Rav Diesel Fuel Surprise

[anchorman]

I was talking to a friend of mine who runs a Vectra Diesel. I mentioned that my engine had a real diesel knock. I must say that it didn't concern me and I just associated it with a modern common rail diesel.

He mentioned that he had picked up some advice from the Vectra Forum advising what a difference quality diesel makes. I was a bit sceptical about it but the car was nearly empty and I filled up with Shell instead of the usual Morrisons or Tesco.

I cannot believe what a difference it made. It has completely eradicated the diesel knock and it is so much smoother and quieter. The fuel consumption has also gone from 38/39mpg to 42/43mpg. I guess the cetane ratings must be different. Its a bit like putting 2 star petrol in an engine that really requires 4 star.

He says that the best is supposed to be BP but I havent had chance to try it.

All I can say is that if you are using supermarket fuel but have either Shell or BP available locally, wait until you are getting empty and try it. You will be astonished and it is worth paying a few pence more per litre.

Regards

[Andy W]

Same with petrol, my last car was a Mercecdes C class which I always filled up with Sainsbury's or Morrisson's and the mileage on a tankfull was embarrassing. I got chatting to a mate who drives a Civic type R and he told me the difference that he found using the high octane Shell petrol, more expensive but I gave it a whirl and yes it made a huge difference in performance and economy, it amazed me.

[Steve@Aberdeen]

I was talking to a friend of mine who runs a Vectra Diesel. I mentioned that my engine had a real diesel knock. I must say that it didn't concern me and I just associated it with a modern common rail diesel.

He mentioned that he had picked up some advice from the Vectra Forum advising what a difference quality diesel makes. I was a bit sceptical about it but the car was nearly empty and I filled up with Shell instead of the usual Morrisons or Tesco.

I cannot believe what a difference it made. It has completely eradicated the diesel knock and it is so much smoother and quieter. The fuel consumption has also gone from 38/39mpg to 42/43mpg. I guess the cetane ratings must be different. Its a bit like putting 2 star petrol in an engine that really requires 4 star.

He says that the best is supposed to be BP but I havent had chance to try it.

All I can say is that if you are using supermarket fuel but have either Shell or BP available locally, wait until you are getting empty and try it. You will be astonished and it is worth paying a few pence more per litre.

Regards

I tend to buy Shell diesel whenever I can - it's around the cheapest in Aberdeen (89.9 p/l at the moment). BP is several pence dearer for their standard grade. I've thought about trying their Ultimate but that costs even more; once I've settled into a steady driving pattern in my new Rav4, and have a reliable mpg for Shell, I'll probably give the BP-U a go and compare.

I rarely buy supermarket fuel as I'm not often at one in my car and it's not worth the detour to buy fuel.

There aren't many oil refineries in the UK (9 if my memory serves me correctly) - just the one in Scotland (Grangemouth); some supermarkets tanker their fuel across the border but most road fuel in Scotland comes from Grangemouth.

[anchorman]

I was talking to a friend of mine who runs a Vectra Diesel. I mentioned that my engine had a real diesel knock. I must say that it didn't concern me and I just associated it with a modern common rail diesel.

He mentioned that he had picked up some advice from the Vectra Forum advising what a difference quality diesel makes. I was a bit sceptical about it but the car was nearly empty and I filled up with Shell instead of the usual Morrisons or Tesco.

I cannot believe what a difference it made. It has completely eradicated the diesel knock and it is so much smoother and quieter. The fuel consumption has also gone from 38/39mpg to 42/43mpg. I guess the cetane ratings must be different. Its a bit like putting 2 star petrol in an engine that really requires 4 star.

He says that the best is supposed to be BP but I havent had chance to try it.

All I can say is that if you are using supermarket fuel but have either Shell or BP available locally, wait until you are getting empty and try it. You will be astonished and it is worth paying a few pence more per litre.

Regards

I tend to buy Shell diesel whenever I can - it's around the cheapest in Aberdeen (89.9 p/l at the moment). BP is several pence dearer for their standard grade. I've thought about trying their Ultimate but that costs even more; once I've settled into a steady driving pattern in my new Rav4, and have a reliable mpg for Shell, I'll probably give the BP-U a go and compare.

I rarely buy supermarket fuel as I'm not often at one in my car and it's not worth the detour to buy fuel.

There aren't many oil refineries in the UK (9 if my memory serves me correctly) - just the one in Scotland (Grangemouth); some supermarkets tanker their fuel across the border but most road fuel in Scotland comes from Grangemouth.

You are right. You find that all companies use the same terminal to collect fuel but they then add chemicals to create their own formulation. BP Ultimate is supposed to be the best but I cannot get it around here (Derbyshire). I would pay the extra if it is going to give good fuel consumption and give more refined performance. I am trying BP regular this time and will publish my findings.

[redlew]

I always buy the cheapest and haven't had any problems.After all Supermakkets just buy from the same refineries that refine the stuff Shell & BP sell. You pays your money...

[anchorman]

I always buy the cheapest and haven't had any problems.After all Supermakkets just buy from the same refineries that refine the stuff Shell & BP sell. You pays your money...

