Discussion
Has anyone experienced poor mpg with Shell diesel? I’ve always filled up with Shell because there’s plenty of them in my area, however the other week I brimmed my tank with Esso diesel and got 100 miles more to the tank! So as a test I filled the following tank up with Shell and got 100 miles less and yesterday I filled up with Esso and so far it’s doing considerably more mpg than Shell. Performance is identical and I haven’t changed my driving style or the type of roads I travel on.
I’m intrigued if others have had similar experiences.
I’m intrigued if others have had similar experiences.
No, I have mostly used Shell or occasionally Esso or BP. Tesco always makes my car feel sluggish. I have found BP Optimum to be the smoothest, but I have only tried it once, because
a) the nearest fuel station that sells it is an hours drive away, and
b) it was about 12-15ppl dearer
Is there still a difference between summer and winter diesel? Maybe one was more suited to the ambient temperature than the other?
a) the nearest fuel station that sells it is an hours drive away, and
b) it was about 12-15ppl dearer
Is there still a difference between summer and winter diesel? Maybe one was more suited to the ambient temperature than the other?
No tangible difference I can discern from just the brand of fuel, and despite my commute being the same 210 mile trip each way, a slight change in traffic conditions can affect my consumption by 5mpg no matter who's diesel I'm using.
But then I've had as little at 450 from a tank (tanking along on the autobahn to Munich), to as much as 700 to a tank (on the much more sedate cruise across the UK and Belgium)
But then I've had as little at 450 from a tank (tanking along on the autobahn to Munich), to as much as 700 to a tank (on the much more sedate cruise across the UK and Belgium)
How are you measuring fuel consumption? What sort of percentage change does that represent?
I can think of a few factors that could make a small difference.
The chemical composition of diesel changes through the year as suppliers vary the amount of anti waxing agents and so on. That might make a small change to the calorific density. I have no idea how much.
Different filling stations could have nozzles with different sensitivity or different slopes on the forecourt which could mean that you don't always fill to exactly the same level.
Diesel expands with temperature. I think it works out to roughly 1% density change per 10C temperature change, or something of that order. Weather, and how long the fuel has been underground, could alter the density by a percent or so.
Unless the majority of the driving is done under cruise control, it's remarkably easy to influence fuel consumption without realising it.
I can think of a few factors that could make a small difference.
The chemical composition of diesel changes through the year as suppliers vary the amount of anti waxing agents and so on. That might make a small change to the calorific density. I have no idea how much.
Different filling stations could have nozzles with different sensitivity or different slopes on the forecourt which could mean that you don't always fill to exactly the same level.
Diesel expands with temperature. I think it works out to roughly 1% density change per 10C temperature change, or something of that order. Weather, and how long the fuel has been underground, could alter the density by a percent or so.
Unless the majority of the driving is done under cruise control, it's remarkably easy to influence fuel consumption without realising it.
I have to say, I am with many others above that suggest a placebo effect/change in driving as I use all 3 of the main suppliers & never get a difference in range of even 50 miles any time of year or with any other variable.
My mileage is pretty much only 180 mile commute/2 weeks or 70 mile round trip to pick up the G/kids.
My mileage is pretty much only 180 mile commute/2 weeks or 70 mile round trip to pick up the G/kids.
Pica-Pica said:
No, I have mostly used Shell or occasionally Esso or BP. Tesco always makes my car feel sluggish. I have found BP Optimum to be the smoothest, but I have only tried it once, because
a) the nearest fuel station that sells it is an hours drive away, and
b) it was about 12-15ppl dearer
Wife's Tiguan doesn't do a lot of miles and it's always been run on Shell V-Power - it's alleged it does less regens using that, and I didn't want to tempt fate with it's complicated emissions systems!a) the nearest fuel station that sells it is an hours drive away, and
b) it was about 12-15ppl dearer
However the price became unbearable and a year ago we switched to using Costco diesel, with the odd tank of V-Power when the need for fuel didn't co-incide with a Costco trip. I do think the engine is quieter with Costco diesel.
I spreadsheet the fuel vs mileage and it's remarkably consistant full to full - doesn't make any noticeable difference between the two fules, time of year or if the car is on summer or winter tyres. It's very steady around 38MPG (calculated) with the odd better reading if the car has been on a longer than usual trip. Normally the car does about 400 miles and a tank of fuel per month.
Pica-Pica said:
Is there still a difference between summer and winter diesel? Maybe one was more suited to the ambient temperature than the other?
I thought winter diesel went on much later but apparently it stops being sent out on 15th March. So most filling stations would be well through it by now but the OP observations could well have been impacted, although it seems unlikley to the extent experienced.Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff