The £10 Illusion at the Pump
We’ve all been there ; standing at the petrol station, finger hovering over the green handle, eyes darting between “Unleaded” and “Super Unleaded.” The premium pump gleams like a luxury upgrade, promising smoother rides, cleaner engines, maybe even bragging rights. “Go on,” you tell yourself. “My car deserves it.” A few quid later, you drive off feeling smug - and poorer , blissfully unaware that your humble hatchback couldn’t care less. One driver told me, “I used V-Power for months. Then I realised my Fiesta was about as grateful as a teenager with a full fridge.”
The Marketing Mirage
Premium fuels ; often branded with names like “Ultimate,” “Momentum,” or “V-Power” - are sold as performance-boosting, engine-cleaning miracle liquids. They’re higher octane (usually 97–99 RON vs. the standard 95), which helps high-performance engines run efficiently under strain. The key phrase there? High-performance engines. If you’re driving a Golf, not a GTI, or a Corsa, not a Corvette, you’re just burning extra cash , literally. “It’s like feeding steak to a hamster,” joked one mechanic I met in Manchester. “Looks fancy, but it won’t change much.”
What Octane Actually Does (and Doesn’t Do)
Let’s strip away the marketing sparkle. Octane rating measures a fuel’s resistance to “knocking” ; the premature ignition of the air-fuel mix in the engine. High-octane fuel burns slower and more controlled, which is great for engines tuned for it. But most everyday cars , the ones filling up on UK motorways right now ; are built for 95 RON. They’re designed, tested, and optimised to run perfectly fine on regular fuel. Using premium in those engines won’t add power, increase efficiency, or suddenly make you Lewis Hamilton. “People swear it gives them more miles per gallon,” says an engineer from a major fuel supplier. “But that’s placebo. Or lighter traffic.”
The Real Cost of “Treating” Your Car
Premium fuel costs around 10 to 15 pence more per litre. Fill a 50-litre tank once a week, and that’s an extra £6 to £8 , or roughly £400 a year. £400! Enough for new tyres, a major service, or about 100 sausage rolls at Greggs. And for what? A barely noticeable difference in performance (if any) and a slightly shinier conscience. “It’s a status thing,” says a fuel station manager. “People like to feel like they’re giving their car the good stuff. Even if the car doesn’t know the difference.”
But What About “Engine Cleaning” Claims?
Ah yes, the magic detergent myth. Fuel companies love to talk about additives that “clean your engine” and “protect vital components.” The truth? All UK fuels - premium or not ; are required by law to contain detergents that keep injectors and valves clean. Premium blends may have more of those additives, sure, but the benefits are marginal unless your car is ancient or you’ve been neglecting it like a pot plant in student housing. “If you service your car properly and drive regularly, your injectors are already fine,” says a technician from the RAC. Translation: regular fuel, regular maintenance, no problem.
When Premium Actually Makes Sense
Now, to be fair , there are exceptions. If you drive a high-compression sports car, turbocharged engine, or something exotic with an instruction manual thicker than your council tax bill, then yes - it probably needs premium fuel. Some engines will knock or lose performance on regular unleaded. But for the average UK driver , think Fords, Hyundais, Peugeots ; your car’s ECU (engine control unit) adjusts perfectly to 95 RON without breaking a sweat. The owner’s manual tells you what to use , and spoiler alert ; it rarely says “premium required.”
Why People Keep Falling for It
Partly pride, partly persuasion. Fuel marketing is clever , all black packaging, shiny typography, and slogans about “ultimate protection” and “enhanced performance.” It taps into that part of us that believes more expensive means better. But driving isn’t skincare ; your car doesn’t need the “deluxe” version to function. Still, some drivers stick with it. “I just like knowing I’m putting the best in,” says Mike from Leeds. “Even if I can’t feel it.” And that’s the catch , premium fuel sells confidence, not combustion.
The Bottom Line: Save Your Pounds for the Pub
Unless your car specifically calls for high-octane fuel, you’re better off sticking with the regular stuff. You won’t lose power, damage your engine, or shorten your car’s lifespan. What you will do is save money , a lot of it , every time you fill up. So next time you’re at the pump, and that shiny “Premium” handle tempts you like a designer label, ask yourself: “Is this for my car… or my ego?” Because one of those doesn’t care what you put in the tank.