Supermarket fuel

Tesla · 15 Jun 2009 at 16:40

When I had the Mondeo 2.0 I did log my mileage for a couple months.

Basically with Tesco 95ron I would get between 300-350miles per tank with my usual driving which is mainly inner-city with the odd bit of motorway.

With the premium fuel I never got 300 miles, let alone over. I ran each for a fair few tanks full.

AFAIK the Mondeo doesn't have a knock sensor so I wasn't hoping for anything other than to cure my curiosity.

[DOD]Asprilla · 15 Jun 2009 at 16:42

Bennie-Mac said:
I would say a 530i would be better economically than a Type R. If someone would just like to confirm this for me?

I get about 27 mpg on a single carriageway / roundabouts and though town centre commute, 15 miles each way in a 530i auto. Only been doing it a week so that's not very accurate.

dale1uk · 15 Jun 2009 at 16:44

Dup said:
The tanks are 50L dry and you should get 10L when the light comes on. I daren't find out how true that is but I got 30 miles in the reseve crawling down the motorway in a jam hoping I wasn't going to run out.

@Para, the comment was aimed at Fox but read way out of contect. Posting at work in a hurry ftl

Yeah the tanks are ment to be 50l but I know how far I pushed it to get 300 miles out of it and when I came to filling it up I only got 42 and a bit litres in. I'll not be trying anytime soon to see how true the stated 50L capacity is

Ringiho · 15 Jun 2009 at 16:44

I can't believe a CTR is so bad on fuel! I am always over 30mpg on my daily commute. Ouch!

On the topic, I tried the higher RON fuel and it made no difference really. Not better MPG, performance seemed the same. Just more expensive for this car. Depends on the engine though I guess.

dale1uk · 15 Jun 2009 at 16:49

Ringiho said:
I can't believe a CTR is so bad on fuel! I am always over 30mpg on my daily commute. Ouch!

On the topic, I tried the higher RON fuel and it made no difference really. Not better MPG, performance seemed the same. Just more expensive for this car. Depends on the engine though I guess.

They can be thirsty but mines just a weekend toy as I have a company van during the week so its worth it

If I had to use it for a daily commute I probably wouldnt of picked it, but if driven normaly I've seen almost 34mpg so if you restrain yourself they're not too bad

Ringiho · 15 Jun 2009 at 16:55

Well that is some good news. I lent my mum the LCR for a few days. She got 40mpg on the motorway most I have managed is 36mpg

Hxc · 15 Jun 2009 at 16:56

I get significantly less MPG on super than I do on normal in the Mini, not that the engine is remotely comparable to your porker

SeatIbiza · 15 Jun 2009 at 16:59

what's teh boxster mapped for? Old man's 911 is mapped for 97+ (super) so I assume the boxster is too.

Odd that you get more out of normal fuel. Have your tried V-power or Tesco 99 as an alternative super?

My RS4 is mapped for 98+ and runs a whole lot better on it but I've never noticed any difference in fuel consumption really...

Siliconslave · 15 Jun 2009 at 17:02

hrm.... annoying there isn't a tescos petrol station anywhere near my commute

sainsburys doesn't seem to give a decent increase over shell standard unleaded- nor does v-power (well maybe 1-2mpg total)

As to why your porka gets a better mpg on supermarket stuff maybe the engine gets along better with the higher bio-fuel content supermarket fuel is supposed to have? or maybe its frying your lambda sensors

Defcon5 · 15 Jun 2009 at 17:11

Maybe it changes the map to a low power one when cheapo fuel is used?

Malt_Vinegar · 15 Jun 2009 at 17:12

I get about 32mpg from my prelude, and over 300 miles every tank (350 sometimes if I do some longer runs). I dont drive like a granny either.

Tank is 60 litres, and I usually drive it to the light. Then fill up. This usually means I put in 50ish litres each time.

edit - Cant say i ever notice a difference between fuel brands??

thecremeegg · 15 Jun 2009 at 17:14

Afraid tis the opposite for me, put in morrisons or asda petrol and my mpg nosedives, quite shockingly in fact

Ste · 15 Jun 2009 at 18:18

Hmmm... similar mpg for me, but the Tesco 99 stuff makes my exhaust pop and bang a lot... so I buy that

miniyazz · 15 Jun 2009 at 18:47

Noticed a couple of posts about not wanting to see how much the tank holds. Is this just because you don't carry a spare few litres in the boot, or because running dry is bad for the engine?
Just curious, personally I don't drain the tank because it's an old car and may have heavy contaminants (e.g. metal filings stuff) at the bottom of the tank, and draining it would increase the chance of those damaging the engine.

Hxc · 15 Jun 2009 at 18:52

miniyazz said:
Just curious, personally I don't drain the tank because it's an old car and may have heavy contaminants (e.g. metal filings stuff) at the bottom of the tank, and draining it would increase the chance of those damaging the engine.

You've got a fuel filter which will stop these getting into the engine.

I don't run mine down because I don't have a functioning fuel gauge. I do 220miles then fill up. Reckon I could do about 280 or so to a 30litreish tank. Depends on how I drive...

OpenToSuggestions · 15 Jun 2009 at 18:57

I don't run mine to empty simply because I don't trust the accuracy of the floating ball in the tank.

The light came on once then went to nearly empty 10 miles later - luckily I found a petrol station just off the a50 at the time.

Also running it almost empty will pull all the crap through out the bottom of the tank, the fuel filter should stop it getting through but then its blocking up the fuel filter. Fuel filters are designed to filter fuel particles and general crap out of fuel, they are not there so you can run it empty

[TW]Fox · 15 Jun 2009 at 18:59

Dup said:
At least I can drive my car like a loon and get the same economy as you driving your 530 to church with your parents once a week.

Ah but on Wednesdays I have choir practice and have to drive it really, really hard to get home in time for my bed time, which is why I get 20mpg.

Amoeba · 15 Jun 2009 at 19:20

So what is the difference between supermarket and 'branded' fuel?

Berger · 15 Jun 2009 at 19:21

mglover070588 said:
I don't run mine to empty simply because I don't trust the accuracy of the floating ball in the tank.

The light came on once then went to nearly empty 10 miles later - luckily I found a petrol station just off the a50 at the time.

Also running it almost empty will pull all the crap through out the bottom of the tank, the fuel filter should stop it getting through but then its blocking up the fuel filter. Fuel filters are designed to filter fuel particles and general crap out of fuel, they are not there so you can run it empty

I have changed several fuel tanks, and never seen "crap" in the bottom of them.

Where would it come from?

[TW]Fox · 15 Jun 2009 at 19:25

Amoeba said:
So what is the difference between supermarket and 'branded' fuel?

By using something like Shell VPower, you make a statement to other motorists. Cruising onto the forecourt and picking the red nozzle shows them you don't accept compromise - you've got a proper car and it needs proper fuel. They'll fear you, because you are just better than them.