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Petrol and diesel consumption have never been far from the mainstream news in recent years, with the fluctuation of oil prices affecting drivers around the world. But have you ever considered the advantages of using the more premium version of diesel?
The improved performance benefits of using premium diesel include higher mileage, increased engine life, reduced exhaust emissions, improved cold-start performance, and improved fuel stability.
Using premium diesel in your car can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you want to guarantee that your engine is running optimally and effectively. There are numerous advantages associated with opting for high-quality diesel fuel; users of premium diesel will not only be driving a cleaner vehicle but it can also have great long-term cost benefits too.
In this article, I’ll be discussing the various advantages of choosing premium-grade diesel as well as considering some of the potential drawbacks, helping you to make a more informed decision when it’s time to top up.
What Is Premium Diesel?
Before exploring the benefits of using premium diesel, it’s important to understand exactly what we’re talking about. When topping up your car, you will have noticed there are different pumps at varying price points in forecourts, with standard and premium diesel typically always attracting the highest prices. Premium diesel comes in many different versions, with different oil companies creating their own unique fuels.
Put simply, premium diesel is an advanced form of diesel fuel. It’s formulated with a series of detergents and other specialty additives to provide better performance characteristics than standard diesel for all types of drivers, including those driving long distances on highways or more consistent commuting in town.
What Are The Benefits?
The primary reason for using premium diesel in your car is to improve its performance and economy. But how does premium diesel help your vehicle achieve higher levels of performance?
Improved Fuel Economy
One of the best ways to improve your car’s fuel efficiency is by using premium diesel fuel. This can help to resolve many issues known to reduce efficiency over time: carbon deposits, injector stiction, lost engine power, and poor lubrication.
As a result, regular use of premium diesel fuel in the right engine environment can help you drive further for less money, making it a win-win situation. You get to feel good knowing that you’re helping the environment by driving more efficiently and at the same time, saving money – it’s an easy way to give yourself (and your car) a little extra boost.
Longer Engine Life
The higher-quality ingredients in premium diesel help extend the life of your engine by reducing the buildup of dirt, grime, and deposits. It will also help to reduce wear and tear on your car’s engine, transmission, and other components.
Increasing your vehicle’s life span can help to reduce any costs associated with repairs, maintenance, or even replacements in the long term. So even though you will be paying more each time you top up your tank, you could notice the payoff from the new lease of life it will provide your car with.
What Are The Downsides?
It’s clear that using premium diesel on occasion can be beneficial for the driver, and the life span of the parts in your vehicle. However, there are also some drawbacks to using this type of fuel, which could deter many drivers from reaching for the premium pump.
Cost
The first one is cost. Premium diesel is inherently more expensive than standard versions of the fuel, due to the added chemicals that make it so effective in improving engine performance.
Due to the higher costs associated with supply and production, diesel is already a more expensive commodity than petrol. As such, many drivers of diesel vehicles may be opposed to paying an added premium on top of what is already a costly product.
The Benefits Will Vary Between Cars
Not all cars will respond to premium diesel in the same way. For some, namely high-performance cars, it’s a necessity to use only premium fuels in the engine to keep it running optimally.
However, you may find the positive effect that premium diesel has on more basic models is minimal, and to the average driver, improvements in your car’s performance may not even be noticeable.
What’s more, filling up a brand new car with premium diesel will have very little impact on the performance of its engine since there won’t be any build-up of dirt or grime within its parts. Using premium diesel at the wrong time or in the wrong vehicle will ultimately cost you more money for minimal reward.
Other Considerations
While premium diesel has the power to clean your car’s internal parts, it’s not a fix-all, and it’s more important to maintain good habits to help keep your engine in good shape. There are lots of ways you can look after your diesel engine, and recommended maintenance tips include:
- Keep your engine cool
- Avoid erratic driving – be smooth with the pedals
- Avoid engine idling – not only does it harm your engine, but it’s also illegal in some states
- Don’t ignore the check engine light – stay on top of any necessary repairs
Using premium fuel on occasion whilst also following these recommended tips is the best way to keep your engine running as it should.
The Power of Premium
Premium fuel is designed primarily for use in high-performance cars, but you don’t have to drive the latest supercar to feel the benefits. We now know that reaching for the premier pump can help to flush out your car’s internal parts, helping them to run at optimal levels.
However, if you drive a mid-range diesel vehicle, there is little gain to be had from paying for the superior fuel every time you top up. Experts recommend drivers should look to top up with premium diesel every 1,000 miles or so to flush out any build-up of soot and other dirt, allowing you to enjoy an enhanced driving experience.
References:
RAC Motoring Services
Is diesel actually better for the environment?
U.S. Energy Information Administration
Compare The Market
Auto Express
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