fuel company questions

[rede30]

I don’t want this to become a thread about gas prices. Have you guys found any legit articles on why a certain brand of gas is better than others? I always fill at 76/shell/ or chevron but is there truly a good reason to do this? Have i fallen into good advertising trap by choosing the gas with the advertised addictives? Do all stations have similar addictives but chevron advertises its techron better and is techron really that good?

[Garageaholic]

Well, for one, location is a big thing. I"m not talking about location within the country, but location within a town. The most used gas stations typically charge more because the gas is the freshest. I had filled up at a brand x station in the middle of nowhere with 93 octane and i ended up having water in the gas...

my friend says that he fills up with nothing but sunoco and that he gets better gas mileage. Overall, I think that gas is gas is gas, speaking of which, i gotta hit the shitter

[unijoe]

Techron probably isn't that much of a benefit, but it prob isn't a pure marketing tool. i would indeed like to see some articles comparing the companies against eachother.

FWIW, I only run 76 or Chevron 91oct (damn you california) in my 850. seems that everything else makes it ping like a sonofabitch. shell gas does NOT run at all, it's like half water when it comes outta the pump!

[nando]

some gas stations like Shell and Chevron *only* use their brand of fuel. Other stations use whatever they happen to get ahold of, which means the quality of fuel you get can vary quite a bit, even from the same gas station.

besides that, the biggest difference between fuels is the additives packages - the base fuel is pretty much all the same (all the fuel around here pretty much comes from one refinery). Additives DO make a difference.

I stick with Shell 92 and it seems to work fine, although I've filled up with chevron here and there. it's up to you, but definitely avoid the really cheap places (Arco AM/PM comes to mind).

[325iCabrio]

I usually use Phillip's 66 or Chevron. I have no proof, but I know my car always runs better when I use those two stations--nearly everywhere else makes the car run rougher.

[Mr 325is]

I saw a program on tv once, can't remember where Discovery or Science channel. The explain how different brand bought their gas from the same factory, and that the only difference is any detergent or additive they add after buying the gas. I would tell you what M3fan already said, get the gas from a busy gas station.

[AdironRider]

I run sunoco or mobil 93. Cheaper stations around my area tend to make my car run funny from time to time, more than likely due to water in the gas.

[kommissar]

I like the big name brands. For some completely un-scientific reason they seem to be cleaner to me. It has to do with the fact that more people buy gas at those stations.

My dad will only put Amoco/BP in his car. He has a B5 Passat, so that's about 1999, and has only broken this rule two times that I can remember. He says that when his friends worked at the docks in NY all the gas companies bought from the same tank, but Amoco had their own set of "special" tanks.

However, don't think that that means anything; I just thought I would share. My dad is ridiculous with brand loyalty. Almost every electronic in my house was Sony, etc.

[JPL]

I saw a program on tv once, can't remember where Discovery or Science channel. The explain how different brand bought their gas from the same factory, and that the only difference is any detergent or additive they add after buying the gas. I would tell you what M3fan already said, get the gas from a busy gas station.

i saw the same show.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

[1991 318is]

Busy stations are busy because of where they're at and how easy it is to get in and out.
Lozano Brothers (engine builders) in San Antonio regularly do tests on pump gas, racing fuels, and oil looking for power. Gas constantly changes and is blended differently for winter and summer. Racing fuels are sensitive to age and evaporation.
Oil effects horsepower the most. Mobil 1 Synthetic is good for 2-3 horsepower on a 600+ horsepower SB1 small block.

[machined]

Basically what I got from the mechanics I used to work with was that Chevron w/ Techron is basically like adding a can of fuel system cleaner. It's not necessary to use it all the time, just every once in a while.

[uofom3]

that's my general go to.

I put some 76 in the e36 the other day and it's running surprisingly well.

[E30_fiend]

i always use chevron when its available to me. i work about 30 miles from my house so if i need gas by my work i ALWAYS get chevron. but if i am back at home i will put in shell because the only cheveron near me is about 5 or morwe miles away and its also about 15 to 20 cents more expensive(right in the middle of town...one of two stations) so i tend to try to always fill up at chevron, it just makes the e30 run smoother

[nkell09]

besides that, the biggest difference between fuels is the additives packages - the base fuel is pretty much all the same (all the fuel around here pretty much comes from one refinery). Additives DO make a difference.

My roommate has a buddy that drives a fuel tanker. Says he picks up the major local hub (pretty sure balt.) where the fuel is pumped from holding tank. He inputs the brand of fuel he is acquiring and then the appropriate additives are put in the fuel.... He did verify that other *namebrand* fuel trucks are refueling alongside of him, they are just getting different additives.

Not sure if this is true for all companies..... I was a bit skeptical at first, but I guess it makes sense.