Fuel usage in W.A. N.T. vs Vic & S.A.

Avan, you may be on to something.

I'm lead to believe that SA gets all its diesel shipped direct from Singapore and WA also gets a fair bit from SE Asia but it is better quality being blended with "Gas to Liquid" Diesel. This I understand is available as a "super" branded diesel...so it may depend on where you fill up yer tank.

I stand to be corrected on this, as my only source is reading around a lot and none of it particularly authoritative.

Cheers
Brad

I worked for various companies including Mobil for a few years in a fuel farm here in WA. When the tanker arrives there are many tests that the fuel has to pass before it allowed to be discharged. Then while it is being discharged it is continually monitored and sampled to make sure it is to the correct specs. I mainly worked with Diesel and it alwasy came from Singapore. The fuel in the last couple of years just got better and better, some loads were almost clear. The clearer it was the better it was processed. This is the fuel that services the Kimberley and i can say that i am yet to see Diesel that was as good as the stuff we got there. I am unsure if you could break it down to different states getting better fuel, as the Tankers do discharge at a couple of Ports before heading off to refill. That said though when demand is high and Tankers are few and far between, they could take the not so flash diesel and just mix it with large quantities of better Diesel. Alot of the Diesel also has other fuels in it too, as its all pumped down the same lines, and in some storage facilities it is very hard to determine when the 2 products have changed in order to switch tanks. I even know that in some cities in Australia the storage facilties are a long way from the Port, so that fuel has got a long way to travel along buried pipes that wouldnt be too flash looking.

Hi Avan
I am impressed that you keep such precise fuel records !
I'm a lazy bugger, when the fuel gauge reads empty, I fill up ??
Safe travels
Bazza

Hi Avan,

In WA, most diesel comes from BP and they have BP Ultimate available, similar to Premium Unleaded petrol. It has a higher cetane rating (diesel equivalent to octane) and has a lower sulfur level. Not all stations have BP Ultimate diesel, even some BP outlets don't get the Diesel Ultimate fuel all the time so it pays to make sure the outlet is BP and they advertise Ultimate Diesel if you want the good stuff. I go out of my way to ensure I only use BP Ultimate diesel, check the BP website for more info.

Cheers

Captain

PS. Usual disclaimers, no affiliation to BP

Did you factor in both prevailing winds and day to day wind speed changes?

Mike Harding

As well as wind conditions, terrain is another important factor. If you were travelling through the Great Dividing Range in NSW & Victoria, then you will most likely use more fuel than the generally central & western parts of Oz.

I have been spreadsheeting our fuel consumption since we bought our 4WD. We do a lot of offroad as well. Every fill shows a different usage even when we don't do offroad. It also inlcudes travelling in WA, SA, Qld, NSW, Vic & Tas.

Having bought fuel in other states on a regular basis, my fuel stats do not show that some States are always more fuel efficient.

Avan
answer is easy. look @ a map of Aust.
NT to WA is downhill. ??
LOL
cheers Tom.

Hi Avan

Well done for keeping your fuel records and you will gain some insight into improving your fuel consumption.

Unfortunately as others have suggested it is not that simple.
To add a few more variables that would affect consumption.
Fuel Temperate, Air temperature, Altitude, Specific gravity of fuel (weight) probably regulated now but the heavier the better.

You will also find that Diesel purchased during winter is a better product as it is blended to to work in the cold weather, this is to prevent wax forming and varies throughout the year.

Cheers