Your engine loses a significant amount of the energy available from diesel fuel. Shell’s fuels scientists have explored where these losses take place and have developed formulation strategies to help improve diesel combustion efficiency, creating innovative fuel technologies designed to give you extra miles at no extra cost.

Designed for quicker ignition

When diesel fuel is injected into your engine’s cylinders, the injected droplets encounter the hot, compressed air, heat up, vaporise and begin to react with oxygen in the air. There is a time delay between fuel injection and the onset of combustion. This is known as the ignition delay.

New improved Shell Diesel with fuel economy formula has been developed to give a reduced ignition delay. This quicker ignition is designed to help the fuel release its energy when the piston is closer to the top of the cylinder, so helping the combustion process convert chemical energy in the fuel more effectively into energy that drives your wheels.

Formulated to help keep the engine clean

Precisely engineered diesel injectors are at the heart of your engine and need to function as they were designed to for it to work at its best. Deposits on and around the injector nozzle can result in poor fuel mixing and lead to inefficient combustion. New improved Shell Diesel with fuel economy formula is designed to help keep your engine clean, so helping it achieve better fuel mixing and combustion, further contributing to overall combustion efficiency.

In addition to using Shell Unleaded with fuel economy formula here you can find other basic things you can do before and during driving that could help you improve your fuel economy.

Tips to maximise your fuel

As driving costs increase, it becomes more important for many drivers to make sure their chosen gasoline fuel provides the best value for money. Shell Unleaded with fuel economy formula has been specially formulated to give you extra miles at no extra cost.

Here are some steps you can take before and during driving that will help you go further.

Step 1: Before you drive

1.  Tune and service your engine – A well-tuned engine can improve fuel economy so change your oil and follow your car manufacturer’s recommendations on servicing.

2.  Keep your tyres at the right pressure – Correctly inflated tyres are safer and last longer. A tyre that is under inflated by just 1 psi can already reduce fuel efficiency. An under or over inflated tyre is also more vulnerable.

3.  Avoid carrying excess weight – Every extra weight you carry can reduce your fuel efficiency. So keep your boot or back seat clear of unnecessary items that just add weight to your vehicle.

4.  Take the roof rack off – If you’re not using your roof rack then remove it. They affect the aerodynamic efficiency of your engine and create drag, reducing fuel economy.

5.  Use the correct oil – Always use the recommended grade of motor oil. Using the manufacturer’s recommended lubricant can improve fuel efficiency. Higher quality motor oils can also help your engine operate more efficiently.

Step 2: While driving

1.  Drive smoothly – Aggressive driving can use as much as a third more fuel than safe driving. Avoid accelerating or braking too hard and try to keep your steering as smooth as possible

2.  Avoid over-revving – The higher gear you drive in the lower your engine speed is, which can improve fuel efficiency. So change up a gear whenever you can, without labouring the engine.

3.  Use cruise control – Using cruise control on major roads helps you maintain a constant speed and, in many cases, will improve fuel consumption

4.  Avoid excess idling – Idling gets you nowhere but still burns fuel. Turn the engine off when you’re in a queue, or waiting for someone, until you need it.

5.  Use air-conditioning sparingly – Air-conditioning puts added strain on the engine. Try to limit its use to particularly hot or cold days and on temperate days just use the fan. Alternatively you can wind down the window. Whilst you will lose some fuel efficiency through aerodynamics it is still far more economical than using the air-conditioner 

Through technical partnerships with Ferrari, Ducati and the Shell-Pennzoil team in NASCAR, Shell has the most extreme test bed to develop the best premium products for every Shell customer. In this section you have the chance to get behind the scenes and find out all you need to know on Shell’s involvement.