Petrol Quality

[sunny-dave]

We've had this before, but a recent bad experience with a tankful of Tesco petrol in the bike (poor performance, misfiring, generally not happy - all solved with the next tankful of Shell) made me wonder what other ABers are finding at the moment?

[sunny-dave]

I think that may be an american link (judging from 'gas' and 'truck' and 'midgrade') ?

[DTCwordfan]

I only buy Shell or Chevron and I worked in the fuel and lubs business,

When they load gasoline (petrol) at the loading racks in the depot, they also add some additives to enhance the gasoline - in Tesco's case they are minimal and, in Shell and Chevron's, they add the most detergent (called an over-treat).

I have seen the results of engines run on supermarket fuel and other low detergent brands and you quickly get a thick carbon coating that looks like nicotine around the valves and piston rings........this is what Shell and Chevron target.

In the USA Shell and Chevron are claiming 5% fuel economy over competition that has low detergent and in fact it is much higher....(results can exceed 10%). I guess here in the UK they are chicken as to challenging others counterclaims and the ad monitoring..........

One more hidden thing too - lubricants. A change recommended by your car manufacturer as to mileage or say once a year can help fuel economy quite significantly. As the lub deteriorates (the lub oil hydrocarbon chains breaking up and their additive packages wearing out), this can mean 10% cuts in consumption.....so a regular service is recommended. We can advise here on lub as well.

[Andyvon]

Hi Dave,

I filled up at Tesco last week, then the car died after just 16 miles! I was cruising at 60mph when it just cut dead. I knew it was muck in the carburettor as dying like that is the symptom but I couldn't clear it beside the road nor could the RAC man. I had to get the RAC to bring me home then I had to strip and clean the carb. properly before it was OK. I suspect it causes the float to stick. I was sure it was Tesco's fuel as I'd only done 16 miles. I'm sure the last time it happened a couple of years ago was on Tesco fuel too. Think I'll avoid Tesco's from now on.

[DTCwordfan]

Deggers is incorrect. Though some adds are generic, wit friction modifiers, Shell and Chevron have their own proprietary detergent packages, made for them and their exclusive use under licence and stringent IP (intellectual property) agreements by the adcos, Shell part owning Infineum and Chevron with Oronite. Same with lubricants as well.

[Hopkirk]

I almost always use Tesco petrol.

No problems experienced.

[Old_Geezer]

I know I'm using diesel rather than petrol but I experience no noticable difference between supermarket fuel and the diesel from the Shell station I pop into occassionally. Furthermore I tried a few fills of the expensive premium stuff recently and noted no real difference, the mpg actually went down fractionally, within the noise level true, but down nevertheless.

[heathfield]

Like OG's experience, I tried the Shell super diesel for a couple of tank fills. No mileage difference, but I did find a slightly better pull away at lower revs. Not worth the extre cost, so I'm back to what Morrisons are supplying - they're the cheapest round my way.

[Toureman]

Good answer deggers, it's all a myth that supermarket petrol is no good!

I have used tescos for years for my car, my motorbike, and my wifes carand never had a problem, its all in themind.

Just because BMW have built a crap engine does not change anything

[deggers316]

and for 10 years or more i have used all the major supermarkets fuel no problems at all,
as it says the fuel in that pump you use has ISO number which means it meets requirements for sale in the uk

[EDDIE51]

Very little choice around here , there used to be 7 petrol stations now there is just 1 Tesco !