Supermarket fuel - Is this true?
29-10-2009, 01:34 PM
#1
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Supermarket fuel - Is this true?
A guy I work with drives a Focus ST2, it went in for it's first MOT last week and when he picked it up the mechanic asked him what fuel he used, my mate said Asda and the mechanic said you really shouldn't be using supermarket fuel as it's fuel that's been rejected by Shell, Esso, BP etc and it's ruining your car! I can't believe this is true but thought I'd see if anyone on here had heard the same.
When I had my Cosworth I only ever used Optimax / V-Power but for all my other cars I've always used Sainsbury's. If I had a Focus ST I'd probably stick to V-Power or BP Ultimate but is Supermarket fuel really likely to "ruin" a car like this?
When I had my Cosworth I only ever used Optimax / V-Power but for all my other cars I've always used Sainsbury's. If I had a Focus ST I'd probably stick to V-Power or BP Ultimate but is Supermarket fuel really likely to "ruin" a car like this?
29-10-2009, 01:36 PM
#2
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I use whichever station....sainsbury's i prefer...the fuel lasts longer, then its tesco !as supermarket's go...I dont use Asda fuel...at all!! It doesn't last at all ... as if its been "watered down" i know thats not possible but ya get what i mean!!
x
x
29-10-2009, 01:40 PM
#3
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I use V-power whatever car i own
Simple's
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29-10-2009, 02:06 PM
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29-10-2009, 02:22 PM
#12
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I just look for ther cheapest I can get my hands on, yes if I had a high power turbo car mapped to 99 V power it would be V power.
Used to run my scooby on V power, but as most cars are mapped for nomal 95 whats the fucking point putting v power in?
Used to run my scooby on V power, but as most cars are mapped for nomal 95 whats the fucking point putting v power in?
29-10-2009, 02:27 PM
#15
Advanced PassionFord User
exactly, Standard uk spec cars will run fine on whatever, fuel aging from low turnover is an issue, as are the occasional contamination issues as mentioned above, but they're random.
For Modified engines, running whatever fuel it was mapped on is always a good approach.
For Modified engines, running whatever fuel it was mapped on is always a good approach.
29-10-2009, 02:29 PM
#17
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I work on an oil refinery and at our tanker loading depot, all manor of tankers from different companies, such as morrisons, tesco, sainsburys, esso, jet get loaded up from the same tank they just que up one after the other. the fuel is exactly the same. "reject fuel" 
tell that mechanic to have a word with himself 
tell that mechanic to have a word with himself
29-10-2009, 05:38 PM
#24
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tesco 99 is 95% petrol and 5 % ethanol which is a future eu requirement (2011 ii think) due to enviornmental reasons.its a bio fuel as ethanol is revovered from dairy production.
its called e5 in Ireland and sold at maxol stations....
rob v
29-10-2009, 05:57 PM
#25
exactly, Standard uk spec cars will run fine on whatever, fuel aging from low turnover is an issue, as are the occasional contamination issues as mentioned above, but they're random.
For Modified engines, running whatever fuel it was mapped on is always a good approach.
For Modified engines, running whatever fuel it was mapped on is always a good approach.
obviously the cars that are running higher bhp/litre will benifit from the being "safer" running really hot and high up the rev range with more boost and all that with the higher octane fuels, but for your run of the mill motors, they will run fine on whatever fuel you put into their tanks
it's like telling yur dad that wearing usain bolts trainers will make them run to the shops quicker
for usain bolt i'm sure different trainers make a difference, but for your averge bloke in sports direct, you won't be ale to tell the difference other than your wallet being lighter
29-10-2009, 05:57 PM
#26
Professional Waffler
I always run my A4 on Tesco 99. The S2 always runs on Shell Optimax/V-Power.
