Is super unleaded petrol worth it?

[twelveminutespast]

My car is really shit on petrol. It takes about a £100 a month in fuel and I only drive around locally. It's about 4 miles to my workplace each day so I'm really not driving any distances yet still it constantly feels like I'm filling up. I only have a 1.2 litre.

I have heard that super unleaded petrol takes longer to burn and am wondering if it's worth paying the extra for.

Does anybody here use it and can you tell me if you notice a difference vs normal unleaded?

Hopeful bump

It didn't make a difference for me. I do 300 miles a week and got very similar on both.

No difference on fuel economy. Just feels smoother and more responsive.
Are you sure there isn't a mechanical problem?
My car started feeling a bit funny and using more fuel. Turned out one of the brakes was stuck on so everything was having to work twice as hard. Sorted brake and back to normal fuel economy...
Husband is mechanic - says there's plenty of reasons for fuel economy to change (unless it's always been like that) but you need a reliable mechanic you trust...

Wow, I have a 1.2 Hyundai i10 and only use it locally and my commute is six miles each way through built up areas. My petrol is less than £36 a month.

Thanks for everyone who has replied. My car is a 2015 plate, I wouldn't expect anything to be wrong with it but having said that, I'm not sure! As the fuel consumption just doesn't seem normal to me.

My old car was a 2006 reg, had a leaking exhaust and was still somewhat better on petrol than the car I have now. When I got the exhaust replaced I was only putting about £40 a month in it.

I am now beginning to wonder if I should take it back to the dealership as I am under warranty.

@maddiemookins16mum Wow! That's so cheap

@jillandhersprite The fuel consumption has always been poor since I got it around 6 months ago

I got mine re mapped. Paid 200 for it to be done. And halved my consumption

One of the most common reasons for poor fuel economy is incorrect tyre pressures that would be the first thing I would check,

I would collect some more evidence and take it to garage if it's under warranty

@WhyDidIStartDecorating How old was your car?

@Lonecatwithkitten Tyres were the first thing I checked. All at correct pressure

Mine is a 1.2 Polo. It's 17 years old but is really economical. I put in £20 fuel about 2 weeks ago and it's just above red. The clutch is really worn and i was told that causes drag which uses more fuel but it's not been an issue as yet

@CottonSock I will ring the dealership tomorrow and see what they advise

I put £20 in on Friday and have just had to put another £20 in as was on empty. I haven't drove at all over the weekend, did 15 miles ish yesterday and today.

It just seems ridiculous! I'm fed up of spending so much money on fuel

@BooseysMom Do you drive a lot?

I have a 1l compact car, so tiny car and tiny engine. I drive 12 miles a day, mostly 30mph but spots of 50mph and use £40 of fuel a fortnight or thereabouts. We also do a few evening miles in it too.

I put super unleaded in it as I think it does give a bit more responsiveness but maybe it's a placebo. To be honest, there's not much difference in cost on a fortnightly basis for my tiny car.

That's 12 miles a day, Monday to Friday!

Something is wrong there, I'm glad you're getting it checked out. A 1.2 should go miles on that much fuel.

For comparison I have a 61 plate 2.0 turbo diesel. I put £10 into a near empty tank on Sunday and got a good hour on the motorway plus 2 days' city centre driving before filling up properly today.

Thanks @confusedandemployed. I've suspected it for some time. £40 of fuel in 4 days is so excessive, considering I have done no weekend driving at all.

I hope they can sort whatever is causing the problem

@twelveminutespast.. not really any more. Work is about 3 miles away ..i go there and back x3 per week ... and i go shopping once a week about 8 mile round trip.

20-25£ of petrol gets me roughly 100 miles, that's 12yo 1.6 zafira.

Car is 2006.