Fuel Questions, Answered

Are fuel prices going up?

UK fuel prices fluctuate week to week and are driven primarily by global crude oil prices, the pound-to-dollar exchange...

Are petrol prices going up?

UK petrol prices rise and fall based on global crude oil prices, the pound-dollar exchange rate, fuel duty, and retailer...

Price Checking

How to check fuel prices

The quickest way to check fuel prices near you is to visit CheckFuelPrices.co.uk and search by postcode, town, or GPS —...

Price Finding

What are the cheapest fuel prices near me?

CheckFuelPrices shows live petrol and diesel prices at over 4,000 UK stations, updated every 30 minutes, so you can inst...

Price Explanation

What is fuel duty?

Fuel duty is a fixed government excise tax charged on every litre of petrol or diesel sold in the UK, currently set at 5...

When will fuel prices go down in the UK?

There is no fixed date when UK fuel prices will fall — they are driven by global crude oil markets, sterling exchange ra...

When will fuel prices go down?

Nobody can say exactly when fuel prices will fall — they are driven by global crude oil markets, the pound-dollar exchan...

Price Finding

Where is the cheapest petrol near me?

CheckFuelPrices shows you the cheapest petrol stations near you right now, with live prices at over 4,000 UK stations up...

Price Explanation

Why are fuel prices so high?

UK fuel prices are high because roughly two-thirds of every litre you buy is tax — fuel duty plus VAT — before retailers...

Fuel Cards

(10)

Shell Cards

Can I use a Shell fuel card at Esso?

No, you cannot use a Shell fuel card at Esso stations. Shell fuel cards are tied to Shell's own network and any approved...

Getting One

Can anyone get a fuel card?

Not quite anyone — most UK fuel cards are primarily aimed at businesses, fleets, and sole traders rather than private in...

Getting One

How do you get a fuel card?

You get a fuel card by applying directly with a provider online — most UK business fuel cards are approved within 24–48...

How They Work

How do you use a fuel card?

Using a fuel card is straightforward: fill up at an accepted station, present the card at the till or pump, and enter yo...

How They Work

How does a fuel card work?

A fuel card works like a charge card specifically for buying fuel — drivers fill up at any accepted petrol station, ente...

What Are They

What is a fuel card?

A fuel card is a dedicated payment card that allows businesses and fleet operators to purchase fuel at petrol stations w...

Allstar Cards

Where can I use an Allstar fuel card?

Allstar fuel cards are accepted at over 7,000 petrol stations across the UK, covering most major branded networks and ma...

BP Cards

Where can I use my BP fuel card?

BP fuel cards are accepted at all BP-branded forecourts across the UK, plus a wider network of partner stations dependin...

Shell Cards

Where can I use my Shell fuel card?

Shell fuel cards are accepted at all Shell-branded forecourts in the UK, plus a wide network of partner stations dependi...

Which is Best

Which fuel card is best?

There is no single best fuel card — the right choice depends on your fleet size, where your drivers refuel, and what rep...

Fuel Types & Quality

(31)

Can you mix E5 and E10 petrol?

Yes, you can safely mix E5 and E10 petrol in the same tank. Both are grades of unleaded petrol and are fully compatible...

Can you mix premium diesel with normal diesel?

Yes, you can safely mix premium diesel with normal diesel — there is no risk of engine damage. Both types meet the same...

Can you mix unleaded and super unleaded?

Yes, you can safely mix unleaded (E10) and super unleaded (E5) in the same tank. Both are petrol grades that meet UK fue...

Does premium diesel make a difference?

Premium diesel can make a measurable difference, but it depends on your vehicle and how you drive. For high-mileage driv...

Is E10 petrol or diesel?

E10 is petrol, not diesel. It is the standard grade of unleaded petrol sold at UK forecourts and contains up to 10% rene...

Is E5 petrol better than E10?

E5 is not universally better than E10 — it depends on your car and what you value. E5 delivers marginally better fuel ec...

Is Esso fuel good?

Yes, Esso fuel is good quality. Like all fuel sold in the UK, it must meet strict British and European standards, and Es...

