Premium Diesel.

AlanM · 19-01-2023, 12:59 PM

Hi everyone, new to the forum, and fairly new to owning a Mondeo TDCI.

Just wondering if anyone has used premium diesel enough to notice any difference.

The price difference is usually not much, and sometimes, especially recently, my fuel price app is showing premium diesel a fair bit cheaper than regular diesel.
Of course when premium is cheaper or virtually the same it's a no-brainer, but is it worth paying extra for?

Thanks!

roKWiz · 19-01-2023, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanM

Hi everyone, new to the forum, and fairly new to owning a Mondeo TDCI.

Just wondering if anyone has used premium diesel enough to notice any difference.

The price difference is usually not much, and sometimes, especially recently, my fuel price app is showing premium diesel a fair bit cheaper than regular diesel.
Of course when premium is cheaper or virtually the same it's a no-brainer, but is it worth paying extra for?

Thanks!

Still trying to work out what Premium diesel is.

AlanM · 19-01-2023, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Still trying to work out what Premium diesel is.

Yeah, I've read it has a higher cetane rating, which would produce more complete combustion so should be cleaner, possibly more power and/or economy, up to 5% better.

And I've also read it doesn't.

They claim it has additives to clean injectors etc, which it might do.

It generally seems to cost about 2c/litre more from stations that sell ordinary as well as premium, which is only about 1%, so if there's any benefit at all, it's probably worth it.

I haven't owned a diesel for about 25 years, so was wondering if anyone had found any benefit from using premium.

**73 4V XB** · 19-01-2023, 05:35 PM

I was doing 650+ a week, mostly highway driving, and didn’t notice any difference.

roKWiz · 19-01-2023, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanM

Yeah, I've read it has a higher cetane rating, which would produce more complete combustion so should be cleaner, possibly more power and/or economy, up to 5% better.

And I've also read it doesn't.

They claim it has additives to clean injectors etc, which it might do.

It generally seems to cost about 2c/litre more from stations that sell ordinary as well as premium, which is only about 1%, so if there's any benefit at all, it's probably worth it.

I haven't owned a diesel for about 25 years, so was wondering if anyone had found any benefit from using premium.

I reckon its a scam for car drivers using diesel. Most servos selling it have the "Premium" diesel pumps taking up most of the court usually leaving 1 regular (usually Hi Flow) diesel pump in a less obvious spot to find. Can't not see it being cheaper though.

AlanM · 19-01-2023, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

I reckon its a scam for car drivers using diesel. Most servos selling it have the "Premium" diesel pumps taking up most of the court usually leaving 1 regular (usually Hi Flow) diesel pump in a less obvious spot to find. Can't not see it being cheaper though.

I've got the "Fuel map" app, and quite often the premium is cheaper at some service stations. Have to admit I haven't gone and checked though.

AlanM · 19-01-2023, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73 4V XB

I was doing 650+ a week, mostly highway driving, and didn’t notice any difference.

Thanks. I guess I was hoping there would be a little bit of a gain from it.

Franco Cozzo · 19-01-2023, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

I reckon its a scam for car drivers using diesel. Most servos selling it have the "Premium" diesel pumps taking up most of the court usually leaving 1 regular (usually Hi Flow) diesel pump in a less obvious spot to find. Can't not see it being cheaper though.

Yeah Ampol is a killer for this, they have their premium diesel on all the normal pumps and then 'truck diesel' is 2c cheaper which is on the high flow ones cars can't use.

Its a good scam.

Though my TDCI Focus certainly prefers Ampol diesel compared to Shell, maybe just something with my particular car but I get better fuel economy from the diesel from Ampol compared to BP or Shell.

bundybear75 · 19-01-2023, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Yeah Ampol is a killer for this, they have their premium diesel on all the normal pumps and then 'truck diesel' is 2c cheaper which is on the high flow ones cars can't use.

Its a good scam.

Though my TDCI Focus certainly prefers Ampol diesel compared to Shell, maybe just something with my particular car but I get better fuel economy from the diesel from Ampol compared to BP or Shell.

Funny, after 6 or 7 years of 250km a day commute, I found that Caltex (now Ampol) diesel gave the worst economy. BP Ultimate gives best but not convient for me to purchase. Mostly I've used Mobil and Shell and get much of a muchness. The "premium" Mobil fuel has an additive that reduces foaming, so you actually get more in the tank when you fill so it seems like you go further. The other diesels dont quite fill completely due to foaming so less range.

**DFB FGXR6** · 19-01-2023, 07:33 PM

The difference I have noticed is the above-mentioned reduced foaming during the fill, along with a slight reduction in soot deposits on the tailpipe.

prydey · 19-01-2023, 09:24 PM

I use bp ultimate unless not available and the only reason I do is for the supposed additives that make it 'cleaner', so to speak.

Common rail diesels are very expensive when things go wrong, and some of this is caused by excessive carbon build up etc. I'm prepared to pay that bit extra for the sake of a cleaner fuel.

As far as economy goes, I don't notice any difference between other brands or non premium on the few times I have to buy it.

I don't think it's a scam, but I'm not a conspiracy theorist either...

