Supermarket fuel (no not again)!
Discussion
Dalmahoy said:
I can only speak for Scotland and Northern England but would be surprised if it doesn’t apply to every refinery in England also.
I work at the Grangemouth refinery and have done so now for 14 years.
All petrol and diesel for road vehicles that leaves the refinery is exactly the same whatever tanker it goes into.
They all get filled from the same plant through the same pipes and from the same tank.
Looking out the window just now – awaiting filling at the same pump is an Esso tanker, behind it a Morrison tanker and behind that a Shell tanker.
However, once the tankers are full – things change.
The supermarket tankers leave and go straight to the supermarkets and that’s it.
Shell, Esso and BP have depots here on site.
Once their tankers are full – they head to their depots for their ‘extra ingredients’ to get added.
All fuel is refined to the same standard – with the branded fuels receiving the addition of further chemicals.
And that’s it I’m afraid.
Thanks for that - I have often wondered how the oil companies made their fuels different - i.e. put their detergents, etc. into them. Couldn't figure out if it was some arrangement like this or of some of the stuff was dispensed at the pump.I work at the Grangemouth refinery and have done so now for 14 years.
All petrol and diesel for road vehicles that leaves the refinery is exactly the same whatever tanker it goes into.
They all get filled from the same plant through the same pipes and from the same tank.
Looking out the window just now – awaiting filling at the same pump is an Esso tanker, behind it a Morrison tanker and behind that a Shell tanker.
However, once the tankers are full – things change.
The supermarket tankers leave and go straight to the supermarkets and that’s it.
Shell, Esso and BP have depots here on site.
Once their tankers are full – they head to their depots for their ‘extra ingredients’ to get added.
All fuel is refined to the same standard – with the branded fuels receiving the addition of further chemicals.
And that’s it I’m afraid.
Good to know!
I work for a fuel company, depending on hour much allocation we have, we take fuel from ESSO and deliver it to non-ESSO petrol stations as well as all supermarkets except Tesco.
The only 'Supermarket fuel' is Tesco, the rest of them just use whatever fuel their contractors manage to load onto the tanker.
The only 'Supermarket fuel' is Tesco, the rest of them just use whatever fuel their contractors manage to load onto the tanker.
Interesting thread. Not that anyone's said there is, but there's nothing wrong with Tesco standard fuel, I use it all the time. I have previously found V Power will over a few tanks slightly improve the way my car performs (picks up marginally better at lower speeds and seems to idle a tad quieter) and on longer journeys (again only if it's had a few tanks) it will do maybe a couple of mpg more. However I don't think the further mile up the road to Shell is worth it really, only if I'm passing and I need to fill up. I'd say Momentum or what ever Tesco call it now is just as good as V Power, however I now just use the normal stuff as I just don't reap the benefits doing only 6-700 miles a month. I tend to use Tesco or Shell wherever I can. I haven't noticed any difference in the way my car reacts to either companies normal fuel.
Whether the majors actually insert any beneficial additives to their fuels that the supermarkets do not remains to be fully proven. Until a good university study or two proves it, any views are just guesswork.
It is worth noting, however, that supermarket-branded food and drink are rarely as tasty as branded food and drink. Coca Cola, Branston pickle, etc. One could stretch that finding to fuels, and *guess* that supermarket fuel is, on balance, likely to be slightly "less good" than branded fuel from the majors. Again, though, just guesswork.
It is worth noting, however, that supermarket-branded food and drink are rarely as tasty as branded food and drink. Coca Cola, Branston pickle, etc. One could stretch that finding to fuels, and *guess* that supermarket fuel is, on balance, likely to be slightly "less good" than branded fuel from the majors. Again, though, just guesswork.
lamboman100 said:
It is worth noting, however, that supermarket-branded food and drink are rarely as tasty as branded food and drink. Coca Cola, Branston pickle, etc. One could stretch that finding to fuels, and *guess* that supermarket fuel is, on balance, likely to be slightly "less good" than branded fuel from the majors. Again, though, just guesswork.
That is actually a really good way to look at it. TREMAiNE said:
lamboman100 said:
It is worth noting, however, that supermarket-branded food and drink are rarely as tasty as branded food and drink. Coca Cola, Branston pickle, etc. One could stretch that finding to fuels, and *guess* that supermarket fuel is, on balance, likely to be slightly "less good" than branded fuel from the majors. Again, though, just guesswork.
That is actually a really good way to look at it. Riley Blue said:
TREMAiNE said:
lamboman100 said:
It is worth noting, however, that supermarket-branded food and drink are rarely as tasty as branded food and drink. Coca Cola, Branston pickle, etc. One could stretch that finding to fuels, and *guess* that supermarket fuel is, on balance, likely to be slightly "less good" than branded fuel from the majors. Again, though, just guesswork.
That is actually a really good way to look at it. 
Supermaket food and drink are almost always inferior to the best of the branded stuff.
Noone in their right mind thirsts for Lidl cola. Aldi sells Branston pickle because their own can't quite cut the mustard.
For sure, supermarket-branded goods have improved dramatically in the past 5 years. But, on the whole, branded goods are still well ahead. It is why branded products still account for about 60 - 80% of everything we in the UK stick in our gobs
Dalmahoy said:
I can only speak for Scotland and Northern England but would be surprised if it doesn’t apply to every refinery in England also.
I work at the Grangemouth refinery and have done so now for 14 years.
All petrol and diesel for road vehicles that leaves the refinery is exactly the same whatever tanker it goes into.
They all get filled from the same plant through the same pipes and from the same tank.
Looking out the window just now – awaiting filling at the same pump is an Esso tanker, behind it a Morrison tanker and behind that a Shell tanker.
However, once the tankers are full – things change.
The supermarket tankers leave and go straight to the supermarkets and that’s it.