Shell V-Power

Is Shell V-Power worth it?

Shell V-Power is worth it for performance and high-compression engines, but for most ordinary petrol cars it delivers mi...

Is Tesco fuel good?

Yes, Tesco fuel is good quality and perfectly safe for your car. All petrol and diesel sold in the UK — including at Tes...

Is diesel or petrol better?

Neither diesel nor petrol is universally better — it depends entirely on how you drive. High-mileage drivers covering mo...

Is my car petrol or diesel?

The quickest way to find out if your car is petrol or diesel is to check the fuel filler cap or the sticker inside the f...

Is petrol or diesel better?

Neither petrol nor diesel is universally better — the right choice depends on how far you drive and what kind of roads y...

Is petrol or diesel cheaper?

Petrol is almost always cheaper per litre than diesel at UK forecourts, typically by 3–8p per litre. However, diesel eng...

Is premium diesel better for your DPF?

Yes, premium diesel can be beneficial for your diesel particulate filter (DPF). The enhanced detergent and cleaning addi...

Is premium diesel worth it?

For most everyday diesel drivers, premium diesel is not worth the extra cost. It delivers real but modest benefits — cle...

Is super unleaded worth it?

Super unleaded is worth it for specific vehicles, but unnecessary for most everyday cars. It offers a higher octane rati...

Is supermarket fuel bad for your car?

No, supermarket fuel is not bad for your car. All petrol and diesel sold in the UK must meet the same British Standards...

Is supermarket fuel bad?

No, supermarket fuel is not bad for your car. All petrol and diesel sold in the UK must meet the same British Standards...

Is supermarket fuel inferior?

No, supermarket fuel is not inferior in any legally meaningful sense. All petrol and diesel sold in the UK must meet the...

Is unleaded petrol or diesel?

Unleaded is petrol, not diesel. The term 'unleaded' simply means the petrol does not contain lead additives — it is the...

What is E10 petrol?

E10 petrol is the standard unleaded petrol grade in the UK, blended with up to 10% bioethanol derived from renewable sou...

What is E5 petrol now called?

E5 petrol is now labelled 'Super' at UK forecourts. When E10 became the standard 95 octane petrol in September 2021, E5...

What is E5 petrol?

E5 petrol is unleaded petrol blended with up to 5% bioethanol. It was the standard grade of petrol sold at UK forecourts...

What is premium diesel?

Premium diesel is an enhanced grade of diesel fuel that contains a higher concentration of cleaning additives and perfor...

What is super unleaded petrol?

Super unleaded is a higher-octane grade of petrol, typically rated at 97–99 RON (Research Octane Number), compared to 95...

What is the difference between E5 and E10 petrol?

E5 and E10 petrol differ in how much ethanol they contain — E5 has up to 5% ethanol, while E10 has up to 10%. E10 became...

What's better petrol or diesel?

Neither is universally better — it depends on how you drive. Petrol is the smarter choice for most city and low-mileage...

What's the difference between unleaded and super unleaded?

The key difference is octane rating: standard unleaded (E10) is 95 RON, while super unleaded is 97–99 RON. A higher octa...

Which cars cannot use E10 petrol?

Vehicles manufactured before 2002 are most likely to be incompatible with E10 petrol, along with all classic cars, some...

Which petrol station has the best fuel?

Every petrol station in the UK sells fuel that meets the same legally required British Standard, so no single station ha...

Who sells E5 petrol near me?

E5 petrol is available at most UK filling stations, sold as Super Unleaded (97 or 98 octane), while standard unleaded is...

Loyalty & Rewards

(5)

Clubcard

Can you use Clubcard vouchers on fuel?

Yes, you can use Tesco Clubcard vouchers on fuel at Tesco petrol filling stations. Vouchers are redeemed at the pump or...

Nectar

Can you use Nectar points for fuel?

Yes, you can use Nectar points to pay for fuel at Sainsbury's petrol stations. Every 500 Nectar points is worth £2.50 of...

Nectar

Can you use Nectar points on fuel?

Yes, you can use Nectar points to pay for fuel at Sainsbury's petrol stations. Points are redeemed at the till or pump a...

