Gasoline comparison

[eco]

Is one kind of gasoline really any better than another?

More specifically, is Chevron "regular" better or any different than 76 "regular"? Is Shell "premium" any better than Chevron "premium".

I have always heard that places like Arco and Space Age seem to sell the worst gas and have always avoided them. But, in terms of my Pontiac grocery getter, I have always used whatever is most convenient and I have never put much thought into which gas to use other than avoiding the Arco and Space Age.

Now that I am about to fire up the Van, I will try to find what is "best" and stick to it exclusively.

 

[surewhynot]

I don't know if it's true or not, but I've heard that sometimes a station will buy other brands of gas than the brand they are.

 

[Skandocious]

I actually fill up at Arco almost exclusively, and it makes me feel guilty cuz I've heard the same crap about their gas... But here in Davis, the difference between Arco and Chevron prices is HUGE. At the moment --- Arco 87 = $4.19, and Chevron 87 = $4.55ish.

Is there really CONCLUSIVE studies that say Arco gas is no good? I've only heard speculation...

 

[surewhynot]

In my opinion, if it doesn't detonate, it doesn't have water in it, and it doesn't have a lot of trash in it, then why worry?

 

[eco]

Also, when I say "better", I am referring to the additive pack, how "watered down" the gas is, BTU content etc.

Surely not all gas is created equal.

 

[eco]

In my opinion, if it doesn't detonate, it doesn't have water in it, and it doesn't have a lot of trash in it, then why worry?

Well, for example I have heard stories about someone that used 76 excusively for a few years then switched Shell. With the 76 he got 22 MPG consistantly and after the switch it dropped to 18 MPG. He switced back and got 22 MPG again. Maybe the moral of the story is that if you use one gas for a long time, then stick with it. But, something isn't the same.

Also, not all gas has the same additives...ie Chevron with "techron". Maybe it's just marketing....I'm not sure though.

 

[Mil1ion]

Yes there are different grades of gasoline.

Shell for one puts things in theirs that others don't.
Same with ESSO.

Insert US names for the above .

 

[Skandocious]

ie Chevron with "techron". Maybe it's just marketing BS.

Thats what I wonder too...

 

[surewhynot]

NOt sure on that one. I imagine that the additive packages are proprietary though.

 

[TheRoadVirus]

I've always liked Sunoco, I don't know why. Likely just the name, lol!

 

[eco]

Shell V-Power is another one that I wonder about...

From what I can tell just by reading around, the EPA has legal limits as to how much detergent has to be in the gas. The dirt cheap gas has the minimum to get by plus it is deluted. The "higher end" gas has higher levels of detergent and is not deluted.

Shell claims that their regular and plus has twice the legal minimum of detergent while the V-Power has 5 times the minimum as well as the higher octane. I also read about V-Power returning better MPGs.

 

[CaFordDude]

I'll preface this by first saying I have never worked for any type of gas company.

That being said, when I was with SDPD I helped with Terrorisim target assesment (assesing targets and making contigency plans). In our area we had the gas distribution depot for San Diego County.

See link...It is all the little white circles on the bottom of the screen.
http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=32.792449&lon=-117.118723&z=16.5&r=0&src=msa

Anyways the info they gave us is that the tanks, ALL of them, are filled by a single pipeline from Long Beach (8ft in diameter). the pipe fills every tank on that property no matter who they are owned by.
1 day is low grade unleaded, 1 day is high grade unleaded and 1 day is mid grade unleaded. They don't do diesel every week as they have to clean the pipe each time after they run diesel through it.

The ONLY difference between Arco, Shell, Chevron etc is the type of fuel additives that are added and those are dumped into the truck after it is filled.

Don't know if that answers anyones question or if I am just post whoring.

 

[eco]

The ONLY difference between Arco, Shell, Chevron etc is the type of fuel additives that are added and those are dumped into the truck after it is filled.

So the base fuel is the same, but some dillute after the fill up and they all have their own signature additive. Thats basically what I gathered by reading around.