticable on my A2 than when I had the highly tuned (diesel!) Astra 888 which did benefit with smoother running amongst other improvements.
One of the best ways of keping the engine 'clean' is to make sure the car gets a good run with a variety of roads and speeds every now and again. a good run along the m/way at 'speed'
does wonders for a 'town' car.
One of the best ways of keping the engine 'clean' is to make sure the car gets a good run with a variety of roads and speeds every now and again. a good run along the m/way at 'speed'
does wonders for a 'town' car.
dr_jones
Member
I have to say I think there is an improvement over cheap supermarket fuel. I filled up with BP Ultimate diesel the other day for the first time and it definately makes for a smoother engine, more mpg and slightly more go. I'm so impressed I think I'm going to carry on filling her up with it
humps
A2OC Donor
can't take all their words for granted but which? did a test on different fuels, which I summarised below
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8588
Can't comment on the diesel as I haven't had the experience. But petrol is largely inline with previous experience on different cars and comments from fellow petrol drivers. So there must be some percentage of truth in their diesel test results.
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8588
Can't comment on the diesel as I haven't had the experience. But petrol is largely inline with previous experience on different cars and comments from fellow petrol drivers. So there must be some percentage of truth in their diesel test results.
thespringfield
Member
Well I looked at the info in your link and the research seems to have great weaknesses.
Wouldn't it be fairer to test the fuels on different makes and models of cars instead of different fuels on one specific car? Also we know nothing about the history of the test cars. Perhaps the initial run-in of the BP Ultimate caused extra soot. Maybe the car in question has been poorly serviced or had been using a low grade diesel all of it's driving lifetime prior to the test. Why not do the test on brand new cars?
Not conclusive for me.
hotstuff
A2OC Donor
To share my experience. I have switched from "regular" diesel to Shell V power (Le Mans/Audi winning fuel ). I can say with confidence that the engine runs smoother and there is less evidence of smoke, especially on very cold mornings - the car sleeps outside btw. I have also found that I am able to travel a further 30 - 40 miles on a tankfull (small version) with no alteration to my driving style. The 5 - 6 pence diff in price is worth it in my opinion. I must also add that the car is religiously serviced every 10k and i use a genuine oil filter and the latest spec Castrol 5W30 synthetic oil.
). I can say with confidence that the engine runs smoother and there is less evidence of smoke, especially on very cold mornings - the car sleeps outside btw. I have also found that I am able to travel a further 30 - 40 miles on a tankfull (small version) with no alteration to my driving style. The 5 - 6 pence diff in price is worth it in my opinion. I must also add that the car is religiously serviced every 10k and i use a genuine oil filter and the latest spec Castrol 5W30 synthetic oil.Fuels and accessories!
There is much truth in the adage ‘you get what you pay for’. Or, as the Yorkshire folk say… you don’t get ought for nought (doesn’t have the same impact on the page as when speakin’ t’ local!,.. I’m a Southerner).
I think Hotstuff has got it right. It’s not just about the fuel but the whole mechanics of the car – the whole lot needs to be regularly maintained. It seems rather a waste of money to put high quality fuel in a dirty carboned up engine.
The fuel cleaner mentioned above by thespringfield is ACP that was recommended to me by my village garage – have a look on ebay. Cleaning out the inside of the engine is a job easily done with Ecotek’s PowerBoost – I treated my recently acquired TDi yesterday, the white cloud has thankfully now lifted from the village!
Despite claims to the contrary, supermarket fuels have only the very basic additives. The oil majors’ branded fuels have a lot more additives and detergents in it to keep the inside of the engine cleaner for longer. And, they spend small fortunes on oil R&D – your contribution to their R&D costs is through the small premium price you pay at the pump. Because your engine’s worth it! (apologies to Jennifer Aniston).
Keeping the engine cleaner between services (getting better mpg for your hard earned) can be done by using one of a range of additives. One I have been using for a couple of years now on petrol and diesel engined cars is Cybersizzle (Google it), I’ve been impressed with the fuel consumption on both cars, and the clean state of the engine internals.
Enjoy!
There is much truth in the adage ‘you get what you pay for’. Or, as the Yorkshire folk say… you don’t get ought for nought (doesn’t have the same impact on the page as when speakin’ t’ local!,.. I’m a Southerner).
I think Hotstuff has got it right. It’s not just about the fuel but the whole mechanics of the car – the whole lot needs to be regularly maintained. It seems rather a waste of money to put high quality fuel in a dirty carboned up engine.
The fuel cleaner mentioned above by thespringfield is ACP that was recommended to me by my village garage – have a look on ebay. Cleaning out the inside of the engine is a job easily done with Ecotek’s PowerBoost – I treated my recently acquired TDi yesterday, the white cloud has thankfully now lifted from the village!
Despite claims to the contrary, supermarket fuels have only the very basic additives. The oil majors’ branded fuels have a lot more additives and detergents in it to keep the inside of the engine cleaner for longer. And, they spend small fortunes on oil R&D – your contribution to their R&D costs is through the small premium price you pay at the pump. Because your engine’s worth it! (apologies to Jennifer Aniston).