Bossxr8 · 20-01-2023, 11:46 AM

For 2c a litre if it even offers the slightest little advantage somewhere you may as well get it. Would be good if they actually advertised what the benefits are though.

roKWiz · 20-01-2023, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

I use bp ultimate unless not available and the only reason I do is for the supposed additives that make it 'cleaner', so to speak.

Common rail diesels are very expensive when things go wrong, and some of this is caused by excessive carbon build up etc. I'm prepared to pay that bit extra for the sake of a cleaner fuel.

As far as economy goes, I don't notice any difference between other brands or non premium on the few times I have to buy it.

I don't think it's a scam, but I'm not a conspiracy theorist either...

So you bought into marketing right.

prydey · 20-01-2023, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

So you bought into marketing right.

It's about $30/yr extra for me. Is it better for the engine?? I'm prepared to pay the small cost.

20-01-2023, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

I use bp ultimate unless not available and the only reason I do is for the supposed additives that make it 'cleaner', so to speak.

Common rail diesels are very expensive when things go wrong, and some of this is caused by excessive carbon build up etc. I'm prepared to pay that bit extra for the sake of a cleaner fuel.

As far as economy goes, I don't notice any difference between other brands or non premium on the few times I have to buy it.

I don't think it's a scam, but I'm not a conspiracy theorist either...

Totally agree Rob... i only ever run BP Ultimate thru mine.

thebigd · 20-01-2023, 09:22 PM

I drive a company vehicle, and have had a Caltex, and more recently Ampol fuel card for over 25 years. I've driven a million kilometers in this time, and never had an issue with their Petrol / LPG / Diesel fuels.
Since moving to the Diesel MD Mondeo, I've maintained 5.6 L/100 overall, with country trips under 5.
I would add that my wife's car requires premium petrol and drinks BP Ultimate 98 exclusively.
IMO... Ampol and BP are the big two, and the rest follow.
I have purchased both a Honda vehicle and motorbike in the last ten years, and both dealers recommended not use another main stream brand of fuel. Strange that, but have taken their advice.
I believe servicing and buying fuel from a dealer that keeps their tanks clean is an integral part of getting the most out of your fuel investment.

Papug · 25-01-2023, 02:34 AM

You can find good answer to this question in the link below.
https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-adv...sel-fuel-87126

Highlight the link and go to the article.

Papug · 25-01-2023, 02:36 AM

[QUOTE=Papug;6779024]You can find good answer to this question in the link below.
https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-adv...sel-fuel-87126

NZ XR6 · 01-02-2023, 04:40 AM

The Carguide article is correct, you're just paying for an additive.

Since they shut down our only oil refinery in NZ, all of the diesel sold here is imported. Most of it still comes through the existing distribution system, except for the Gull branded fuel which is supplied by Ampol.

The MB runs noticeably better on Gull - quieter and smoother, probably because it is higher cetane. It's good that Gull is usually the cheapest!

Sent from my SM-S906E using Tapatalk

thebigd · 01-02-2023, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

It's good that Gull is usually the cheapest!

Sent from my SM-S906E using Tapatalk

May I ask what you are paying per litre over there ?

AlanM · 02-02-2023, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

The Carguide article is correct, you're just paying for an additive.

Sent from my SM-S906E using Tapatalk

Yes, that does seem to be the case. But using a fuel price app you can generally find "premium" diesel for the same price or a cent or two more than standard diesel, so it's a pretty cheap way to buy the additives.

NZ XR6 · 05-02-2023, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigd

May I ask what you are paying per litre over there ?

It varies, my last fill was $2.06. But we pay road user charges on top of that which is $50 per 1,000 km. At 6 l/100 km, that makes it $2.86.

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bundybear75 · 05-02-2023, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

It varies, my last fill was $2.06. But we pay road user charges on top of that which is $50 per 1,000 km. At 6 l/100 km, that makes it $2.86.

Sent from my SM-S906E using Tapatalk

Ouch... I do over 50,000km per year in my diesel pug. Sounds like the road user tax would kill me ......

I paid 2.079 this morning for BP diesel in Goulburn NSW. 50 litres at an average of 5.43 litres / 100km

NZ XR6 · 05-02-2023, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bundybear75

Ouch... I do over 50,000km per year in my diesel pug. Sounds like the road user tax would kill me ......

I paid 2.079 this morning for BP diesel in Goulburn NSW. 50 litres at an average of 5.43 litres / 100km

We pay much more than you do for fuel, partly because of various taxes and levies, but also because a monopoly supplies fuel in NZ. The one exception is Gull, which has their own terminal and distribution network.

Road user charges make no sense for cars, as they penalise more fuel efficient vehicles.

Sent from my SM-S906E using Tapatalk

AlanM · 05-02-2023, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bundybear75

Ouch... I do over 50,000km per year in my diesel pug. Sounds like the road user tax would kill me ......

I paid 2.079 this morning for BP diesel in Goulburn NSW. 50 litres at an average of 5.43 litres / 100km

It's $1.839 at Mobil Singleton. Premium too.
Filled up a few days back, next fill will probably be Gympie in Qld, where it's $1.89.

I'm really appreciating having an easy 1100 -1200km range. Our last car could only manage about 450. Had less space and (a lot) less performance too. '06 Lancer. On a trip you were pretty much always thinking about the next fuel stop. Probably a bit like driving an EV....