I will keep this brief because it is straightforward.
Take any branded diesel fuel. What is the difference between that brand’s standard EN590 diesel and super/premium diesel, for which you pay an extra 8-10p per litre.
1. Higher cetane. Either by adding 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate (2-EHN) cetane improver or using naturally higher cetane base stock.
2. Possibly additional deposit control detergent and lubricant.
That is it. Vehicle owners report additional performance when using “super” diesel due to the improvement in combustion quality from the higher cetane value. 2-EHN is the worldwide recognized and proven standard for raising the cetane value in diesel fuels.
What would your average diesel fuel conditioning additive deliver?
1. Higher cetane. By using a 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate (2-EHN) cetane improver.
2. Lubricity additive.
Higher quality brands may also include the following:
3. Deposit control detergent
4. Water emulsifier
5. Anti-corrosion additive
6. Dispersant and antioxidant to help restore and preserve fuel quality
Other specialist additives can deliver the following:
7. Combustion catalyst enhances combustion quality further and helps keep post-combustion areas clean
8. Cold flow performance (anti wax/gel)
9. Biological contamination removal/prevention (biocide).
So what does this mean?
Virtually all diesel fuel conditioners contain 2-EHN or are 2-EHN based. Even the cheapest, lowest quality 2-EHN-based diesel additives will most likely deliver an improvement. However, we don’t recommend using 2-EHN alone due to its negative effect on fuel lubricity. Ensure any product you use contains an ester fuel lubricant and not fatty acid.
The average price of super/premium diesel is 8 to 10 pence more per litre or £5+ per average diesel tank. A 2-EHN-based conditioner that uses the same or similar performing ingredients and essentially turns standard diesel into premium fuel will cost between 1 and 3 pence per litre.
I hope that clears up the mystery.