Shell, Esso and BP have depots here on site.
Once their tankers are full – they head to their depots for their ‘extra ingredients’ to get added.
All fuel is refined to the same standard – with the branded fuels receiving the addition of further chemicals.
And that’s it I’m afraid.
This same approach applies to at least two other UK refineries, although the additives are often added outside of the refinery.I work at the Grangemouth refinery and have done so now for 14 years.
All petrol and diesel for road vehicles that leaves the refinery is exactly the same whatever tanker it goes into.
They all get filled from the same plant through the same pipes and from the same tank.
Looking out the window just now – awaiting filling at the same pump is an Esso tanker, behind it a Morrison tanker and behind that a Shell tanker.
However, once the tankers are full – things change.
The supermarket tankers leave and go straight to the supermarkets and that’s it.
Shell, Esso and BP have depots here on site.
Once their tankers are full – they head to their depots for their ‘extra ingredients’ to get added.
All fuel is refined to the same standard – with the branded fuels receiving the addition of further chemicals.
And that’s it I’m afraid.
However, its not necessarily the case that all fuel will come from the same refinery in certain parts of the UK where the various product pipeline systems supply terminals or finished product coastal import terminals are located, there may be several different sources. It is possible for there to be a short-term product quality incident, but it is very very rare and is unlikely to last for more than a very short period of time.
Dalmahoy said:
I can only speak for Scotland and Northern England but would be surprised if it doesn’t apply to every refinery in England also.
I work at the Grangemouth refinery and have done so now for 14 years.
All petrol and diesel for road vehicles that leaves the refinery is exactly the same whatever tanker it goes into.
They all get filled from the same plant through the same pipes and from the same tank.
Looking out the window just now – awaiting filling at the same pump is an Esso tanker, behind it a Morrison tanker and behind that a Shell tanker.
However, once the tankers are full – things change.
The supermarket tankers leave and go straight to the supermarkets and that’s it.
Shell, Esso and BP have depots here on site.
Once their tankers are full – they head to their depots for their ‘extra ingredients’ to get added.
All fuel is refined to the same standard – with the branded fuels receiving the addition of further chemicals.
And that’s it I’m afraid.
interesting, thankyou. Nothing from the dealer today. I can submit proof to them via the All Star fuel account that its 99% been Texaco and esso diesel. Thanks again for the postI work at the Grangemouth refinery and have done so now for 14 years.
All petrol and diesel for road vehicles that leaves the refinery is exactly the same whatever tanker it goes into.
They all get filled from the same plant through the same pipes and from the same tank.
Looking out the window just now – awaiting filling at the same pump is an Esso tanker, behind it a Morrison tanker and behind that a Shell tanker.
However, once the tankers are full – things change.
The supermarket tankers leave and go straight to the supermarkets and that’s it.
Shell, Esso and BP have depots here on site.
Once their tankers are full – they head to their depots for their ‘extra ingredients’ to get added.
All fuel is refined to the same standard – with the branded fuels receiving the addition of further chemicals.
And that’s it I’m afraid.
BFG TERRANO said:
mybrainhurts said:
Can't understand why anybody uses supermarket fuel when Shell or BP make the car run better, for only a penny a litre more.
Oh, and....
???!!!Oh, and....
BFG TERRANO said:
Long story short
Please stand still, you're spoiling my aim.....
Bet you say at this moment in time, too...:aaaargh:
mybrainhurts said:
BFG TERRANO said:
mybrainhurts said:
Can't understand why anybody uses supermarket fuel when Shell or BP make the car run better, for only a penny a litre more.
Oh, and....
???!!!Oh, and....
BFG TERRANO said:
Long story short
Please stand still, you're spoiling my aim.....Bet you say at this moment in time, too...:aaaargh:
KTF said:
Mave said:
I didn't read it that he was 'not to use supermarket fuel' - I read it that the dealer was trying to understand what might have caused the problem with the car. Helps fix the car, and helps improve the design for next time...
Given that all fuel is designed to meet the same standard (which is higher than some other countries that the same car is sold in) then asking what fuel you use is irrelevant - its like asking what air you use in your tyres.If this was such a big issue then you would think that manufacturers would run their test vehicles, company fleet, etc. all on supermarket fuel as that would soon highlight any problems.
Classic example is RX7 FD oil spec. Originally designed using mineral oil which burns when its injected around the tip seals. Using "better" synthetic oil means the oil doesn't burn off (because its got better high temperature stability) but cases a deposit which causes the tip seals to stick and reduce compression.
mybrainhurts said:
Can't understand why anybody uses supermarket fuel when Shell or BP make the car run better, for only a penny a litre more.
Basically, the gains are minimal, and the Shell garage around here is out of my way. Plus my car runs great, just a bit better with Shell. But it isn't enough for me to be overly fussed about it unless I'm passing and need fuel... but as I said it takes a few tanks to notice a difference.sparks_E39 said:
mybrainhurts said:
Can't understand why anybody uses supermarket fuel when Shell or BP make the car run better, for only a penny a litre more.
Basically, the gains are minimal, and the Shell garage around here is out of my way. Plus my car runs great, just a bit better with Shell. But it isn't enough for me to be overly fussed about it unless I'm passing and need fuel... but as I said it takes a few tanks to notice a difference.BFG TERRANO said:
sparks_E39 said:
mybrainhurts said:
Can't understand why anybody uses supermarket fuel when Shell or BP make the car run better, for only a penny a litre more.
Basically, the gains are minimal, and the Shell garage around here is out of my way. Plus my car runs great, just a bit better with Shell. But it isn't enough for me to be overly fussed about it unless I'm passing and need fuel... but as I said it takes a few tanks to notice a difference.If anything your case surely shows its not solely the fuel to blame
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