Brand of gasoline

[Bavarian Motorist]

I have usually always gone for the cheapest gas I could find.


I run 93 octane and I have an ECU tune that was tuned to optimize performance using that octane.




I am not the type to fall for marketing hype (though I suppose we all do to an extent) but I hear all the time how Shell gas is great and Ferrari racing teams use it. Even at the pumps, it says, "quality fuels." Then, of course, it gives 93 octane gas a special name called "V-power".


On top of all this, it even costs more on average.



Is Shell gas better for performance? Is any brand of gas better for performance or are they more or less all the same?





Thanks!

[kabel]

have a look through this thread regarding gas and Top Tier Gasoline

[7th gear]

i had a friend, who's way into cars, tell me that all gas is pretty much the same. the differences came in where each brand adds there own special mix. he told me that he knew someone that worked for one of the refineries like shell or mobil. he went on to say there were a group of different companies all in the same location like shell, mobil, exxon and they frequently bought/sold gas from each other.

not sure i'd buy from a no name brand. i use this site as my gauge and just find the cheapest high octane on my trips: http://www.gasbuddy.com/

[Cloudsurfer]

I have mixed thoughts on this. Being that I work in marketing, I'm well aware of how companies to market to consumers, so I take anything that's marketed to me with a grain of salt.

The real differences of street motor fuels concerns their blending, and particularly, their additive package. There are better and worse street fuels.

I do know that many of the Top Tier suppliers trade fuel frequently depending upon demand and individual supply. Locally here we have a large car wash chain, that I know one of the owners, as well as a few managers at, who sells their own fuel, under their brand. Turns out they get it from a Top Tier supplier, so I am able to take advantage of lower priced fuel that is still Top Tier. That said, I am weary of buying fuel from no name locations.

I still run some BG 44K through my cars every 10k or so to help keep things clean.

Patrick

[Brucelee]

I use only Chevron. Great gas.

I used to use off-brands and had to use fuel cleaner on a regular basis.

I would stick to a Tier 1 gas if I were you.

[Bavarian Motorist]

Thanks guys.



So Sunoco-Canada is top tier but not Sunoco in the U.S.?




Unfortunately for us Yankees, NONE OF THOSE gas stations exist here aside from Shell, but there is a list of companies on there that may provide gas to other big chains so I am going to google them and see who they're associated with.





EDIT: On the Chevron site, it says they own Texaco also. So Texaco would be a top tier gas, eh?

[FrayAdjacent]

A few years ago, I only used Valero gas. Then Shell put on that commercial saying you get better mileage out of it, so on a road trip out to Phoenix, I tested it.

I started with a tank of Valero. Then I filled up with Shell.

I got about 30 miles more out of a tank of Shell than Valero. Then Shell sent me a gas credit card, so I've used Shell ever since.

[Bavarian Motorist]

I should get a Shell card. Do you get a discount on the gas, too?

[FrayAdjacent]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

I should get a Shell card. Do you get a discount on the gas, too?

Discount? Nope. But I got the card when I was doing field service, I think... which made it easy to track exactly how much I spent on gas.

[Chills]

I typically use Shell or BP. For some reason in my mind they have better gas.

For the Boxster, I try to get Mobil, BP or Shell. During the TOD trip, I used a lot of Chevron, and liked the fact that you get the Techron additive with the 93 octane.

For my wife's MB I do the about the same as above.

For the Company Explorer XLT...it gets what ever is convenient.

Overall, I go to stations that are very busy and "turn" their fuel over quickly. I think this is actually more important than actual brand. Fresh fuel...just like milk and bread!

[TriGem2k]

I only use Chevron for the Boxster. Every other car gets Costco gas.

[unklekraker]

I always use 76 Unocal station but according to Tier website, Chevron is on top. hmmmmm, should i change my gas station

[tombea]

I usually use Chevron because of the addition of the Techron. Other than that any top brand should be OK. I still follow the old adage of using a station that is has a high gas turn-over and staying away from stations that are being supplied when you are getting gas.

Tom

[Bavarian Motorist]

What does "high gas turnover" refer to?

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

What does "high gas turnover" refer to?

They delivery gas.
They sell gas.
The faster this cycle takes place, the more "turnover" they have.
High turnover equates to "fresher" gas.

[AUDIOGUY]

I always use Shell... Mostly mental, partly because of convienence... it is on the way to the office. Secondly, I would buy Sunoco... nice looking gas stations.

What are you guys paying for super these days... i paid 3.23 per gal. yesterday.

Originally Posted by AUDIOGUY

I always use Shell... Mostly mental, partly because of convienence... it is on the way to the office. Secondly, I would buy Sunoco... nice looking gas stations.

What are you guys paying for super these days... i paid 3.23 per gal. yesterday.

$3.70-$3.80/gallon

[Dr. Kill]

I usually stick with name brand gas. A while back I remember reading a newspaper story that mentioned how in NJ there was a problem with organized crime rings mixing toxic waste in with gas to dispose of it at the local gas stations they controlled. I can’t imagine that would be good for the car.

[blinkwatt]

I use 91 Chevron all of the time,not single issue to date.