Does It Matter Where I Get Gas From?
Been Around A Long Time Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 999
RE: Does It Matter Where I Get Gas From?
No, it is nationally mandated that all gas manufacturers being imported or domestic to the US have the exact same detergents... Companies like Chevron claim to use detergents that are higher than the gov'ts standards, but I've read many articles that disprove this easily in many burn and resin tests.
A quote from a FAQ about Gas Stations:
If there even is a difference, it's so minimal that you will never see any evidence that it's real.
A quote from a FAQ about Gas Stations:
"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.
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.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 251
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RE: Does It Matter Where I Get Gas From?
Also keep in mind that the bigger companys mandate that there stations change there station tanks every certain amount of years were the no name stations dont. In mycounty they did an inspection on random gas stations and found out that Empire had a large amount water in 8 stations. May be a local incident who knows. I know when we headed to the track all of use fueled up at Sunoco or Shell because thats what our cars ran best on. If you have a chance talk to an engine builder and see what they recommend.
Unregistered
Posts: n/a
RE: Does It Matter Where I Get Gas From?
There is a difference in gasoline quality, I assure you this.
I ONLY buy gas from Mobil, BP, and Shell.
While all gasoline does have in GENERAL the same basic detergents to begin with, companies like BP, Shell, and Mobil go above and beyond the govt minimums. I prefer to keep my fuel injectors clean and reduce sludge. Maybe a penny more for name brand gasoline to prevent expensive bills makes sense to me.
If you dont believe me, do this.
Fill your ENTIRE tank twice with a crap gas like Freedom or Qik-n-easy. Then record your gas mileage/driving habbits and where you drive. Do the same for a quality gas like Mobil, BP, or Shell,and you will notice there is quite a big. difference in terms of MPG.
Also, generic crap gas is cheaper. Gas stations dont make any noteable profits of gasoline, especially with high gas prices and credit card company fees. They make roughly 3 cents for every gallon of gas, and possibly less if a CC is used. Now, by having a cheaper gas, on gas that already makes barely any profit, you know there has to be a difference in input cost factors (detergents). It really is as simple as that. 95% of stations here in the midwest lets you know gasoline can contain up to 10% ethanol, and I am willing to bet money that cheaper gas uses that full 10%. Ethanol is cheaper, and burns more quickly w/ less energy resulting in less MPG.
If you dont believe me thats fine. You are free to choose your own gasoline. Just be warned there is a difference and the effects could be costly whether its a repair bill or mpg.
I ONLY buy gas from Mobil, BP, and Shell.
While all gasoline does have in GENERAL the same basic detergents to begin with, companies like BP, Shell, and Mobil go above and beyond the govt minimums. I prefer to keep my fuel injectors clean and reduce sludge. Maybe a penny more for name brand gasoline to prevent expensive bills makes sense to me.
If you dont believe me, do this.
Fill your ENTIRE tank twice with a crap gas like Freedom or Qik-n-easy. Then record your gas mileage/driving habbits and where you drive. Do the same for a quality gas like Mobil, BP, or Shell,and you will notice there is quite a big. difference in terms of MPG.
Also, generic crap gas is cheaper. Gas stations dont make any noteable profits of gasoline, especially with high gas prices and credit card company fees. They make roughly 3 cents for every gallon of gas, and possibly less if a CC is used. Now, by having a cheaper gas, on gas that already makes barely any profit, you know there has to be a difference in input cost factors (detergents). It really is as simple as that. 95% of stations here in the midwest lets you know gasoline can contain up to 10% ethanol, and I am willing to bet money that cheaper gas uses that full 10%. Ethanol is cheaper, and burns more quickly w/ less energy resulting in less MPG.
If you dont believe me thats fine. You are free to choose your own gasoline. Just be warned there is a difference and the effects could be costly whether its a repair bill or mpg.
Unregistered
Posts: n/a
RE: Does It Matter Where I Get Gas From?
Its not so much performance as it is MPG. It might take a few times to notice it, but there is a difference. I personally have tested Freedom/Thortons gasoline vs. BP/Shell/Mobils gasoline.
http://www.toptiergas.com/
and heres one that has both sides http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...gas-usat_N.htm
I'll stick w/ my name brand.
http://www.toptiergas.com/
and heres one that has both sides http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...gas-usat_N.htm
I'll stick w/ my name brand.
Been Around A Long Time Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,213
From: Wayne, NJ
RE: Does It Matter Where I Get Gas From?
I avoid Exxon/Mobile for ethical reasons. Also, when I do have to use their gas, it seems to burn up faster. Lastly, my grandfather used to own an Esso station and he had my mother and her sisters use Texaco gas ..... I wonder why?