You seem to have missed the point.

[Steve@Aberdeen]

Just had a three day break with my wife, pottering around Perthshire. 250 miles since filling up (Shell) Tuesday evening and the tank is still showing over half full - the dashboard computer reckons 47.6mpg.

(Pottering means 60-70 on dual carriageways and 30-40 on side roads, with no unduly harsh acceleration.)

My "normal" fuel consumption so far (2500 miles), driving to/from work is around 40mpg - but then, I do tend to be pushing the Rav a bit harder!

[anchorman]

Just had a three day break with my wife, pottering around Perthshire. 250 miles since filling up (Shell) Tuesday evening and the tank is still showing over half full - the dashboard computer reckons 47.6mpg.

(Pottering means 60-70 on dual carriageways and 30-40 on side roads, with no unduly harsh acceleration.)

My "normal" fuel consumption so far (2500 miles), driving to/from work is around 40mpg - but then, I do tend to be pushing the Rav a bit harder!

I am now running on BP Ultimate and it does seem better than the Shell but not such a step change like the Shell made over Morrisons/Tesco. I will probably use Shell unless I pass a garage selling BP at a more competitve price, the garage I filled up at is a bit out of town so may not have the turnover to compete. The engine has never sounded sweeter. I am getting around 43 but haven't had chance to have a decent trip. The car has also only just done over 1000 miles so it might still be a bit tight.

I paid 96.9p a litre for this BP and 90.9 for the shell. I will only ever use supermarket fuel again if I am stuck.

I tend to hammer my RAV on they way to work! Perhaps we should set off a bit earlier!!! :P

[sywy]

I always use Shell anyway. The closest petrol station is a Tesco, but there's also a Shell directly opposite, who are always the same price, occasionally cheaper. Having only just got my first diesel, I didn't know there were different grades. I thought BP Ultimate was a Shell Optimax (Vmax) alternative, which is petrol. Didn't know there was a diesel Ultimate, but then again, I very rarely use a BP station, so would not have seen it.

[Steve@Aberdeen]

I am now running on BP Ultimate and it does seem better than the Shell but not such a step change like the Shell made over Morrisons/Tesco. I will probably use Shell unless I pass a garage selling BP at a more competitve price, the garage I filled up at is a bit out of town so may not have the turnover to compete. The engine has never sounded sweeter. I am getting around 43 but haven't had chance to have a decent trip. The car has also only just done over 1000 miles so it might still be a bit tight.

I paid 96.9p a litre for this BP and 90.9 for the shell. I will only ever use supermarket fuel again if I am stuck.

I tend to hammer my RAV on they way to work! Perhaps we should set off a bit earlier!!! :P

Hammer mine (i.e. 70/80 on dual carriageways, accelerating well when needed/possible, and "brisk" driving on the back roads) and economy drops to around 38mpg - still quite respectable for the size of car. If you're managing 43mpg whilst hammering it, you've got something I haven't :( Perhaps the BP Ultimate really is better - 5mpg be worth up to, say, 9p/l extra.

[anchorman]

Hammer mine (i.e. 70/80 on dual carriageways, accelerating well when needed/possible, and "brisk" driving on the back roads) and economy drops to around 38mpg - still quite respectable for the size of car. If you're managing 43mpg whilst hammering it, you've got something I haven't :( Perhaps the BP Ultimate really is better - 5mpg be worth up to, say, 9p/l extra.

Not quite sure Steve as some of that is poodling between towns with me or wifey driving and some is me racing to work at the last minute (a T180 must go like hell because I could quite easily kill myself in mine!). The 43 is the average of both. It might well be 38 going to work. It is only about 5 miles so probably won't be enough to stabilise the reading if I cancel the computer. I go up one country lane with a bend half way up (about 1:8). The fastest most cars will go up is about 40mph flat out. If I go up in the dark and can see no headlights coming the other way I have to ease off for the bend at 55mph because I chicken out :o

I had the VSC working one day on a bend in the wet where it was safe to do it. It just took the power off and brought the car back in line before letting me have it back. Have you tried it? That is the main reason I went for an XT4.

[Steve@Aberdeen]

Not quite sure Steve as some of that is poodling between towns with me or wifey driving and some is me racing to work at the last minute (a T180 must go like hell because I could quite easily kill myself in mine!). The 43 is the average of both. It might well be 38 going to work. It is only about 5 miles so probably won't be enough to stabilise the reading if I cancel the computer. I go up one country lane with a bend half way up (about 1:8). The fastest most cars will go up is about 40mph flat out. If I go up in the dark and can see no headlights coming the other way I have to ease off for the bend at 55mph because I chicken out :o

I had the VSC working one day on a bend in the wet where it was safe to do it. It just took the power off and brought the car back in line before letting me have it back. Have you tried it? That is the main reason I went for an XT4.

I've not tried playing chicken on the bends yet - I'll wait until I genuinely misjudge one and then report back Not had any chance to test the VSC, either; it's one of those features I don't plan to need, but is there as my parachute should my own skills bail out!