diference in fuel

[Giant]

I see posts that say "I use <this> fuel", or "I use <that> fuel". From what I understand there are a couple of factors here.

 

The first is that its not so much a matter of WHERE you get it, but of how much volume the station turns over in a said amount of time. In other words the more fuel a station sells, the better chance you are getting the freshest fuel you can.

 

Also don't all the stations get their fuel from a few major distributers so the fuel at one station should be pretty much whats at the next one?.

 

Now we could get into details about tank condition and the possibility of getting sedement and water into the fuel after its at the station, but wouldn't that just be another argument for going to a station that has a high volume. The less time the fuel sits, the less chance it has of becomming comtaminated.

 

Just a few thoughts. Curious of what you all think.

 

-Robert-

[azchevy]

I see posts that say "I use <this> fuel", or "I use <that> fuel".  From what I understand there are a couple of factors here. 

 

The first is that its not so much a matter of WHERE you get it, but of how much volume the station turns over in a said amount of time.  In other words the more fuel a station sells, the better chance you are getting the freshest fuel you can.

 

Also don't all the stations get their fuel from a few major distributers so the fuel at one station should be pretty much whats at the next one?.

 

Now we could get into details about tank condition and the possibility of getting sedement and water into the fuel after its at the station, but wouldn't that just be another argument for going to a station that has a high volume.  The less time the fuel sits, the less chance it has of becomming comtaminated.

 

Just a few thoughts.  Curious of what you all think.

 

-Robert-

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

all fuel is the same. each station adds their own additives to make it "theirs"

 

 

"My gas isn't better for your car; it's just more expensive." Oil companies spend lots of money explaining why their gas is better than the competition's. Chevron's gas, for example, is fortified with "Techron," and Amoco Ultimate is supposed to save the planet along with your engine. But today more than ever, one gallon of gas is as good as the next.

 

True, additives help to clean your engine, but what the companies don't tell you is that all gas does so. Since 1994 the government has required that detergents be added to all gasoline to help prevent fuel injectors from clogging. State and local regulators keep a close watch to make sure those standards are met; in Florida inspectors checked 45,000 samples last year to ensure the state's gas supply was up to snuff, and 99% of the time it was. "There's little difference between brand-name gas and any other," says AAA spokesperson Geoff Sundstrom.

 

What's more, your local Chevron station may sell gas refined by Shell or Exxon Mobil. Suppliers share pipelines, so they all use the same fuel. And the difference between the most expensive brand-name gas and the lowliest gallon of no-brand fuel? Often just a quart of detergent added to an 8,000-gallon tanker truck."

[pm26]

While what you are saying is true, the risk of fueling your truck at cheap discount no brand name places is that these places may pump excess amount of additives which are cheaper than gasoline into their tanks. This was a widespread problem in the late 80's when unscrupulous gas station owners would pump excessive amount of ethanol or methanol into their tanks after the fuel delivery. Many motorists had their fuel injectors ruined as a result of this.

 

I do not know if this is still going on today, but they may be using other cheaper additives that cannot be good for your engine. I found that brand name fuels, such as BP or Mobil work best for me. And I run my truck on 89 octane. It seems to respond better to throttle and gets about 1 MPG more than with 87. So it costs me the same as running it on 87 and I get bettter performance.

 

 

I have been running my '99 Mazda 626 V6 exclusively on 93 octane brand name fuel (mostly BP and Mobil) since new. Now at 161k miles, not a single O2 sensor has been replaced to date, the original catalytic converter is still in place, no emission engine codes to date, and the engine runs strong as new. When I changed the plugs last, I could see the tops of pistons and there were virtually no carbon deposits. When I had the valve covers off at 105k miles, I did not see any signs of any sludge or deposits anywhere. Of course, I change the oil every 3k miles, and use only OEM oil filters and Castrol GTX 10W30 dino oil. And I pour a bottle of Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner into my gas tank about every 5k miles. I stick with what works for me.

[C & A s Dad]

Let me begin by saying that I am no expert on this but I firmly believe there is a difference in fuels. It is my opinion that no name fuels do not contain the same level or quality of additives as the name brand "top tier" fuels. Yes, they all carry the minimum required by the govt but it is my understanding that the better brands go beyond the govt regulations and offer more and better detergents. Chevron for example offers Techron which is not avail in gas bought at Wal Mart.

