Is there any difference between Shell, Caltex, BP, Budget, Mobil, etc?
I find budget is very cheap, hence a bit afraid to try.
Are There Any Differences Between Petrol Providers?
[Deactivated] on 22/01/2017 - 18:44
Last edited 22/01/2017 - 19:30 by 1 other user
Last edited 22/01/2017 - 19:30 by 1 other user
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Da (profanity) is a budget…
xie xie, terimah kasih, ariigaatoo gozayomas, cheersziez hopefully that makes its way to Victoria…
Back in the days OptiMax was better than BP in the car.
Only a few of them refine their own fuels these days so others either import from Singapore or buy from Mobil in Vic etc.
You get just as high from any of them.
You'll find most fuel retailers have additives in their fuels, it's mainly Costco and BP that loudly beat their drums about it.
Absolutely…
that said, 95 and 98 octane fuels have lower sulphur content than 91, and likely higher concentration of detergents to compensate…
The question depends on where you are. There is only one import terminal for Adelaide so all 91 unleaded is the same for every retailer. Other states have more than one importer and also refineries.
There may be differences in additives to premium fuel, but each company claims to have special additives to give you better fuel economy, more power, and a cleaner engine. There is no clear objective testing done between the products of these companies, so we rely on whatever sewerage comes out of the marketing department. For all we know they could all be using the same Magic Additive.
People claim to see differences in fuel economy and 'feel' more power between certain fuels, but unless someone else filled the car and didn't tell you which fuel is being used, it's extremely likely any differences are due to the placebo effect.
Is it likely that the cheaper petrol is "dirty"?
No.
It depends on your car too. Mine runs really rough if I use e10 in it (out last one did as well). Seems to run the best on Shell or Caltex and gets the best mileage using 98. I filled up at a 7/11 a few months back (Mobil)and it didn't like that at all. Maybe my car is just a princess?
You get the best mileage from 98, but does it still cost more?
Yes it does. :)
But I don't mind as the car seems to run smoother as well. :)What sort of car? It could be a placebo effect. I think I have a reasonable mechanical ability, and can generally feel when a tyre is low for example, or there is a different noise coming from somewhere, and can do my own mechanical work. but I've never been able to determine any difference in how a car performs based on a different type of fuel. Calculating consumption is as close as I can get to a difference, and the extra cost never made up for the increased mileage.
3 different cars actually, 2 magnas and a Mazda 3, I can usually tell what fuel is in the tank by how they run. Though we haven't put any E10 in the Mazda, I can tell when it's got 91 in it.:)
@EightImmortals: Some modern cars will adjust the spark advance to suit higher octane fuels. Thats why you can feel the difference. If your car is not designed/compatible with E10 - Don't run it.
I worked for one of the majors at the refinery and can tell you this much: BP, Mobil(7Eleven) and Caltex share the same tank at the refinery and the terminal. For premium 98 they all add their own special sauce (cleaning agents etc) when the tanker fills up at the terminal, but the base 98 fuel comes out of the same tank. Same with 91 and 95. Can't talk for E10 or Diesel.
99% of "issues" people claim to have are due to the individual servos they fill up at, dirty underground tanks etc. If you have issues with a particular brand, try a different servo of the same brand.
This is also handy for the difference between 91/98 etc. (UK has different fuel supply obviously….) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTaBngvsPrc
That is true about the individual service stations, the product will leave the refinery/terminal tanks in it's correct spec. From there it is up to the truck and service station to keep it that way. Do you trust them not to contaminate?
Share a tank? No,each city/state is different.
I would not touch anything under 95 and i dont trust those companies who run solely on import fuel. Plus i like to support those who refine here and employ the most aussies.Sorry i was talking about VIC only.
I don't trust those companies who run solely on import fuel
They all import, even the ones with refineries here. Local production is simply not enough to keep up with demand.
True however those refineries that import have the capability to correct the imported fuel not waiver the import because it isn't what it is meant to be and they can't do anything about it.
@Flip:
Refineries don't import fuel. They import crude from all over the world and refine it to fuel.We import fuel largely from Singapore to bulk depots and often it won't go near a refinery, nor should it. If they quality isn't up to scratch it doesn't make it on to the boat in Singapore.
@Flip:
I think you're misunderstanding what I said.Fuel that comes off the ship from Singapore doesn't go to a refinery. It gets pumped off a ship to a bulk terminal, which is essentially just tanks and a loading bay for trucks. Imported fuel doesn't get re-refined or "corrected" as you said above.
We are in agreement that imports are needed to keep up with demand.
@Skramit:
Ok, now i feel bad for the original poster with all this confusion.
I still say stick with those companies that have australian refineries.@fm:
You are asking on OzBargain, so the answer is to check the engine specs. and buy the cheapest petrol that meats the minimum RON spec.
In our car, that would be 95 fuel and usually the cheapest source is the local Metro. I think they sell Mobil fuel.
@peteru:
True, if you care about your car (for longevity purposes) then follow peteru comment otherwise you might as well get the cheapest possible. They all have to follow spec's.List of Refineries In Australia Source
Victoria
Geelong - Vitol
Altona - Exxon MobilQueensland
Lytton - CaltexWA
Kwinana - BPI still say stick with those companies that have australian refineries.
Just because say BP has a refinery in WA doesn't mean the petrol I buy in Victoria is coming from that refinery. It's going to come from the Altona Mobil Exxon refinery and/or imported.
Shell (Coles) doesn't have a refinery, so I shouldn't buy from them?
Yet Vitol supplies Shell.@Baysew:
You can buy from whoever you like. If you want the cheapest then get it. Each city is different with regards to who shares fuel. In a perfect world even the cheapest fuel should be just fine.
Would i buy cheap fuel from an independent who gets his fuel from ???. No. I dont trust them and their specs. I dont trust the ships, their tanks and procedures of waterdrawing and testing of the fuel.
Maybe im just untrusting and wasting my money? A bad ozbargainer?
In relation to budget petrol stations, make sure you keep your receipts. In the unlikely event of a dodgy petrol station owner that dilutes their fuel… you will have recourse and can make a claim for any engine damage via your state's consumer affairs dept. Of course, it needs to be proven.
The following article in the Herald might be helpful. http://www.drive.com.au/fuel-and-oil/how-do-i-remedy-contami…
Theres no difference between the fuel at different stations because they all get it from basically the same supplier. The biggest difference between suppliers and stations is the infrastructure. An old petrol station that has not been maintained may have fuel reseviours underground that have water or other gunk getting into them and therefore into your car. Unfortunately theres no way of telling which stations are good and which arent.
No significant difference. All fuel will meet the minimum requirements. Only placebo effect from a higher price.