I have had bad fuel 3 times from my local Sainsbury's though and won't get fuel there now. Car sounded like it was running on 3 cylinders and was pinking like a goodun.
brimmed the tank with Optimax/V-Power and noticed an instant improvement and by the end of the 2nd tank all the issues were banished. Strange as the 3 times it's happened the symptoms have been the same with a loss of power, car misfiring and pinking under load
I have had bad fuel 3 times from my local Sainsbury's though and won't get fuel there now. Car sounded like it was running on 3 cylinders and was pinking like a goodun.
brimmed the tank with Optimax/V-Power and noticed an instant improvement and by the end of the 2nd tank all the issues were banished. Strange as the 3 times it's happened the symptoms have been the same with a loss of power, car misfiring and pinking under load
29-10-2009, 05:57 PM
#27
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OPTIMAX was 98.6 RON and when it was rebranded it was upgraded to 99 RON.
surely thats because v power is 97 ron and std is 95.
tesco 99 is 95% petrol and 5 % ethanol which is a future eu requirement (2011 ii think) due to enviornmental reasons.its a bio fuel as ethanol is revovered from dairy production.
its called e5 in Ireland and sold at maxol stations....
rob v
tesco 99 is 95% petrol and 5 % ethanol which is a future eu requirement (2011 ii think) due to enviornmental reasons.its a bio fuel as ethanol is revovered from dairy production.
its called e5 in Ireland and sold at maxol stations....
rob v
29-10-2009, 06:07 PM
#28
Advanced PassionFord User
A mechanic also said the said the same to me about supermarket fuels
The other half has a fiesta and it started pinking, we took it to a local mechanic and he also asked what fuel we used and were we got it from ?
We said Morrisons. he tutted and said that they buy fuels with less additives and some use lower RON fuels that whats been sold so he says.
We used some v power for a few months now and the car gets better every time we fill up.
We have stopped using supermarket fuels now and only use Shell and the others
The other half has a fiesta and it started pinking, we took it to a local mechanic and he also asked what fuel we used and were we got it from ?
We said Morrisons. he tutted and said that they buy fuels with less additives and some use lower RON fuels that whats been sold so he says.
We used some v power for a few months now and the car gets better every time we fill up.
We have stopped using supermarket fuels now and only use Shell and the others
29-10-2009, 06:18 PM
#29
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Dojj i know u said most circumstance's but,
Doesn't matter weather the car be mapped or not,
Look at the trial's with 5th gear,
I can't remember exactly but power gain's got stronger with the subaru in question i mean alot aswell just by the fuel used,It didn't need a re map to run better
I know they have what u would call self learning ecu's which adapt like but still i am sure it was a 25hp hike by the end of it Pretty good for just fuel 
Doesn't matter weather the car be mapped or not,
Look at the trial's with 5th gear,
I can't remember exactly but power gain's got stronger with the subaru in question i mean alot aswell just by the fuel used,It didn't need a re map to run better
I know they have what u would call self learning ecu's which adapt like but still i am sure it was a 25hp hike by the end of it
Pretty good for just fuel
29-10-2009, 06:26 PM
#30
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If i use asda diesel in my lt35 by end of 1st tank it hesitates and cuts at 60mph plus (75+ throttle id guess) change to any other and its fine, this has happened on more than 1 occasion
29-10-2009, 06:58 PM
#31
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I found this
Originally Posted by RMI Petrol Retailers Association Technical Consultants
First some background. It used to be the case that all the motor fuel used to conform to the British Standard and the requirement to meet that standard was enshrined in law. This situation no longer applies and it is now unnecessary for a marketed petrol or diesel to meet the full requirements of the European (and British) Standard specification. The fuel must only meet the environmental controls laid down in European and, subsequently, UK legislation. So, technically, a fuel could meet the legal requirements but not be suitable for use in an engine and there is only the legal protection given by the need for the fuel to be fit for purpose under consumer protection legislation, which is far more difficult to prove after the event than the hard analysis of a fuel against detailed specification requirements before it is marketed.
This less secure situation for the consumer is made more uncertain by British and European changes to liquid motor fuel specifications enforcing the incorporation of biofuel components. This has caused a major and ongoing reappraisal of, first, the fuel specifications; secondly, the tests used in those specifications and, thirdly, the limits which will apply in those tests - all necessary to meet fit-for-purpose criteria. Biofuel components are natural materials and their compositions can vary. They too have specifications which are subject to evolution as both the motor and fuels sectors come to terms with biofuel blends. The intention in Europe is that the proportions of biofuels components will increase from the present 5 % to 10 %. With some vehicle handbooks limiting biodiesel blends to 5 %, for example, for sound technical reasons, the quality of motor fuels has never been so uncertain at a time when engines are becoming more sophisticated to meet increasingly stringent exhaust emission legislation.
