I thought I would share this with everybody. I was talking to a guy from BP the other day and he told me that if you have a new car and are worried about performance, fuel efficiency and the durability of the engine then don't buy low grade petrol. He said that Tescos and Morrisons bought the lowest grade fuel possible and should be avoided. Obviously working for BP he could have been brain washed, what do you think?
Cheap Petrol isn't always best
- Thread starter Tony
- Start date
I wouldn't be suprised if Mr BP was doing his bit for his company there. It's a compelling pitch, but when you consider that supermarkets often offer some of the cheapest fuel prices around, mainstream suppliers such as BP are going to try to dissuade users from buying there. Despite whether it's true or not, you get what you pay for and I have no quarms about buying fuel from either Tesco or Morrisons.
Evidence?
I think when someone states something like that, they have to really back it up with some kind of evidence. The lack of it merely makes it an opinion really, and given who he works for, it would be fair to assume a degree of prejudice against any company that is perhaps a threat.
It's also quite a clever policy. If he is saying that to be greener and cleaner and prolong the life of my car's engine, I should pay for the more expensive fuel, then that costs more. Which means I have to work more to cover the extra cost, which means, for a lot of people, more car journeys, more energy used at work, which means more greenhouse emissions...
If Petrol companies were REALLY concerned about being green, they'd make the better quality fuels the cheapest and offer free conversions to LPG or biofuels for car owners interested and motivated enough to make the change. Yep, it would eat into profits massively, but it's definitely green!
And totally idealistic of course, Capitalism doesn't work that way!
I think when someone states something like that, they have to really back it up with some kind of evidence. The lack of it merely makes it an opinion really, and given who he works for, it would be fair to assume a degree of prejudice against any company that is perhaps a threat.
It's also quite a clever policy. If he is saying that to be greener and cleaner and prolong the life of my car's engine, I should pay for the more expensive fuel, then that costs more. Which means I have to work more to cover the extra cost, which means, for a lot of people, more car journeys, more energy used at work, which means more greenhouse emissions...
If Petrol companies were REALLY concerned about being green, they'd make the better quality fuels the cheapest and offer free conversions to LPG or biofuels for car owners interested and motivated enough to make the change. Yep, it would eat into profits massively, but it's definitely green!
And totally idealistic of course, Capitalism doesn't work that way!
Didn't Top Gear do a piece on this once? I can remember them backing up the theory that supermarket petrol is inferior, (although I assume Tesco don't have their own refinery - yet) the reason I remember it is because Supermarket fuel always used to be a couple of pence cheaper than the big boys but the cheapest petrol near us is a Shell garage.
I also object to the supermarkets making us spend in their shops before we receive petrol at a 'discounted' price. Needless to say, I now neither shop at their stores nor buy their petrol.
I also object to the supermarkets making us spend in their shops before we receive petrol at a 'discounted' price. Needless to say, I now neither shop at their stores nor buy their petrol.
Form the Times - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/features/article4124781.ece
However, I have seen posts on other forums saying that it does make a difference with performance cars. The fuel types have British Standards:
It makes sense to me that some providers will exceed these standards and others will try to exceed them as little as possible to save a few quid. This is only going to make a difference to performance cars, if what I read on the other forum was true.
Did Top Gear mention anything about performance?
Tony
In addition to what Tony posted, I came across this yesterday.
'Super fuels' a waste of money for most cars | This is Money
According to Which "The standard fuels we tested were all up to the job, whether from a major fuel brand or a supermarket."
"There's no conclusive evidence to show that super fuels are better for your car in the long run – so in a time of high oil prices, why would you choose to pay more?"
'Super fuels' a waste of money for most cars | This is Money
According to Which "The standard fuels we tested were all up to the job, whether from a major fuel brand or a supermarket."
"There's no conclusive evidence to show that super fuels are better for your car in the long run – so in a time of high oil prices, why would you choose to pay more?"
I tend to agree that the "super fuels" are probably a waste of money unless you are driving some form of performance car - and I also agree that lower grade fuel is probably not a good idea.
I noticed a huge difference in my old MG Midget when I used BP/Shell as opposed to budget fuels - although it didn't like Esso for some reason.
Of course, with the petrol price war being quite hot at the moment, there is not very much difference in terms of price between the supermarkets and the fuel companies own outlets...
I noticed a huge difference in my old MG Midget when I used BP/Shell as opposed to budget fuels - although it didn't like Esso for some reason.
Of course, with the petrol price war being quite hot at the moment, there is not very much difference in terms of price between the supermarkets and the fuel companies own outlets...
I always use the standard unleaded for my fuel and it is usually a Tesco garage. One of my friends recently told me that their fuel is inferior to other and that I should fill up at non-supermarket garages once in a while. I do this now anyway as even though fuel is getting cheaper my local Tesco is still more expensive than others in the area!
A friend of mine filled up with something called Ultimate - it was late at night and she was tired. It was 7p a litre more than standard fuel. So we are saying that what BP is saying on their site is not true:
BP Ultimate UK - About BP Ultimate (petrol) - Why should I buy BP Ultimate?
BP Ultimate UK - About BP Ultimate (petrol) - Why should I buy BP Ultimate?
They don't make a big thing about the increased mpg so it must be minimal
think I might do a test next week to see what mpg I get with standard and premium.
Will let you know how I get on.
Will let you know how I get on.
If you do have a trial run Scotchlass, let us know how you get on. It will be interesting to note which is the more cost-effective. I fairly certain the cheaper fuel will be... I think the premium fuel is supposedly better for your engine and gives better performances rather than allowing you more MPG.
But I guess we will find out soon enough...
But I guess we will find out soon enough...
Just an update....
I took the opportunity to start my test this week. I was travelling to the Mother-in-laws on Xmas Day. It is about 60 miles each way. I put £10 of cheap unleaded in my tank which filled it to the quarter-tank. I set the mile counter- and I got 72 miles out of it before the red light came on! The petrol was from Tesco and was at 87.9p per litre.
Next week I will try out the super stuff with the same amount to see how it compares..............
I took the opportunity to start my test this week. I was travelling to the Mother-in-laws on Xmas Day. It is about 60 miles each way. I put £10 of cheap unleaded in my tank which filled it to the quarter-tank. I set the mile counter- and I got 72 miles out of it before the red light came on! The petrol was from Tesco and was at 87.9p per litre.
Next week I will try out the super stuff with the same amount to see how it compares..............