There likely is a placebo effect and it can be hard not to fall for it, but then it works both ways, if you thinck its all a con you will convince yourself theres no improvement even if there is.

Ive had dozens of engines in bits, just as a hobby DIY thing and see the problems that build up internally over time, thick coating on the backs of valves, piston crown and combustion chamber. One of the worst is gumed up piston rings solid in their grooves. Knowing if premium fuel stops this is the hard bit and I only have circumstantial evedence. This build up can cause pinking and I have got rid of it with premium fuel and it did not return even with standard stuff. I used to do servicing for myself and others and was surprised how clean the spark plugs were using premium fuel, even after 10K. A car that was producing some smoke under load gradually stopped after switching to premium and synthetic oil, it took around 500 miles. It takes tens of thousand of miles for these things to develop, probably 50K or more and any detrimental effect is so slow developing you will not notice.

Is this proof, maybe not but its a good indication to me. Is it worth the cost? Not if you keep a car three years put 35K on it and trade it in, buti if you keep a car 10 years then it likley is and you get part of the cost back in slightly better mileage. I suspect on a new car ever third or forth tank could be enough. And for me I have my £20 in fuel vouchers I say with a slightly smug smile.

Edited by Stanb Sevento on 25/04/2017 at 21:14

I remember a few years ago the price difference between standard and "premium" fuel was 6 pence / litre - at my local Shell the V-Power is now 18 p / l more expensive. Rather underscores my gut feeling (based on repeated trials with no perceptible improvement in mileage or engine response in my own car) that it is all a marketing ploy.

The price differential can vary quite a bit from region to region. Around here (Macclesfield), V-Power and the other premium equivalents from BP, Esso etc are usually 8p per litre more expensive than the standard stuff, which is tolerable.

But a couple of years back I remember filling my bike's tank (luckily only 12 litres) with Esso Super unleaded at a rural filling station in Derbyshire, and that station was charging 30p per litre more than standard 95RON.

I don't really go along with the 'placebo effect', well not in my case anyway. I am cynical enough to recognise marketing and hype when I see it and to look beyond that into what effect any given product will produce. I am certainly no expert on fuel or engines but my daughters car ran far better on Shell fuel then supermarket fuel. Standard fuel that is and the premuium fill up every 6 weeks or so for good measure. It is not a myth or a 'placebo effect' but simply a fact based on actual perception and use of the vehicle in question before and after the use of different fuels. The ultimate price differetial over a long period of motoring was not that significant. Hopefully the hidden benefit of a cleaner engine will ultimately pay dividends anyway. Cheers Concrete

it runs better on Ultimate and v power On any other fuel the engine management light comes on

Isn't that libellous?

I don't think Jeremyhs statement is libelous. It is a simple consumer choice and those are the reasons behind the choice. Different things appeal to different people. There seems to be enough opinion on each side to conclude that the fuel used by most of us, is the fuel they deem suitable for their needs. In my case the premium fuel worked in a VW petrol car and in other cases diesel cars. Some say they detect no discernable difference. That is fine. Do whatever suits you and your vehicle. I think a difinitive answer will elude us unless each type and make of engine is tested with each type and make of fuel. That is clearly not going to happen. But regular servicing and decent fuel have enabled me to put many cars through the six figure mileages without any engine trouble whatsoever. Had I used supermarket fuel and had the same results I will never know. Hey ho. You pays your money........

Cheers Concrete

Good info mark999. Cheers