Three road tankers drive into a refinery distribution terminal and load up with fuel. One has a small amount of quality-boosting additive added. The next has a larger amount of additive added, while the third has a higher performance base fuel again with additive incorporated. Additives and high performance base fuels cost more and give greater protection or performance. That is why some oil companies have produced higher quality fuels which they sell at a premium. Basically the old rules apply. Generally, you get what you pay for, and if fuel is being sold very much cheaper in a particular area then the motorist has to ask himself or the petrol retailer why. Caveat vendor!
This less secure situation for the consumer is made more uncertain by British and European changes to liquid motor fuel specifications enforcing the incorporation of biofuel components. This has caused a major and ongoing reappraisal of, first, the fuel specifications; secondly, the tests used in those specifications and, thirdly, the limits which will apply in those tests - all necessary to meet fit-for-purpose criteria. Biofuel components are natural materials and their compositions can vary. They too have specifications which are subject to evolution as both the motor and fuels sectors come to terms with biofuel blends. The intention in Europe is that the proportions of biofuels components will increase from the present 5 % to 10 %. With some vehicle handbooks limiting biodiesel blends to 5 %, for example, for sound technical reasons, the quality of motor fuels has never been so uncertain at a time when engines are becoming more sophisticated to meet increasingly stringent exhaust emission legislation.
Three road tankers drive into a refinery distribution terminal and load up with fuel. One has a small amount of quality-boosting additive added. The next has a larger amount of additive added, while the third has a higher performance base fuel again with additive incorporated. Additives and high performance base fuels cost more and give greater protection or performance. That is why some oil companies have produced higher quality fuels which they sell at a premium. Basically the old rules apply. Generally, you get what you pay for, and if fuel is being sold very much cheaper in a particular area then the motorist has to ask himself or the petrol retailer why. Caveat vendor!
29-10-2009, 07:53 PM
#34
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This is what taken out of my girlfriends 09 VW Scirocco this morning after it broke down a mile away from the garage after just filling up with Ł48's worth of fuel last night.
The BP by Mcdonalds in Kingswinford.
The BP by Mcdonalds in Kingswinford.
29-10-2009, 07:58 PM
#35
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Sorry i am dumb but don't ask don't find out
29-10-2009, 08:01 PM
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I aint got a clue either mate, it looks like water with rust particles in real life, gotta go meet the manager tomorrow to see whats gonna be done about it!
29-10-2009, 08:11 PM
#39
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
As far as I know Supermarket fuels are of significantly lower quality that proper Oil company fuel. Tesco are known to mix 10% ethanol in to their fuel, which is imported from Brazil. This is why they can sell it cheaper than oil companys, becuase they are selling you less energy. Its also why the oil companys can claim up to XX more miles than standard fuel, becuase their expensive fuels have more energy per unit volume and the engines can compensate for this.
I also am sure that the oil companys get their fuel from a different refinery in the UK than where the super market fuel comes from.
As far as fucking up your car, if its a recent car you've got no problem really appart from clogging you fuel filter more often, as the engines detect knock and adjust the timing accordingly. If you've got an older engine which is turbo'd and mapped on Optimax, your quite likely to have a problem at full boost with supermarket fuels.
Saying that I've been sticking tesco 99 in my RST because its much cheaper than the local BP and Shell is miles away, other wise it would only be V-power. I also know I'm running plenty rich to prevent knock.
My 2c
JAmes.
I also am sure that the oil companys get their fuel from a different refinery in the UK than where the super market fuel comes from.
As far as fucking up your car, if its a recent car you've got no problem really appart from clogging you fuel filter more often, as the engines detect knock and adjust the timing accordingly. If you've got an older engine which is turbo'd and mapped on Optimax, your quite likely to have a problem at full boost with supermarket fuels.
Saying that I've been sticking tesco 99 in my RST because its much cheaper than the local BP and Shell is miles away, other wise it would only be V-power. I also know I'm running plenty rich to prevent knock.
My 2c
JAmes.