Do you find different brands of gasoline make a difference?

[paval3]

Not in octane, but in brand? I usually get Exxon 93 octane but 2 weeks ago I stopped at a Sheetz (not sure if there are Sheetz stores nationwide, but they're like an upper end quick mart) and put in their 93 octane and I definitely saw a difference in mpg... like 3 mpg lower. Now last gas up was Exxon 93 and mpg is back to what I'm used to. I should mention this was all driving the same daily route to and from work, same driving conditions.

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[mr.wonderful]

I remember, living in California 5 years ago, that the Arco stations were usually the cheapest around.

What I remember as well, is in my old Subaru, and my parents old Subaru, that running fuel from Arco, the cars not only ran like crap, but mileage would drop considerably.

I think a lot of it comes from the additive packages each station adds. Arco is supposedly top tier, and cleans very well (which doesn't do jack for us being DI), but dang, saving 20 cents a gallon but having to fill up faster didn't level out very well

 

[CCPLuvr]

Here locally nearly all our fuel comes from a single location. The only difference is the additive package for the different brands.

 

[Squatchranger]

Not in octane, but in brand? I usually get Exxon 93 octane but 2 weeks ago I stopped at a Sheetz (not sure if there are Sheetz stores nationwide, but they're like an upper end quick mart) and put in their 93 octane and I definitely saw a difference in mpg... like 3 mpg lower. Now last gas up was Exxon 93 and mpg is back to what I'm used to. I should mention this was all driving the same daily route to and from work, same driving conditions.

not a gas expert by any means but as far as I know exxon is among the better quality gas wise I think a lot does come down to the additives each puts in, I saw a thing where a guy who owns a gas station was saying that regardless of brand with some exceptions all the gas comes from the same place its just the additives that get added when the truck is filled up that is the difference. Is it possible the sheetz gas was higher in ethanol? That could do it too

 

[Dgc333]

Gasoline is a commodity that is sold and traded back and forth between oil companies. Gasoline refined by Exxon/Mobil is likely to be sold to Shell then stored in distribution tanks owned by Citgo. Then every gasoline station in the area gets there gas from this distribution center whether it is Texaco, BP or Joe's Speedy Gas. The only difference between the brands is the detergent additives that are added above and beyond the government mandated minimums.

In my 50+ years of driving I have never noticed a difference between brands other than on the rare occasion getting bad gas. The best way to avoid bad gas is get your fuel a a busy station that turns over it's inventory quickly verse a station that has gas sitting in the tanks for days or weeks.

I would much rather get my gas at Joe's Speedy Gas that has a tanker coming every day than the Mobil/Exxon station across the street that only sees a tanker once every week or so.

 

[CB750F]

A long, long time ago I found a difference with older cars, 70/80 models. As mentioned above,
all gas comes from same refiner around here. If that's not the case with your area stay with
top tier stations(google to find out).

 

[Squatchranger]

A long, long time ago I found a difference with older cars, 70/80 models. As mentioned above,
all gas comes from same refiner around here. If that's not the case with your area stay with
top tier stations(google to find out).

Yeah top tier makes a big difference, and if nothing else for engine longevity is worth the price

 

[deleriumtremor]

The only variables are seasonal blend and actual Ethanol content. One season versus another will make a measurable difference. The actual Ethanol content can also make a slight difference (say 2% vs 10%, where both signs say up to 10%).

That's all folks.

 

[paval3]

I would much rather get my gas at Joe's Speedy Gas that has a tanker coming every day than the Mobil/Exxon station across the street that only sees a tanker once every week or so.

The Sheetz is near a huge hospital complex and industrial park and sits on a main highway. The Exxon I go to is at an interstate exchange. I tend to think the Sheetz is a busy gas up station but probably not as busy as the Exxon which is at an Interstate 80 exit. The Exxon is on my way home if I go the round about way, so even though a little out of the way, I think I'm sticking with that station here on out.

 

[Trigganometry]

Top tier gas is the premium offered. Anything else is manufacturer seconds. Water content, cleanliness, ingredients all play into this. When you fillup with “cheap gas” yes you do get a savings but that will play out to lower mileage, engine deposits, sub par performance and tendency to knock too.

You can get top tier at discount places like Costco though. An internet search of your local will tell you quickly who is and isn’t rated and then just stick with the good stuff. Over the long run less headaches and better mileage

 

[Squatchranger]

Top tier gas is the premium offered. Anything else is manufacturer seconds. Water content, cleanliness, ingredients all play into this. When you fillup with “cheap gas” yes you do get a savings but that will play out to lower mileage, engine deposits, sub par performance and tendency to knock too.

You can get top tier at discount places like Costco though. An internet search of your local will tell you quickly who is and isn’t rated and then just stick with the good stuff. Over the long run less headaches and better mileage

Yeah and just like with other things you should never go for sloppy seconds lol, that can give you some unwanted deposits as well

 

[deleriumtremor]

Yeah and just like with other things you should never go for sloppy seconds lol, that can give you some unwanted deposits as well

Oh yeah, I left that out Top Tier, contrary to internet pundits who want to sound like they know something and say it is a marketing gimmick, is a thing and does make a difference (although I suspect in a long range test, not that much in MPG, but in engine life, which of course doesn't matter like an extra MPG. )

Ask anyone actually in the refining business (not someone who says on the internet they are in the refining business) if Top Tier matters.

 

[deleriumtremor]

Yeah and just like with other things you should never go for sloppy seconds lol, that can give you some unwanted deposits as well

Oh jeez, I just saw the posts on Top Tier before me, I think the AI in my iPhone and iPad are talking and the results are not good. This might get ugly.

 

[Squatchranger]

Oh jeez, I just saw the posts on Top Tier before me, I think the AI in my iPhone and iPad are talking and the results are not good. This might get ugly.

better buckle up lol

 

[Progeny2021]

I don't think one could go wrong with the highest octane, top tier motor fuel available. I for one, despise corn liquor blended into my motor fuel so I will add the prescribed amount of ethanol treatment whenever I'm forced (very rare) to use E10 - want nothing to do with E15.

Fortunately, non ethanol blended motor fuels are available here in the Carolinas, although 93 E0 can be difficult to find. E0 motor fuels only have the bare minimum detergent package as required by law, so I usually add a bottle of Lucas Fuel Treatment to every other tank.

https://www.pure-gas.org

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