Shell V-Power Diesel, a fuel we recommend if you run a diesel vehicle, helps keep your engine clean by using a combination of detergent and friction-modifying additives. Through various tests, we have confirmed a 5% improvement in fuel economy, using our testing vehicle, a BMW 620d. The savings you make with improved MPG do not offset the increased cost of the fuel. However, there are other longer-term benefits to using a premium diesel fuel, such as Shell V-Power, that you should consider. These include:

1. Remove Existing Deposits

Shell V-Power Diesel contains cleaning agents that can break down carbon and other deposits that build up in the fuel system, especially fuel injectors. Clean injectors help improve fuel atomization and combustion, which improves performance and, as we mentioned, fuel economy.

2. Prevent Future Build-Up

This fuel is formulated with a detergent system that prevents new deposits from forming. This helps maintain engine cleanliness over a longer period of time, especially in high-pressure common-rail diesel systems where injector cleanliness is crucial.

3. Reduce Friction

Shell V Power includes molecules, which lower contact friction, that coat moving metal surfaces in the fuel system. This helps the engine run more smoothly and efficiently, which, alongside improved fuel economy, can also translate to better power delivery. This is something we have certainly noticed with our long-term testing vehicle.

4. Cleaner Combustion

Cleaner combustion leads to lower emissions (like soot and particulates), which is important for both environmental impact and maintaining exhaust after-treatment systems like diesel particulate filters (DPFs).

Our testing vehicle recently had its fuel filter replaced, having covered close to 50,000 miles. So that’s around 5,000 litres of diesel it would have filtered over three years. Our testing team decided to take apart the old fuel filter to see just how dirty it was. The photos below demonstrate that, although the filter was not clean by any means, it was certainly not black and clogged. A wipe of the filter media showed only lightish contamination. We have seen fuel filters under this “wipe” test with less than 50,000 showing thick black contamination. So this proves just how good Shell V Power is.

If the testing team were to disassemble the injectors, we suspect they would be clean. At the time of testing, the vehicle had covered 87,000 miles.

There is a lot of debate around premium diesel fuels, but from our experience and knowledge of driving, Shell V Power does what it says on the tin. You just need to decide if you wish to pay the premium they charge for it.

What does a fuel filter do?

Removes Dirt and Debris:

It traps particles like dust, rust, and dirt that can enter the fuel tank during refuelling or from ageing fuel.

Prevents Engine Damage:

Clean fuel helps protect the fuel injectors and combustion chamber from wear and clogging, ensuring the engine runs smoothly.

Protects Fuel System Components:

It prevents contamination of sensitive parts like:

Fuel injectors
Fuel pump
Carburettors (in older vehicles)

Improves Performance and Efficiency:

Clean fuel improves combustion, leading to better throttle response, fuel economy, and reduced emissions.

Extends Engine Life:

By keeping contaminants out, it reduces the risk of premature engine wear or failure.

Diesel engines are especially sensitive to fuel cleanliness, so diesel fuel filters often include water separators to remove moisture (which diesel attracts more readily).