 

One of the guys that worked for me used no name gas almost all the time in a his Caravan and at 65K miles, he burned a valve due to a plugged injector. The Tech that repaired it called me to come down and look at the combustion chambers and valves. I could not believe it, they were a mess with tons of carbon build up. Before I said anything the Tech said " I bet he is using the cheapest fuel he can find." He was right. Maybe there were other circumstances that caused the build up, I cannot say for sure.

 

I also read an article in Car & Driver about 3 months ago that stated there were differences in the additive packages.

 

I am a Chevron user because I know what Techron can do when it is added to an engine that has carbon build up. Where I live, there is only a few cents difference between Wal Mart Fuel and Chevron, so I just don't take any chances.

 

Just my .02.

[jhm]

Only buy generic fuel if you are returning a loaner/rental.

[C & A s Dad]

Only buy generic fuel if you are returning a loaner/rental.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

I agree 100% but was hesitant to be quite so vocal with my reply.

[ken1mod]

The reports of no carbon and good engine life are typical and completely to be expected.

 

I ran a fleet in Phoenix and saw this on no name gas all the time.

 

ken

[pm26]

The reports of no carbon and good engine life are typical and completely to be expected.

 

I ran a fleet in Phoenix and saw this on no name gas all the time.

 

ken

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Let me say this: every time I go to my Mazda dealer to buy oil filters and such, I hear service advisers on the phone telling people why they have to spend $ 1,000 on replacing oxygen sensors, catalytic coverter,injector cleaning, and invariably they are being told to use brand name good qualitty fuel. Being cheap is risky business and it can cost you dearly in the long run. But some people wil never listen.

[Giant]

Now I know about Chevron, Mobile, etc... but for anyone in the Norther VA / DC area.... What about WaWa? Reminds of Kwik-Trip in Wisconsin.

 

Descent fuel?... they are all over the place.

[DayUSeX]

hm wonder about safeway gas. I get that becuase its always like 30-40 cents cheaper than anything else around.

[pm26]

Now I know about Chevron, Mobile, etc... but for anyone in the Norther VA / DC area.... What about WaWa?  Reminds of Kwik-Trip in Wisconsin.

 

Descent fuel?... they are all over the place.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I would use it only in a WaWa car or truck.

[Chestah]

My dad works for the Louisiana Department of Weights and Measures. He basically checks that the pumps themselves are giving the said amount of gas (sometimes less, sometimes more). Also he tests octane to ensure it's the said number.

 

From what I understand MurphyUSA (Wal-Mart), places the least amount of additives to their fuel. He tells me that I am safe with name brand (Exxon, Chevron, Texaco).

 

Also there are many factors isolated to the station itself, such as rust and possible foreign liquids inside the fuel.

 

EDIT: My dad recently recieved a gas complaint from a station that had Diesel in the Super unleaded. So basically you need to be able to trust the station itself, and the brand that supplies the fuel.

[fossil]

Check this out and you'll see why there is a difference:

 

http://www.toptiergas.com/

[C & A s Dad]

In my part of the country, these are the major brands that I trust.

 

Chevron / Texaco Now the same company and both use Techron as an additive.

BP / Amoco Again the same companies.

Shell

Mobil / Exxon Same companies

 

We also have Connoco which I would consider a major brand but I began running it in the Caravan that I travel in for work and my MPG dropped a smooth 2 MPG. It was coming from a Flying J truck stop that was at least 8 cents cheaper than all the other stations around it. Maybe it was not the Connoco fuel but something with the station.

 

Although I have no problem using any of the above, I choose to use only Chevron in my personal Truck and use it in my work van as long as it is avail where I am traveling.

[Giant]

kwick trip (which is available in WI where I'm from) is Top Tier, so that will be good when I go home for the holidays.

 

Here in Norther VA though. I'll have to start looking for a Chevron around here.

 

Safeway sells gas? I thought they were a grocery store? Or, they are around here.

 

As far as walmart goes, don't get me started on that, but there is NO way I'm letting any fluid in any way, shape, or form from that place be put in any of my vehicles. The only thing I MIGHT buy there are socks.