It's a mixed bunch, but this can go out of the Unicorn Corral, as it can work.
VAB - Studies - Studies
Total Excellium Diesel was shown to reduce FC by 3% (-3.27 %) over Shell V-power (the 0% change shows it as the reference fuel) which in turn is 1% better than the regular Shell diesel.
(Though 1% is also the fault on the test procedure.)
In Germany, Aral Ultimate Diesel is more energy efficient because it doesn't contain biodiesel, thus has more energy stored in it.
The downside is they all charge so much for the
improved fuel, it's not worth the extra expense as you won't nearly get it back in improved FE.
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Originally Posted by Piwoslaw
[*]Can a fuel help reduce consumption?
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Yes, they can
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And if it is just better quality, then does this mean that Shell has been giving us lower-grade fuel, yet advertising it as "Highest quality, premium, etc."?
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Fuels are regulated.
What they sold complied with the requirements.
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[*]How much can it actually increase FE without help from anything else (changing driving style). Is Shell just counting on the placebo effect?
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Apparently for the test above :
shell : 1% improvement
Total : 3% improvement
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[*]Is a 1-3% decrease in fuel consumption worth the 5-10% higher price? (I'm just guessing, I don't know the exact numbers.)
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You're close enough !
So no, the increased fuel economy does not cancel out the increased price.
It might be an idea for someone who wants to set a FE record, as you could get an extra 3 or 4 % depending on what fuel you use regularly.