I will keep this brief because it is very simple.
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 deposit control detergent.
2. Additional 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate (2-EHN) cetane improver.
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 the use of additional 2-EHN. 2-EHN is the worldwide proven and recognised standard for raising the cetane value in diesel fuels.
What would your average diesel fuel conditioning additive deliver?
1. Additional deposit control detergent (ideally DW10 tested)
2. Additional 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate (2-EHN) cetane improver
3. Lubricity additive / friction modifier.
Higher quality brands may also include the following:
4. Water demulsifier
5. Anti corrosion additive
6. Dispersant and antioxidant to help restore and preserve fuel quality
7. Combustion catalyst to enhance combustion quality further and help 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. When added to standard diesel fuel even the cheapest, lowest quality 2-EHN based diesel additives will most likely deliver greater benefits and value than premium diesel fuels.
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 4 pence per litre.
I hope that clears up the mystery.