Clubcard

Do you get Clubcard points on fuel?

Yes, you earn Tesco Clubcard points when you buy fuel at Tesco petrol stations. You collect 1 point per £1 spent on fuel...

Clubcard

How many Clubcard points do you get for fuel?

You earn 1 Clubcard point for every £1 spent on fuel at Tesco petrol stations. Each point is worth 1p in store, meaning...

ULEZ & Clean Air Zones

(14)

Do I need to pay ULEZ?

Whether you need to pay ULEZ depends entirely on your vehicle's emission standard — not its age alone. If your petrol ca...

Payment

How do you pay ULEZ?

You pay ULEZ online at the TfL website, by phone, or by setting up Auto Pay — payment must be made by midnight on the da...

Cost

How much is the ULEZ charge?

The London ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) charge is £12.50 per day for non-compliant cars, motorcycles, and vans. Larger...

Euro Standards

Is Euro 5 ULEZ compliant?

It depends on your fuel type: Euro 5 petrol cars are ULEZ compliant and drive in London's Ultra Low Emission Zone for fr...

Euro Standards

Is Euro 5 diesel ULEZ compliant?

No, Euro 5 diesel is not ULEZ compliant. London's Ultra Low Emission Zone requires diesel cars and vans to meet the Euro...

Euro Standards

Is Euro 6 ULEZ compliant?

Yes, Euro 6 diesel cars are ULEZ compliant in London and meet the emissions standard required by most UK Clean Air Zones...

Location

Is Heathrow in ULEZ?

Yes, Heathrow Airport is inside the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Since the ULEZ expanded to cover all of Great...

Is my car ULEZ compliant?

Whether your car is ULEZ compliant depends on its Euro emission standard — most petrol cars first registered after Janua...

Is my car ULEZ compliant?

Your car is likely ULEZ compliant if it is a petrol registered after 2006 or a diesel registered after 2015. The fastest...

Is my car ULEZ free?

Whether your car is ULEZ free depends on its Euro emissions standard — petrol cars registered after 2006 and diesel cars...

What Cars

What cars are ULEZ compliant?

Most petrol cars registered from 2006 onwards and diesel cars registered from 2015 onwards are ULEZ compliant. Complianc...

What is ULEZ

What does ULEZ compliant mean?

ULEZ compliant means your vehicle meets the minimum Euro emission standards required to drive inside a Ultra Low Emissio...

What is ULEZ

What is ULEZ compliant?

A ULEZ compliant vehicle meets the emission standards set by Transport for London, meaning it can drive inside the Ultra...

What is ULEZ

What is ULEZ?

ULEZ stands for Ultra Low Emission Zone and is a daily charging zone in London designed to reduce air pollution. Vehicle...

AdBlue & DPF

(16)

Does AdBlue go off?

Yes, AdBlue does go off. It has a shelf life of roughly 12–18 months when stored correctly, after which the urea content...

How do I know when my AdBlue tank is full?

Your AdBlue tank is full when fluid begins to rise into the filler neck or you feel back-pressure through the nozzle — s...

How does AdBlue work?

AdBlue is a liquid solution injected into a diesel exhaust system to convert toxic nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions into h...

How long does AdBlue last?

AdBlue typically lasts between 5,000 and 12,000 miles, though the exact figure depends on your vehicle, engine size, and...

Buying AdBlue

How much is AdBlue?

AdBlue typically costs between £1 and £2 per litre in small retail bottles, falling to under £1 per litre when bought in...

How to avoid DPF problems

The single best way to avoid DPF problems is to drive your diesel at motorway speeds regularly, allowing the filter to b...

How to clean a DPF filter?

A blocked DPF can be cleaned in three ways: passive regeneration on a long motorway run, active regeneration triggered b...

How to clean a DPF?

You can clean a partially blocked DPF by driving at sustained motorway speeds to trigger passive regeneration, burning o...

Is all AdBlue the same?

Yes, all genuine AdBlue is chemically identical — a precisely mixed solution of 32.5% high-purity urea and 67.5% deionis...

What does AdBlue do?

