Fuel prices

Information and questions about driving in Andalucia, buying or importing cars and motorbikes plus legal issues surrounding taxes and licenses.
olive
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Fuel prices

Postby olive » Tue Sep 04, 2018 10:55 am

I notice huge variations on my travels.

Our local area always enjoys low prices. I think this is down to being a rural area with low price fuel at the farming co ops. On top of this there are what I call low price operations. Not affiliated to a national chain and non attended service , pay by card.

The Repsol today is 1.239 for diesel. Low price outlet near Lidl is 1.15 but gives further discount to locals. Another place has just opened near the hospital and it is 1.139 but a further 5 cents a litre off if you buy more than 20 litres.

I asked the “ non attendant” about the quality of the fuel I was putting in my campo vehicle. Her response... it is exactly the same fuel as Repsol but no additives! :lol:

It isnt something I will readily repeat especially with Repsol being so cheap compared to say Granada Repsol.

Anyone use this cheap fuel with no apparent ill effects? By the same token does anyone put in the quality diesel instead of the normal when they find a cheaper outlet? Any value in doing that periodically on a diesel?

TorreDelAguila
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby TorreDelAguila » Tue Sep 04, 2018 11:44 am

At the other end of the price scale, the two Repsol filling stations on the coastal A7 at Algarrobo have it at €1.309 for standard diesel.
Cheap diesel can be had round here for €1.205, if you go looking.

Beware running a diesel car exclusively on cheap/budget fuel. Your contact was correct, the cheap stuff is lacking in the additives you find in good quality fuel. These additives lubricate moving parts (less wear on fuel pump and injectors), ensure a more complete burn of the fuel (less smoke and particulates), and release more power from the fuel (allowing you to drop a gear less often, or to enjoy slightly better fuel consumption). You normally also see a quieter and more smooth-running engine, which will pull strongly from low revs. Not all cars show up the differences in performance, but the other considerations still apply.

Diesel specialists generally recommend using at least one tankful of good quality (with no need for the top-price stuff) fuel every four tanks of budget. Either that, or use Wynn's Diesel Fuel Treatment, or Millers Diesel Power Plus, or '3CV' Diesel Additive. All these are essentially the same, and contain the additives that budget fuel depots leave out. The three listed actually work; the first and last are available here in Spain.

Budget fuel, and lots of slow pottering around, is not a good idea just before an ITV (emissions) test.
Chris

olive
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby olive » Tue Sep 04, 2018 12:27 pm

Ah the Italian tuneup!

What about using the higher quality Diesel at say Repsol periodically instead of their effitec plus?

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gerryh
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby gerryh » Tue Sep 04, 2018 12:36 pm

Does the same apply to petrol?
I notice some cheaper petrol around but does it have similar adverse effects on the engine etc.?
Currently I only use Cepsa 95 petrol
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Gerry
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby Devils Advocate » Tue Sep 04, 2018 12:51 pm

A good tank full of Vpower Gerry and I can almost guarantee you'd tell a difference in performance when it's got around the fuel system.
We use only VPower on all our cars, whether it is diesel or petrol.
As Chris says this fuel does burn leaner and cleaner, just the oil changes tend to support this.

I think it's a well known fact the premium fuels are not snake oil.
I also firmly believe the few extra coppers paid at the pumps is part paid back with a better mpg.

I'm saying Vpower,as it's what I buy here, However in Europe and Spain last year I used both Repsol and BP premium grades with no obvious side effects.
Property owner in Andalucia since 2002. How time flies.

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peteroldracer
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby peteroldracer » Tue Sep 04, 2018 1:02 pm

I use SinPlomo95 from Carrefour filling stations. It is Repsol petrol, and with my socio card I get 8% discount, added to my Club balance so redeemable for shopping in the supermarket. Having a Hybrid I also save in my pocket and help the environment.
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ashtondav
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby ashtondav » Tue Sep 04, 2018 5:24 pm


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country boy
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby country boy » Tue Sep 04, 2018 6:25 pm

I use BP Ultimate Diesel in my 2.5 Range Rover Tdi. I definitely get considerably more mileage, the engine runs more smoothly and the whole rig has more "guts"
I been comparing this same system for 25 years now from new , on and off, and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind it is worth the extra. I have the same engine, the head has never been off and the injectors and glo plugs likewise. Totally convinced..... and I am a tight Yorkshireman!
I even tried mixing it 50/50 with the cheap stuff but you can still tell the difference.

