There’s a lot of misinformation on fuels on the internet, it’s true that the base fuel will meet the minimum std, what is often overlooked is that whilst the fuel that goes into a shell tanker is the same as another brand loading at the same terminal, the difference is in the additive packs that are automatically introduced into the tank by means of the shell driver initiating loading, the Esso tanker will have an additive pack to an Esso spec etc etc.
The only real issue with normal petrol is that it doesn't keep due to the ethanol, this means it isn't much good in your lawnmower or your classic car (if it can cope with the Ethanol at all) as the fuel will likely go off before it runs out - Premium fuel will have much less Ethanol (or none) so has a longer shelf life.
Diesel is much more complex as the Bio element usually comes from a FAME base stock and will separate if left for a period (without a decent additive to stop it happening), the other issue with Diesel is that the bio content 7% is measured as an average over a period out of the terminal, this means that the % of bio can be variable depending on where you buy it & how much they pay for it.
I would & do use supermarket fuel in the petrol car and my bikes but only generally use Branded fuel in the Van which is Diesel as the Brands sell fuels as their main business so you generally get a reasonable quality, the supermarkets have a fuel sideline and buy on price so you take a chance and diesel engines are expensive to repair.
There’s always someone who has done starship miles on cooking oil and pisses in their adblue tank & if thats your bag then fine but I prefer to spend a few more pence and know what I’m getting.
By the way, I hear Costco fuels are good quality.
The only real issue with normal petrol is that it doesn't keep due to the ethanol, this means it isn't much good in your lawnmower or your classic car (if it can cope with the Ethanol at all) as the fuel will likely go off before it runs out - Premium fuel will have much less Ethanol (or none) so has a longer shelf life.
Diesel is much more complex as the Bio element usually comes from a FAME base stock and will separate if left for a period (without a decent additive to stop it happening), the other issue with Diesel is that the bio content 7% is measured as an average over a period out of the terminal, this means that the % of bio can be variable depending on where you buy it & how much they pay for it.
I would & do use supermarket fuel in the petrol car and my bikes but only generally use Branded fuel in the Van which is Diesel as the Brands sell fuels as their main business so you generally get a reasonable quality, the supermarkets have a fuel sideline and buy on price so you take a chance and diesel engines are expensive to repair.
There’s always someone who has done starship miles on cooking oil and pisses in their adblue tank & if thats your bag then fine but I prefer to spend a few more pence and know what I’m getting.
By the way, I hear Costco fuels are good quality.