Keeping the engine cleaner between services (getting better mpg for your hard earned) can be done by using one of a range of additives. One I have been using for a couple of years now on petrol and diesel engined cars is Cybersizzle (Google it), I’ve been impressed with the fuel consumption on both cars, and the clean state of the engine internals.
Enjoy!
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chubbybrown
Member
anyone noticed better MPG with the better weather?
A casual drive today back from topping up showed 71.4 on the DIS
A casual drive today back from topping up showed 71.4 on the DIS
imranshariff
A2OC Donor
hi
yup concur with chubbybrown, mpg is defintely on the up, my DIS got up to 57.2 at one stage, Im actually amazed at the difference of how a couple of degrees difference (5-10C) can make a difference to the mpg. it seems to me that the a2 is particualry sensitive to outside amibeint temperature and also getting the engine to normal operating temperature is crucial for the right mpg.
yup concur with chubbybrown, mpg is defintely on the up, my DIS got up to 57.2 at one stage, Im actually amazed at the difference of how a couple of degrees difference (5-10C) can make a difference to the mpg. it seems to me that the a2 is particualry sensitive to outside amibeint temperature and also getting the engine to normal operating temperature is crucial for the right mpg.
thespringfield
Member
anyone noticed better MPG with the better weather?
A casual drive today back from topping up showed 71.4 on the DIS
That's an impressive figure IMHO.
Currently I am achieving 64 MPG. I was using BP Ultimate but noticed that Shell proclaim that their fuel works well with Audis. Unfortunately I couldn't find V-Power at Inverness pumps so used diesel 'extra'. An informal observation rendered my consensus of the fuel to be that it was more economical with regard to MPG. What's more, it was about the same price as the supermarket offerings and I now get points on my Shell Driver's Club card! Result!
I have recently applied a tin of ACP fuel treatment and have been using 'cybersizzle' tabs. I have a certain degree of faith in the ACP but I'm not 100% sure about the 'cybersizzle'. My feeling is that perhaps they might have more effect on cheap fuel from certain supermarkets.
Anyway, I'm back on the BP Ultimate through no other reason than it was more convenient. I have recently changed my driving style to a more conservative and highly frugal type. I now drive about as slow as I can get away with on the 'A' and 'B' class roads that I normally drive. The same applies to town and city driving and I will generally try and keep the RPM down by using as high a gear as possible. I've cut down on shorter journeys to about 2-3 short journeys per 100-120 miles.
Chubbybrown, have you tried calculating your MPG by yourself? I don't know how the computer can be so accurate. This is how I figure out my mpg:
34 litres diesel. One-quarter tank usage (according to guage) = 120 miles
Full tank mileage 120 x 4 = 480 miles
34 litres converted to gallons = 34 litres / 4.5 = 7.5555556 Gallons
480 miles / 7.5555556 = 64 MPG approx
Alternatively I just use http://www.torquecars.com/tools/uk-mpg-calculator.php
chubbybrown
Member
well the DIS,is only based on 45 miles back from Elgin.
Topped it up in Asda in Elgin and drove back 45-50-55
and a wee spurt on the overtaking lane past Brodie country fayre.
It was as high as 77.8.
It was a warm day 19° in Buckie and Engine was warm with only putting the climate on to chill down and then back off again.
I always Brim to brim fill so I divide the miles by the litres then *4.56=
I've just put two tots of millers in as I found it in the garage again,so will report once I top up again.
Normally I only drive from town to the airport its about 7 miles and not driving daft I can get 55 average,driving thru the gears like a petrol car it can fall to 47,this is at 5'ish in the morning so its cold or dinnertime if Im on backshift.
Car has just been serviced too so this may help its case as well.
I was going to get Shell Petrol but its back upto 99.9 where as Elgin was 96.9
Looking forward to getting cruise fitted to see if it helps or hinders mpg.
Topped it up in Asda in Elgin and drove back 45-50-55
and a wee spurt on the overtaking lane past Brodie country fayre.
It was as high as 77.8.
It was a warm day 19° in Buckie and Engine was warm with only putting the climate on to chill down and then back off again.
I always Brim to brim fill so I divide the miles by the litres then *4.56=
I've just put two tots of millers in as I found it in the garage again,so will report once I top up again.
Normally I only drive from town to the airport its about 7 miles and not driving daft I can get 55 average,driving thru the gears like a petrol car it can fall to 47,this is at 5'ish in the morning so its cold or dinnertime if Im on backshift.
Car has just been serviced too so this may help its case as well.
I was going to get Shell Petrol but its back upto 99.9 where as Elgin was 96.9
Looking forward to getting cruise fitted to see if it helps or hinders mpg.
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dan_b
A2OC Donor
I would also think that, with the 1.4TDi being such a small and efficient engine, it does take a relatively long time to warm up, so in colder weather, this could delay warm up even longer, so you might also see a reduced economy due to that.
Happily warmer weather has returned, so with it our fuel economy should come back up a bit!
Happily warmer weather has returned, so with it our fuel economy should come back up a bit!