WHAT BRAND OF GAS?

I've used Rotten Robbie, Gas America, and other no-names. Generally I go with Chevron over Shell as I like the colors better.

If you're really concerned, use some Redline SW-1 or Swepco 503 with your gas.

--Dan

 

IMO, Chevron's 91 is the best gas out there... I've seen pictures of *oooolllllddddd* injectors that have had nothing but Techron run through 'em, and they looked brand new. That was enough for me. It doesn't hurt that there's a Chevron near me whose prices are almost always 3-7 cents cheaper than the competition, too.

Shell is fine. For a period of about 6 months or so (back when gas prices *first* started creeping up) last year, I even used Costco's gas in my DD and the wife's car - no problems.

Best -

 

From a marketing perspective, it's better to say that the gas is recommended by [insert whatever company sells the most cars right now]. If they say the gas is recommended by Ferrari, etc. it will probably spark a round of jokes about why the gas is so expensive or something.

 

I completely agree. Chevron is where it's at. Everything else is just Isopropyl alcohol(rubbing alcohol).

 

I prefer 76 because they use ethanol instead of the hideous MTBE to oxygenate their gas. Chevron would be my second choice.

 

Chevron 91 is my choice;

but I have used arco; quickstop; rotten robbie; shell; 76; costco...

I don't really notice a difference with them excet for the costco gas; sometimes my idle is rough;

This is on a new s.u.v so I am pretty sure it's not a tune-up..

I also used a fuel system cleaner once a year on my cars.

 

Chevron here as well. Next is 76...Shell is my last choice.

 

What you saw was a new rating called "Top tier" and was developed at the behest of several car companies who got tired of spending huge quantities of money on warranty repairs due to poor quality gas. The federal gov has had regulations for it for years but as always, feel good legislation was passed to convince us all that the problem is being addressed by our ever watchful representatives in the 22 (?) square miles surronded by reality called Washington DC, and it has never been enforced. The car companies have taken matters into their own hands and the gas companies are going along because they see it as an excuse to increase revenues.

At this point is is for the most part marketing hype.


Gas is very inconsistant and if you ever have a vehicle tuned to the point it is very finiky about gas quality you will find one day Rotten Robbie is the Ne Plus Ultra of fuel, the next it is Chevron. Pay your money and take your chances. I personally go for the low price, the sign on the pump is for the most part there for placebo effect.

I used to have a client that was a petro chemical engineer for Chevron Research and when he filled up his car he went for the low price as well, he had no brand loyalty. He told me they were really all the same and I have never found evidence to the contrary.


P.S. The named car companies are doing that at their expense. Ferrari won't put their name on anything unless they get a very big check and I doubt Chevron is sending them one any time soon, and Shell, I think that well is already being tapped as hard as possible.

 

That is a correct statement; I’ve read the same info as well. What most people who buy gasoline do not know, is that the chrome tanker trucks that refill the stations come from the same place. No other place is that true, than in West Sacramento for example. I made an observation while doing a job out that way. Large white tanks several stories high hold the gasoline, you’ve probably seen these in the movies or know what they look like if you ever passed through Martinez on 680. In this particular group of white tanks were the various grades of gasoline clearly marked at the base of the tanks. Just next to those tanks were two fairly large tanks marked “Ethanol” Which is obvious to me, that they mix a part of gasoline with that garbage I call rubbing alcohol. The chrome tanker trucks filling up from that area were Arco, 76 and some other no-name trucks. In the same area within its own chain link fence and seperate entrance for the chrome tanker trucks was the Chevron facility. No ethanol tanks in their compound.

 

I was in Germany last Oct and the Shells there use the Cavalino in their flyers, not just a prancing horse, the Cavalino on the front of all of our cars. I grabbed a couple but not sure where I put them.

 

I think that Shell V-Power is the best for exotics...it it more explosive when it is burt. The idle seems much better with V-Power, but I always trust Chevron and use nothing but Chevron.

 

What is this substantiated by?

A friend of mine owns a few shell stations. He confessed to watering down gas. YMMV.

--Dan

 

My understanding is that every gas company buys gas from the same Norcal refineries. I would also think if there were truly a major difference, there would be warranty exclusions for using certain brands of gas.

 

That's because they're still using MTBE


"....... a colorful brochure that Chevron created to explain MTBE did carefully state on one page that MTBE was capable of eating away polymers. Polymers are used in everything from car fuel lines to the newly-required gas storage tanks. Now there are reports that due to MTBE's corrosive effect on such modern-day chemicals, fiberglass particles from the new gas storage tanks are being found inside our cars' gas tanks!"

http://www.coastalpost.com/99/2/2.htm

This is a really old article, but it has information on MTBE. It's corrosive effects are a primary reason I try to avoid gas stations still using it. It's been verified and I'm sure we've all seen the gas stations closed in the past for the replacement of their underground storage tanks.

I'll stick with 76 and it's Ethanol blend, rubbing alcohol or not.

 

Hey, I love that stuff!

Admittedly, I did not know the corrosive effects of MTBE. I am aware that straight Methanol is not a metal friendly fuel, as discovered by Dick Rutan in his Pond Racer. I was currious and dug in my archives to find my car owners manual for my 3000GT to see what they reccommend. Honestly, who really reads the fine print on gasoline to use? Here's what Mitsubishi writes for my car:

Oxygenated Gasoline
Some gasolines at some service stations contain oxygenates such as ethanol, methanol, and MTBE(Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether), although they may not be so identified. The use of fuels containing oxygenates is not recommended unless the nature of the blend can be determined as being satisfactory.

on the same page...

MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)
A mixture of 15% or less MTBE and unleaded gasoline may be used in your car, provided the octane rating is at least high as that reccommended for unleaded gasoline

Now I found that quite interesting. I know MTBE is scheduled to be phased out here in the future, but I'm also currious to read what percentage Chevron blends currently. I will still use it.

When it comes the point where all of California fuels will be rubbing alcohol blended, then I can honestly say that it will come down to price and whether or not I still want to continue to use Chevron with its Techron cleaning additives.

 

I pick gas station based on price, cleaniness and location convenience. As long as it's a Chevron, Shell, 76, Mobil.

On my DD, I use Costco when possible. Just go there early to avoid lines. Lawrence Costco is 20 cents cheaper.