Gas Brands - Same or Different?

[ragingfish]

Ok. So I see one commercial tonight for Shell gasoline that says they have scientific proof their gasoline improves MPG ratings. ( http://www.localshell.com/Content.aspx?Article=41/)Shortly after, comes the commercial for Chevron with "Techron," which allegedly keeps the engine cleaner and healthier. ( http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuels/techrongas)Does anyone here have any experience with these different brands in the long term? Do you think these claims are accurate, despite their "proof" or logic, or should I still just go by the assumption that most major gas brands are essentially equivalent?

[NovaResource]

You mixed up the links but that's OK. I'm not a big Shell fan and don't use it so I can't comment on their claim.However, Chevron gas is very good. If I could get it here in PA I would but I can't. When I go down to VA to visit my family I use Chevron all the time. Here in PA I use Amoco. Techron is very good at cleaning the fuel system and is in Chevron gas but if you don't have a Chevron station nearby, you can buy Techron in a bottle at most auto parts store and add it to the tank.

[ragingfish]

quote:You mixed up the links but that's OK. Oops. Thanks, fixed that. quote:I'm not a big Shell fan and don't use it so I can't comment on their claim.Is it something about their products you don't like? Are they poor performers?

[dmitri]

Shell gas is great. Their premium has the highest octane rating out of most gas stations. My GT also runs best on shell.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I remember well, Shell had some trouble with their additves in the gas. It was blocking the fuel pump. They resolve that but a lot a people had to change their fuel pump because they were using nothing but Shell fuel. I don't know why, but it looks like Chrysler vehicule were more affected by this.

[ragingfish]

I usually get Wawa or a local station called Remington -- I was under the impression it's all essentially the same...But I pass a shell on the way to work, I'm willing to pay a few more pennies a gallon if it's really giving me better performance...

[ragingfish]

quote:Thought they made guns?Electric razors too.

[dmitri]

i have a remington electric shaver. good stuff.

[Chris]

I personally believe it's all marketing hype. The additive packages are all different but really what sort of real life difference will they make? Once in a while a co screws up and you end up with a problem with an additive hurting fuel system parts but that's pretty rare. About the only thing that really makes any difference is the Octane rating and even then, for cars that don't require it, it's a waste to put 94 in your average car that has good engine management. There's not really any extra "power" to high octane but rather it burns slower allowing high compression engines (like in the GT) to have more agressive timing without detonation... thus extract more mechanical energy from the fuel.I know many are quite brand loyal... I am too price sensitive for that I just buy the cheapest reasonable "regular" fuel for the li'll vibe and the good ole GMC 1500.

[Geo]

Mobile 1 Oil in my carMobile 1 Gasoline as well. (Whenever it is available)

[DavidPIL]

I used to notice major differences in gas with my oldsmobile over 10 years ago. Amoco was the only gas that didn't make it knock. Shell was not good at all. My last vehicle, although it recommended 87 octane. I hat to put in at least 89 (was getting old too). I found a station that had mid-grade only 2 cents higher than regular so I went there. Occasionally putting in the premium. It was a Super America. When I was looking into the Vibe. A dealer talked to me a bit about the gas quality. He had mentioned that he was in the service and that he was with a company that delt with refueling. He said the gas all basically is the same but the name brand companies take from the top of the tanker and what's left gets sent to the off-brand chains. He said what's at the top is more pure where at the bottom is where the water and impurities settle so it isn't as good. THe dealer where I bought my Vibe only mentioned going to a station where they sell a lot of gas (not one you notice doesn't have a lot of customers). I suppose then you get fresher gas. My personal preference is more toward any gas station that sells it's Premium gas within $.15 or so from the regular. Most stations around here have a $.09 or $.10 difference between qualities though some have a $.02 between reg and mid then a $.10 between mid and prem. A $.12 difference isn't bad at all... so that's what I look for.I do believe though that Amoco/BP and Marathon seems to be the better brands. Mobil is good but I did notice knocking in my older vehicles on it. I won't buy Shell anymore though.Dave

[Pix Doc]

Hi Kids!My Uncle is a now retired engineer from Union 76 (Now Citgo) I asked him the burning (Pun intended) Gas question. He told me to use whatever is cheapest. All the Gasoline in the midwest is the same.This was NOT the answer I wanted! All the years of buying "GOOD" gas was a waste of money.

