Supermarket Fuel

[dimexi]

I am not saying that Tesco et al have refineries named after them etc. What I am saying is that the fuel from different refineries might have different treatments; maybe the supermarkets go for the cheaper options, at least they have a choice to I guess.

If all fuel batches were the same then shell wont have specific names for theirs, or there would be no difference in studies (re the post about the Audi test).

But you work for BP, and have expertise in this area, whereas my knowledge is limited.

Anyway, my rationale (as I stated earlier) is based on the fact that ASDA did have a problem with adulterated fuel a few years ago, since then, I stick to people who specialise in selling petrol; and not grocery supermarkets who sell petrol as an afterthought

[Paralla]

Fuel contamination is a different issue to fuel quality. The supermarket fuel issue from 2007 looks like a contamination rather than quality might have been the problem. No conclusions were ever published. The fuel wholesaler and the supermarkets all claim there was nothing wrong with the fuel which seems consistent with the tests done on it yet motorists in a specific area undoubtedly suffered similar problems that look to have been fuel related.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6405051.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I fill my car up when it’s almost empty regardless of the brand or the price despite getting a discount at BP Garages. I don't enjoy standing on the forecourt so I do it as infrequently as possible.

[ZephyR]

I'm sure that the situation with supermarket own brand fuel is very much like their own brand foods. Asda, Sainsbury etc. don't have their own cereal, ready meal, tea factories - other companies in these fields make them for them. I recall a visit to a Paxo stuffing plant where during the visit we were told that they also made Tesco's own brand stuffing. Although not said specifically, it was made clear that more of the cheaper ingredients and fillers went in to the Tesco stuffing than Paxo's own brand. Same plant (or refinery) - slightly different recipe designed to be a bit cheaper, and they hope no one will notice.
And what about Tesco's own brand burgers - we now find that they had added horse meat. I think that tells us a lot. Mind you a bit of extra horse power in the fuel might encourage me to start buying it

[suavecolliedog]

I drive a petrol tanker. I've worked on most of the major contracts and have also delivered to Morrisons and Tesco.

Yes, all the fuel comes from the same refineries/terminals but we load the fuel on different account numbers/different product codes. For example Shell fuel has addictive in it but for commercial deliveries which are for transport companies etc we load diesel without addictive which is just bog standard diesel. This is what the supermarkets have except Tesco to my knowledge. I delivered Conoco (Jet) fuel with additive in it to Tesco garages on Monday.

Personally I would only ever use Shell fuel, or Esso if I can't find a Shell garage. All taxi drivers use Shell they will queue up for an hour and wait for you to open the garage rather than go to the supermarket down the road. Also the majority of the time the major brands, especially Shell are competitive on price with the supermarkets.

Also you can tell the difference between v-power and normal fuel although you have to run a few tanks to notice the benefits, it's whether you can justify paying the price difference. Fuelsave unleaded is fine with me.

[dimexi]

Yes, all the fuel comes from the same refineries/terminals but we load the fuel on different account numbers/different product codes. For example Shell fuel has addictive in it but for commercial deliveries which are for transport companies etc we load diesel without addictive which is just bog standard diesel. This is what the supermarkets have except Tesco to my knowledge. I delivered Conoco (Jet) fuel with additive in it to Tesco garages on Monday.

Glad I read this, brilliant post! Always thought that about additives v non additives (re: my previous posts).

I have also heard that of all the supermarket brands, tesco provide the best "quality" (didn't post this earlier though) - what you have said goes a way to confirming that. I will definitely be sticking with what I know on this!
I remember doing a lot of trawling through the internet for this a while back, glad to see all I read isn't bull.

[ZephyR]

Just one thing though. This is the first and only post by suavecolliedog - we know nothing about his pedigree.

[suavecolliedog]

That's because despite owing my scirocco for two years I never come on here. I only come on here to check wheel sizes/offsets for the new wheels I'm about to buy and seen this thread.

[RisingRoc]

Just one thing though. This is the first and only post by suavecolliedog - we know nothing about his pedigree.

[Cuprabob]

Although slightly off topic, it would seem it was not just the supermarkets that were affected by horse meat. Branded company Findus has also been affected. Well known brands can also have issues.

[ZephyR]

That's because despite owing my scirocco for two years I never come on here. I only come on here to check wheel sizes/offsets for the new wheels I'm about to buy and seen this thread.

Your post and advice is still very much appreciated.

[suavecolliedog]

Thanks!

[kenny.c]

Well I can give a differant slant on this topic......Ive worked in the oil industry for many years and currently work for - lets say one of the UKs biggest refineries in the UK in the operation and process side. I can say for a total fact ALL diesel and petrol is produced to the exact same standard regardless of who is buying it....be that Shell - Esso - Asda - Morrisons. Only thing that changes is the diesel is blended slightly differant in the winter to help reduce "waxing" - the RON value for a given petrol product is a absolute minuim.....say 95 RON spec will be at least 95....no refinery wants to supply fuel above RON spec (wasting money) but it can slip a little higer but never lower.

It is correct that a certain carrier can and will blend additives at the road loading facility but this is nothing to do with the refinery producing the fuels.

Myself our Rocco was on Shell to start with just because it was the cheapest....but after our Asda opened the fuel station its been on Asda for over 2 years.....hand on heart....cannot tell the differance what so ever....

The point to take into account which is far more important is using a station which is selling alot of fuel......this prevents the fuel sitting in the storage tanks for long periods of time and decreases the chances of fuel contamination. The last few stories ive heard of fuel problems at filling stations was water in diesel fuel due to storage tank contamination.

Ken

[dimexi]

^^^ Ken, thanks for that. Very good insight as to why fuel could be contaminated sometimes.