A top car mechanic has urged petrol and diesel owners to avoid filling up their cars at supermarket petrol stations but the stores have hit back
A leading car mechanic has warned petrol and diesel drivers to steer clear of filling up at supermarket forecourts. Reaz, who boasts 17 years of professional experience and runs his own garage, believes motorists should avoid stations operated by major retailers including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s.
Speaking to GSF Car Parts, he explained that supermarket fuels frequently lack the “necessary detergents” needed to maintain a clean fuel system. The mechanic also advised drivers to alternate between premium and standard fuel when visiting the pumps.
Supermarket
He cautioned that switching between different compounds represents a “simple practice that can extend the life of your vehicle’s engine.” Specialists at Allied Autocare have similarly cautioned that supermarket fuel may be of lower quality compared to products offered by leading brands, , reports the Express.
The motoring experts emphasised that using fuel without additional additives could prove costly “in the long run”. They said: “Retailers like BP, Shell and Esso sometimes put additives into their fuel to help boost the fuel efficiency of your car.
“This means that fuel from supermarkets, without these additives, could be costing you more in the long run. This concoction of additives can improve fuel efficiency and help keep your car engine clean. It could be a case of getting what you pay for.”
Nevertheless, AllStar has dismissed suggestions that supermarket fuel can harm vehicles as nothing more than a “myth”. They revealed: “Supermarket fuel tanker lorries often fill up from the same tanks as branded fuel lorries – so most of the time the fuel they sell is the same, but premium fuel may have different additive packages.”
Tesco asserts that their Momentum 99 solution, available at most petrol stations, does contain a variety of additives to aid vehicles. They stated: “Our Momentum 99 petrol contains a special blend of additives to help keep a car’s fuel system clean and working at its best.
“Additionally, the higher octane level (99 compared to 95 for regular unleaded petrol) gives improved overall engine performance for cars that are able to take advantage of this (generally, sportier models).”
Meanwhile, Asda added: “There is no such thing as ‘supermarket fuel’ – our fuel conforms to the same standards and comes from the same refineries as the branded oil major petrol stations. “We also have a dedicated fleet of tankers to ensure the quality is maintained from the refinery through to the pumps.”
Morrisons and Sainsbury’ reiterated their cost credentials as they stressed motorists were not being ripped off. Morrisons said: “We aim to be competitive with our petrol prices and they do change to ensure we give our customers great value. Prices are not available on our website but are displayed on the totems at your local petrol station.”
Sainsbury’s stated: “We want to ensure our petrol stations remain competitive within their local area, offering customers a fair price wherever they live. We therefore adjust the price at each station using locally gathered pricing information.”