AdBlue is a diesel exhaust fluid that neutralises harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions produced by modern diesel engin...

What is AdBlue made of?

AdBlue is a non-toxic fluid made from 32.5% high-purity urea and 67.5% deionised water. It is injected into the exhaust...

What is AdBlue used for?

AdBlue is a diesel exhaust fluid used to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel engines. It is inject...

What is AdBlue?

AdBlue is a non-toxic exhaust fluid injected into the exhaust system of modern diesel vehicles to break down harmful nit...

What is a DPF on a car?

A DPF, or Diesel Particulate Filter, is a device fitted to the exhaust system of diesel cars that captures and stores so...

What is a DPF?

A DPF, or Diesel Particulate Filter, is a device fitted in the exhaust system of diesel vehicles to capture and store so...

Buying AdBlue

Where to buy AdBlue?

AdBlue is widely available at petrol stations, supermarkets, motor factors, and online retailers across the UK. Most fil...

Fuel Saving & Economy

(15)

Does coasting save fuel?

It depends entirely on whether you coast in gear or in neutral. Coasting in gear on a modern fuel-injected car cuts fuel...

Does cruise control save fuel?

Yes, cruise control saves fuel on flat roads and motorways by eliminating the small speed fluctuations that waste fuel....

MPG

How many miles per gallon should my car do?

Most UK cars return between 30 and 50 MPG in real-world driving, though official figures can be higher. Your actual MPG...

How to reduce fuel consumption

You can meaningfully reduce fuel consumption by changing how you drive, maintaining your vehicle properly, and buying fu...

How to save fuel

The fastest ways to save fuel are to drive smoothly, keep tyres correctly inflated, and fill up at the cheapest station...

MPG

How to work out miles per gallon

To work out your miles per gallon (MPG), brim your tank, drive a measured distance, brim it again, then divide the miles...

What increases fuel consumption?

Speed, aggressive driving style, unnecessary weight, and poor vehicle maintenance are the biggest factors that increase...

MPG

What is a good miles per gallon?

For a petrol car, 40 MPG or above is generally considered good, while 50 MPG or more is excellent. Diesel cars typically...

What is fuel consumption?

Fuel consumption is the amount of fuel a vehicle uses to travel a given distance. In the UK, it is most commonly express...

What reduces fuel consumption?

Smooth, anticipatory driving is the single biggest reducer of fuel consumption — it can cut your fuel use by up to 30% c...

What will reduce fuel consumption?

Smoother driving, correct tyre pressure, and cutting unnecessary weight are the most effective ways to reduce fuel consu...

What's most likely to increase fuel consumption?

Aggressive driving is the single biggest factor that increases fuel consumption, but under-inflated tyres, excess weight...

When is fuel consumption at its highest?

Fuel consumption is at its highest during cold engine starts, aggressive acceleration, and slow stop-start traffic. Thes...

Driving Techniques

Which driving technique can help you save fuel?

Smooth, anticipatory driving is the single most effective technique for saving fuel. Avoiding harsh acceleration and bra...

Driving Techniques

Which driving technique can save fuel?

Smooth, anticipatory driving is the single most effective technique for saving fuel. Avoiding harsh acceleration and bra...

Wrong Fuel & Misfuelling

(3)

Petrol in Diesel

How far can you drive with petrol in a diesel car?

You should not drive any distance at all with petrol in a diesel car. Even driving a few hundred metres can circulate th...

Diesel in Petrol

What happens if you put diesel in a petrol car?

Putting diesel in a petrol car is less common than the reverse, but it can still cause serious damage if you start the e...

Petrol in Diesel

What happens if you put petrol in a diesel car?

Putting petrol in a diesel car is a serious misfuelling mistake that can cause significant engine damage. Petrol acts as...

Electric vs Petrol

(7)

Battery

How much does an electric car battery cost?

An electric car battery replacement typically costs between £5,000 and £15,000 in the UK, depending on the vehicle model...

Charging Costs

How much does an electric car cost to charge?

Charging an electric car at home typically costs £10–£15 for a full charge, depending on your battery size and electrici...

