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Q Should we use Redex?
We have just purchased a new-to-us 2018 campervan. With our old 2008 ’van we would always top up the diesel with Redex, but would you recommend doing the same with this newer model?
Julie Pillar
A That is an interesting question. I suspect that you would have preferred a yes or no answer!
In theory, you should not have to add anything extra to your tank on a regular basis because all fuel available in the UK has to conform to a minimum standard and it should be fine. I used to believe this without reservation, but I have recently been having second thoughts. Back to that in a minute.
It is a good idea to use an injector cleaner from time to time and, if you have a diesel particulate filter, it is a good idea to add a DPF cleaning fluid from time to time, too. If a diesel vehicle is left standing with less than a full tank for long periods, there are additives to deal with the water that will form in the tank due to condensation, others that give protection from severe cold weather and others that deal with organic matter such as ‘diesel bugs’, which are actually like mould that develops when bio diesel is left standing. You have choices to make here and I have consistently been telling people this for many years.
My own recent experience is based on using supermarket fuel for a long time. There is nothing wrong with it in theory, because it certainly meets the minimum standards, but it is lacking in the additives that the more premium fuel suppliers put in to clean things and perhaps improve economy. Diesel is diesel. It starts off the same and then, depending where it is being delivered to, additives are mixed in with it.
My diesel car developed a habit of stalling in traffic. I was very concerned that something expensive was about to fail and leave me stranded, so I did a little reading and found many web forums where this sort of thing was being discussed. I decided to chuck a quality injector cleaner in the tank and have followed this with an additive after every fill with very impressive results.
I was having the stalling problem every two or three days and, on one occasion, I was seriously doubting whether I would complete my journey. Since the cleaner and additive, it has not happened at all. Not once. Not the slightest hesitation. For more than a month.
I am pretty sure that the fuel economy has improved and I am also sure that the engine is running smoother and more quietly. I think I
