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What is the difference between standard and premium (Super) diesel fuel?

by Andy Published on Monday, January 16th, 2017

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 that you pay an extra 8-10p more per litre for?

1. Additional 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate (2-EHN) cetane improver
2. Possibly additional deposit control detergent and lubricant.

That is it. The additional performance reported by vehicle owners when using “super” diesel is the improvement in combustion quality from the higher cetane value through additional 2-EHN. 2-EHN is the worldwide proven and recognized standard for raising the cetane value in diesel fuels.

What would your average diesel fuel conditioning additive deliver?

1. Additional 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate (2-EHN) cetane improver
2. Lubricity additive/friction modifier.

Higher quality brands may also include the following:

3. Deposit control detergent
4. Water demulsifier
5. Anti-corrosion additive
6. Dispersant and antioxidant to help restore and preserve fuel quality
7. Combustion catalyst enhances combustion quality further and helps keep post-combustion areas clean.

Other specialist additives can deliver the following:

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 more benefits and value than premium diesel fuels when added to standard diesel fuel. However, we don’t recommend using 2-EHN on its own due to its negative effect on fuel lubricity.

The average price of super/premium diesel is 8 to 10 pence more per litre or £5+ per average tank of diesel. 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.

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7 thoughts on “What is the difference between standard and premium (Super) diesel fuel?”

Dave says:

December 2, 2017 at 5:24 pm

Who stocks your products arch oil 6400D etc? Where can I get it?

Thanks

Reply
1. Andy says:
  
  December 4, 2017 at 9:38 am
  
  http://www.powerenhancer.co.uk, eBay, Amazon.
  
  Reply
Graham Goodhead says:

September 30, 2017 at 10:36 pm

Hi. could you please advise me how often i can add AR6900 to my fuel. I currently use a branded standard diesel, which i understand is a cheaper, but more beneficial way, than using a premium branded fuel on its own. Thank you.

Reply
1. Andy says:
  
  October 1, 2017 at 11:22 am
  
  It is designed to be used with every tank of fuel.
  
  Reply
Robert says:

January 29, 2017 at 1:41 pm

For some years now I have regularily use additive or diesel conditioner supplied from Powerenhancer and there is a very small improvement in performance, but I have never seen any improvement in MPG my diesel Zafera never varies more than 2mpg winter or summer

Reply
1. Andy says:
  
  January 30, 2017 at 9:31 am
  
  What engine and what product are you using?
  
  Reply
shaun says:

January 27, 2017 at 11:47 pm

I HAVE NOTICED THAT THESE STANDARD DIESEL HAVE POOR QUAILTY MORE WATER CONTENT WHICH IS TAKEN UP WITH THE ALCHOL IN THE FUEL THIS FUEL DAMAGES THE DIESEL ENGINES ,INJECTORS SENSORS ,PAY FOR THE HIGH QUALITY DIESEL V POWER, AS WELL ADDING ARCHOIL FUEL ADDITIVES AND CLEANERS KEEP THE EMISSIONS LOW AND CLEAN ,LOOK AFTER THE ENGINE AND IT SHOULD LOOK AFTER YOU ,MY EMISSIONS ARE THAT LOW THEY HAVE TO HOOK UP THE LEADS SO THE EMISSION TESTER KNOWS ITS TESTING MY CAR ,ARCHOIL PRODUCTS WORK THATS WHY I SELL THEM ….

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