Purchase Cost

How much does an electric car cost?

New electric cars in the UK currently range from around £20,000 for entry-level models to over £80,000 for premium vehic...

Charging Costs

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

Charging an electric car at home typically costs £10–£15 for a full charge, based on the UK's average electricity unit r...

Charger Install

How much does it cost to install an electric car charger?

Installing a home EV charger typically costs between £800 and £1,200 all-in, including the unit and installation labour....

Running Costs

How much does it cost to run an electric car?

Running an electric car costs around 3–4p per mile when charging at home, compared to roughly 14–16p per mile for a typi...

Servicing

How much does it cost to service an electric car?

Servicing an electric car typically costs between £100 and £200 per year, compared to £150–£300 or more for a equivalent...

Fuel Costs & Calculations

(4)

Cost Per Mile

How much does fuel cost per mile?

For a typical UK petrol car achieving around 40 MPG, fuel currently costs approximately 12–14p per mile based on average...

Cost Per Mile

How much does petrol cost per mile?

Petrol costs roughly 12–18p per mile for most UK cars at current pump prices. The exact figure depends on two things: ho...

Cost Calculator

How to calculate fuel cost?

To calculate fuel cost, divide your journey distance (in miles) by your car's MPG, then multiply by the price per gallon...

Cost Calculator

How to work out fuel cost

To work out fuel cost, divide your journey distance (in miles) by your car's MPG to get litres needed, then multiply by...

Alternative Fuels

(9)

LPG Cost

How much is LPG per litre?

LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) typically costs between 65p and 80p per litre at UK forecourts, making it roughly half the...

LPG Cost

Is LPG cheaper than petrol?

Yes, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is significantly cheaper per litre than petrol — typically around 60–70p per litre co...

What does LPG stand for?

LPG stands for Liquefied Petroleum Gas, a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases — primarily propane and butane — stored...

What is LPG fuel?

LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is a mixture of propane and butane gases that is compressed into liquid form and used as a...

What is LPG gas?

LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is a flammable fuel made up of propane and butane that is stored as a liquid under pressur...

What is LPG?

LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is an alternative vehicle fuel made from a blend of propane and butane, stored as a liquid...

Fuel Additives

What is a fuel additive?

A fuel additive is a chemical compound blended into petrol or diesel to improve its performance, cleanliness, or stabili...

LPG Cars

What is an LPG car?

An LPG car is a vehicle that runs on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a mixture of propane and butane stored as a liquid u...

Bioethanol

What is bio ethanol fuel?

Bioethanol is a renewable alcohol fuel produced by fermenting plant materials such as sugarcane, wheat, or corn. In the...

Petrol Stations

(9)

Station Services

How to check tyre pressure at a petrol station?

To check your tyre pressure at a petrol station, locate the air machine (usually near the forecourt edge), enter your ta...

Station Services

How to put air in tyres at a petrol station?

To put air in your tyres at a petrol station, check your car's recommended tyre pressure, drive to the air machine, remo...

Tesco

Is Tesco petrol station open?

Most Tesco petrol stations are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, though some smaller Tesco Express forecourts follow t...

Costco

What time does Costco petrol station close?

Costco petrol stations in the UK typically close between 20:00 and 21:00 on weekdays, with earlier closing times on Satu...

Costco

What time does Costco petrol station open?

Costco petrol stations in the UK typically open Monday to Friday from 6:00am to 9:00pm, Saturday from 6:00am to 7:00pm,...

Finding Stations

Where is my nearest petrol station?

You can find your nearest petrol station instantly using CheckFuelPrices — just enter your postcode, town name, or allow...

Finding Stations

Where is the nearest petrol station?

You can find the nearest petrol station instantly using CheckFuelPrices, which covers 4,000+ UK stations and shows live...

Finding Stations

Where's the nearest petrol station to me?

CheckFuelPrices finds the nearest petrol station to you instantly — just allow location access and it pinpoints every st...

Phone Safety

Why can't you use your phone at a petrol station?

The ban on using phones at petrol stations is primarily a precautionary policy rather than a proven fire risk — no confi...