While petrol prices have dropped from their record levels, they remain very high and people are still looking to save wherever they can when it comes to the pumps.

When it comes to the cheapest forecourts it is often the supermarket's own petrol stations offering the best deal, saving people at least a few pounds with every fill-up.

But could going cheaper be having an adverse effect on your car?

While all unleaded fuel sold in the UK conforms to the same British standards, there are some differences that could make paying for brand-name fuel a wiser choice.  

Generally, supermarket fuel should not be considered below par of branded competitors.

But the key difference is in the performance additives added to the base unleaded fuel.

All fuel will have performance additives added to it but the specific formula differs between them, meaning the type and quantity of these additives is different in supermarket fuel as it is with branded fuel.

Two additives you should be aware of are detergents and friction modifiers, both of which can help keep your car running smoothly in the long run.

Detergents can prevent and even reverse the build-up of deposits on sensitive engine components.

Friction modifiers meanwhile lubricate the engine's combustion chambers, reducing wear.

In addition to these and a few other additives, the base unleaded fuel is made up of a blend of hydrocarbons and ethanol.

Super-unleaded fuel has a higher amount of these performance additives however only high-performance, and some imported vehicles will really benefit from this more expensive fuel option.

Some engineers have recommended filling up every third or fourth tank with higher calibre petrol at other forecourts to help keep engines clean and working optimally.

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