[ragingfish]

How about the Northeast? What's good up here?

[VibeSalsa]

I don't know if you have Irving Oil gas stations in your area because I never saw them West of Montréal (Québec, Canada) and outside New England states(US), but IRVING produce a very low sulfur gasoline in their refinery of Saint John (New Brunswick). They wins environmental prizes and they are approved by most auto manufacturers. A GM technician told me a few years ago that they produce the best gasoline in Canada and it's mainly because they have to respect US environmental laws about emissions. They have only one plant (one of the biggest in the world) and they produce for Eastern Canada and US....Their gas station looks like this: You can find a lot about their low sulfur gasoline here: http://www.irvingoilco.com/environment/ ... index.html And Environment Canada have an info sheet about low sulfur there: http://www.ec.gc.ca/press/sulphur_b_e.htm This was my thought...

[ragingfish]

Nope, we don't have them down here...never seen them in Mass either, but I believe you that they're there.

[Hot Vibe]

I do know that General Motors has a recommended gas stations not to by from. BP(which now is selling Amoco at some locations). Amoco was recommended but I would now be leary since BP/Amoco are partners. Marathon/Clark/66/Speedway. The #1 do not buy is Total. Just like mentioned here that the Chrysler products had to have fuel pumps replaced. Total is the #1 cause of fuel injector replacement from an independant study. I use a variety of shell/mobil/Amoco. I have used it in my new vehicle and old carb vehicles. If your vehicle calls for 87octane. Anything more with the Toyota is just going to be a waste of money. If you put the supercharger on then you can buy more octane. I have learned plenty from working at GM.

[Big_Red]

I don't know about the States, but here in Canada, I go to three different types of gas stations.Petro Canada (because its closest to my house)Esso (for the EssoPoints)...and in distant and I do mean distant third Shell.Never ever to a smaller mom and pop gas station or god forbid a Sunoco.

[VibeSalsa]

quote:I visited quite a few Irvings on my trip and even saw the refinery in St. John. The gas may be good, but don't eat the food !I never went to their restaurants... It's not a place that inspire me... and I think, with your comments, I will never eat there. Did you have some problems with that on your trip?

[DavidPIL]

quote:My Uncle is a now retired engineer from Union 76 (Now Citgo) I asked him the burning (Pun intended) Gas question. He told me to use whatever is cheapest. All the Gasoline in the midwest is the same.This was NOT the answer I wanted! All the years of buying "GOOD" gas was a waste of money. Although your Uncle may be a retired engineer, I can't believe this statement. I know for a fact several years ago Illinois, Michigan and I believe California were madated to use a particularly formulated gas for cleaner burning. I believe it actually caused some problems in older cars that couldn't properly handle the new formulation. Also, from what I've read, Sunoco (which doesn't seem to be very highly regarded) and Marathon (maybe one more?) uses fuels mined from the western hemisphere (this may be wrong but again, I read it somewhere). Now if this is the case, there will have to be some difference in the brands. Also... I DO know for a fact that some gas companies (at least here in the mid-west) add ethanol as an octane booster. Not all brands do this. My last Marathon fill-up had no ethanol added, yet I go to "Super-America" and they do add ethanol. You can't tell me there's no difference.My experience has been that a car that needs only 87 octane may actually knock more with the off-brands unless you use a higher octane (88-91). I personally had less problems with pings and knocks with Amoco and Marathon fuels (with my old Ranger) and could see a noticable improvement in pick-up and fuel economy especially with Marathon fuel.This past week I travelled to Ohio on business and got my highest mpg @ 33.52 using Marathon fuel. Previously only used an off-brand from "Super-America" and averaged around 28 or so. (OK, the engine is getting more broken in but... That's a nice improvement.)There has to be a difference... even if it's only slight. Dave