Fuel, which is the best?

[Chaka]

I thought I would let you all know about a little experiment I have been conducting on my two diesel cars to try and see if there is any difference in performance/economy depending on which brand I use.

At the moment I drive 476 miles a week using either a Golf 1.9TDI (150Bhp) or a Polo 1.4TDI (75Bhp) mainly on A roads or when I get to Swampyland, dirt tracks.

I have been running this little test since Feb06 and here are the results, all worked out using a calculator miles/fuel and not the onboard Veedub computers.

Tesco City Diesel

Golf - 55.4mpg
Polo - 51.2mpg

Esso Energy Diesel

Golf - 57.7mpg
Polo- 52.3mpg

Shell Diesel Extra

Golf - 58.8mpg
Polo- 53.6mpg


I have checked on the Shell website and they claim that their diesel has the highest level of Cetane (the stuff that makes diesel burn) which could explain the good return on economy.

One note is my Polo sounds like a bus when I used Tesco fuel and I have found that performance is better with either Esso or Shell.

The price of Tesco/Shell/Esso is much the same at the moment though Tesco is giving 5p off a litre if you spend £50 instore. Swings and roundabouts I guess but I think I will be sticking with Shell or Esso because both engines run sweeter and economy is better.

Note. I only used these Brands as they were my local suppliers.

 

[TheHogwartsBEngO]

I'm currently running BP Ultimate Diesel in the Beemer (see what do yous drive thread) and although I have not been as anal as Chaka and calculated the mpg myself, I do consider that my economy has improved. The engine is even quieter than normal and performance is notably improved.

Ultimate diesel again states a high cetane level and is priced at about 3p/l more than BP's regular diesel.

Although I can't quantify - I reckon the improvement in economy does actually pay for the increase cost at the pump tank by tank.

I'm certainly much happier about the sweetness of the engine and reduction in smoke I can see in the rear-view when I boot it from 70-100+ on the A1(m) DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[Bitburger]

.

I'm certainly much happier about the sweetness of the engine and reduction in smoke I can see in the rear-view when I boot it from 70-100+ on the A1(m) DT_Xtremez_14:

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO be careful Tigger don't catch you.

 

[TheHogwartsBEngO]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO be careful Tigger don't catch you.

No fear! The In-car NAGivation system soon starts making annoying squaking sounds until I slow down to a more relaxed pace DT_Xtremez_26:

 

[jpain]

I thought I would let you all know about a little experiment I have been conducting on my two diesel cars to try and see if there is any difference in performance/economy depending on which brand I use.

At the moment I drive 476 miles a week using either a Golf 1.9TDI (150Bhp) or a Polo 1.4TDI (75Bhp) mainly on A roads or when I get to Swampyland, dirt tracks.

I have been running this little test since Feb06 and here are the results, all worked out using a calculator miles/fuel and not the onboard Veedub computers.

Tesco City Diesel

Golf - 55.4mpg
Polo - 51.2mpg

Esso Energy Diesel

Golf - 57.7mpg
Polo- 52.3mpg

Shell Diesel Extra

Golf - 58.8mpg
Polo- 53.6mpg



Note. I only used these Brands as they were my local suppliers.

So what's that work out in 'pence per mile' ?

My cordoba Tdi currently gives about 54mpg on Tesco diesel and with diesel at the Sleaford store at 99.9 per litre gives about 8.5p per mile....is that right ?

 

[TheHogwartsBEngO]

Strangely enough my in-car Nagivation system in my latest car was the same one as fitted to my previous two cars.

It has some annoying habits such as:

squaking and nagging when I go fast until I tell it to shut up (and then it goes all moody and quiet for the rest of the journey)

It requires it's waste-water emptying and tea-tank topping up evry 3rd or 4th mile.

it kindly informs me in a panicked and alarmed tone of voice when a car 3/4 of a mile ahead in another lane has momentarily flashed its brake-lights

it breaths in sharply, grabs the passenger side door handle for dear life and stamps on and imaginary brake pedal in the footwell each time a car changes lane 1/4 mile ahead.

Calls me all sorts of un-repeatable names when I miss a turning whilst its attention is momentarily distracted by signs such as 'shoe sale' or 'big reductions'.

DT_Xtremez_28:

 

[jpain]

I get told do slow down for rabbits, pheasants and other country wildlife....am always happy to oblige by accelerating and running 'em down as a way of saying thanks for pointing them out....DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[Norman the Storeman]

Chaka - If you mix Avtur with OMD-90 at a ratio of 1000-1 you will get a product with identical properties to normal diesel...result!

I knew my Pet Lab course would come in useful one day.

Of course I would not condone misappropiating service equipment for private use.
I am a Stacker after all! (Hello Pot, this is Kettle, you are black, over!)DT_Xtremez_06:

 

[FuntimeSteve]

I'm currently running BP Ultimate Diesel in the Beemer (see what do yous drive thread) and although I have not been as anal as Chaka and calculated the mpg myself, I do consider that my economy has improved. The engine is even quieter than normal and performance is notably improved.

Ultimate diesel again states a high cetane level and is priced at about 3p/l more than BP's regular diesel.

Although I can't quantify - I reckon the improvement in economy does actually pay for the increase cost at the pump tank by tank.

I'm certainly much happier about the sweetness of the engine and reduction in smoke I can see in the rear-view when I boot it from 70-100+ on the A1(m) DT_Xtremez_14:

im a fan of the bp ultimate. the car seems to sport up a lot more, it sounds more sportier and has that extra push when you're going 80+

 

[tommo9999]

I'm quite interested in this subject as I've just ordered my first ever diesel car. Although not an issue here in Germany (Petrol coupons) I will be driving it in UK at some point - it looks like it's worth paying a few pence extra for the decent stuff.

 

[Unkychopchop]

im a fan of the bp ultimate. the car seems to sport up a lot more, it sounds more sportier and has that extra push when you're going 80+

I used to use this stuff but have recently changed to shell V Power diesel, and that has made a noticable change in power/speed compared to bp ultimate but the mpg had dropped slightly.

 

[pie sandwich]

I used to use this stuff but have recently changed to shell V Power diesel, and that has made a noticable change in power/speed compared to bp ultimate but the mpg had dropped slightly.

It does improve performance for the car but it does nowt for the looks of your mong busDT_Xtremez_14:

 

[T55]

With my 1994 TD Cavalier, (so old and embarrassing that my daughter makes me park round the corner when I collect her from school), I get around 47 MPG on Tesco diesel and about 51 MPG on Esso or Shell.

There is a noticeable difference in performance on Esso and particularly on Shell.

I only buy Tesco diesel when my wife gets the 5p a litre off voucher with her shopping. There is no nearby competition to my local Tesco so the thieving gits charge almost what they like. Otherwise I buy Shell on my weekend journey home and it's still cheaper than the home Tesco usual price.

Usually use the standard Shell diesel but am interested in trying Shell V Power diesel in the near future.

Ultimately the easiest way I find to decrease fuel consumption is to tuck myself behind a truck and follow it until either it or I turn off then select another one. Only adds about 20 minutes to my journey time and saves so much fuel.