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Re: Fuel prices

Postby El Cid » Tue Sep 04, 2018 7:14 pm

Apparently, the Spanish government is about to increase the tax on diesel. Looks like the best bet will be the cheap stuff!

Prolonging the engine life by buying expensive fuel is probably a waste of money as they will all be off the road well before they wear out!

Sid

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Re: Fuel prices

Postby TorreDelAguila » Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:33 pm

It's not just about engine (component) life, Sid, but about driveability. The better quality fuel just makes many diesel engines smoother, quieter and provides more torque. That last can translate into less need to be heavy right footed, and make driving more relaxed and economical.
Last edited by TorreDelAguila on Wed Sep 05, 2018 7:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
Chris

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Re: Fuel prices

Postby Lyric » Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:55 pm

Apparently, the Spanish government is about to increase the tax on diesel
I figure that will have to be a careful decision, are not 80% or so of cars on the road oil burners, that's a lot to alienate.

El Cid
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby El Cid » Tue Sep 04, 2018 10:38 pm

The rise is to discourage the sale of new diesel cars. It’s now over 60% petrol in Spain and rising every year very significantly.

Many manufacturers are dropping them completely such as Toyota who will stop making them this year. Even SEAT have removed the diesel option on some of its range.

I know that electric cars are being encouraged, but I just wonder how you will be able to recharge them on a 5kw supply!

Sid

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Re: Fuel prices

Postby wollie » Wed Sep 05, 2018 4:47 am

I sat next to a guy on a flight recently who was technical manager for fork-lift company.
Basically i was saying to him it be impossible to switch heavy goods from diesel.
He said it now possible to have HGV that can run for 18 hours and recharge in 15 mins.
He was with his wife/child so it was not lengthy conversation...

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costakid
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby costakid » Wed Sep 05, 2018 8:16 am

Thats actually slightly incorrect. Tesla have pulled out of the electric truck market. The only electric truck on the market is an independently built refuse cart. They will work a 10 hour shift and compact all day but are out of juice at the end of the shift.The order book is full for this company but only really good for city work. The technology is moving very fast though. The new way forward will be solar panels on the roof.

olive
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby olive » Wed Sep 05, 2018 8:26 am

I think it is a racing certainty that diesel will be taxed more.

There are still polution issues in major cities. We see the huge pall over Granada city.


While prices are at there current low, I will give them Ultimate a try.

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Wicksey
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby Wicksey » Wed Sep 05, 2018 10:40 am

From what I've read the new diesel engines are no worse than and older petrol. I much prefer diesel and if we change our car we were going to buy a new diesel rather than petrol. Diesel in Spain is still far cheaper than petrol but we'll have to see if that changes. I've just rented a petrol car and to refill it was almost 10c a litre more than the diesel price.

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Re: Fuel prices

Postby Pamela1 » Wed Sep 05, 2018 1:25 pm

We have always bought diesel cars and my hubby and son use diesel vans for their business.We dont live in a built up city area and don't just travel a few miles here and there so in the long run diesel works out cheaper. I always get around 550 -600 miles out of my golf.tank.

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Re: Fuel prices

Postby wollie » Wed Sep 05, 2018 4:06 pm

costakid.
I am pretty well of the same opinion as you but this is what this guy said to me, he seemed to know his stuff as they do all the Tesco, Asda and the big stores fork-lift work, he said he had being mechanic/techniciaan and progressed to management.
The reason i posted at all i thought i get more information from the experts here, personally i cannot see how HGV can be replaced so interested in this topic....

pensure1988
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby pensure1988 » Thu Sep 06, 2018 7:52 pm

Hi

Anybody interested, here is a good website tp compare local fuel prices.


https://www.fuelflash.eu/en/?land=es&su ... rung=preis


David

TorreDelAguila
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Re: Fuel prices

Postby TorreDelAguila » Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:06 pm

That's a really useful and slick site, David.
I've bookmarked it.

Repsol has hit €1.319 at J.277 today, but €1.28 away from the autovia.
Chris


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