Fuel Brand Preference

[Friday yet?]

Any top tier. Kwik Star is four minutes away from home. At our river house BP is convenient and also top tier.

Heads up. BP quietly dropped out of top tier about 7-8 years or so ago. Pissed me off as I bought it regularly.

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[Friday yet?]

Years ago I heard a story from a fuel delivery driver. We had a Williams Brothers pipeline terminal in our city. (not sure who owns it now).
Generic gasoline is delivered to the tank farm via pipeline. There the band specific gas formula is mixed at the semi tanker loading station as it is loaded. The driver inserts a code card and computer magic does the rest.

Pipelines are amazing technology. Various liquid products are pushed in sequence through the pipe, and tapped at the terminals with little mixing waste. So I suppose different octane levels could be delivered to the terminal. Trademark additives (remember Purple Martin's purple colored gas?) like BP Invigorate are added at the loading station.

Some say gas is gas. ....I'm thinking not so.

That is spot on. Only thing I’ll add is that there is often a bit of mix between products. Some companies buy that mix and (my term) “rerefine” it back into specific products. Back when I ran terminals one of those companies was known for its high quality fuel oil.

 

[Friday yet?]

I stick with Shell 93 octane. But it’s a pain in the ass here. Definitely not convenient. there is a real lack of other Top Tier brands close to me. Got so many Circle K’s I’m tripping on them. But won’t even put that in my mower. Did recently get a new BP. If I am in a jam I’ll buy there. But try to avoid it out of spite since they dropped out of the Top Tier program.
Due to Shell being my only real Top Tier option, I joined their club about the time I got the Ranger. Gets me a 10 cent per gallon discount.

 

[MrJ1s]

I stick with Shell 93 octane. But it’s a pain in the ass here. Definitely not convenient. there is a real lack of other Top Tier brands close to me. Got so many Circle K’s I’m tripping on them. But won’t even put that in my mower. Did recently get a new BP. If I am in a jam I’ll buy there. But try to avoid it out of spite since they dropped out of the Top Tier program.
Due to Shell being my only real Top Tier option, I joined their club about the time I got the Ranger. Gets me a 10 cent per gallon discount.

I use Shell 93 but it is a pain in the ass for me as well. (13) miles from my driveway and (5) miles from where I usually shop for essentials. I am split on why I go out of my way to use it. Detergents and additives + it is the only 93 octane available in my area. Not all of the Shell stations have 93 in Central Wisconsin as evidenced by how far I need to go to get it.

Kwik Trip is no longer Top Tier and all of them in this area (only) go as high as 91 with no alcohol.

I am also set on 93 octane because of what I have read about the Ranger's 2.3l EcoBoost ECU/OAR system that will dial up the ignition advance which eeks out more HP. Maybe that's the "placebo effect" for the driver ?‍

 

[Friday yet?]

Maybe that's s placebo effect for the driver ?‍

Nope. Fact. Also the case with my Focus ST. Ford even puts that in the manual for it.

Also fact (in my world): new wiper blades add 7 HP.

 

[MrJ1s]

Also fact (in my world): new wiper blades add 7 HP.


Cool, I have a set of Bosch Icons new in boxes waiting to be installed.

I'll get back to you on how many Gs I am pulling on acceleration when I get them on my truck.

 

[Dunedain Ranger]

Nope. Fact. Also the case with my Focus ST. Ford even puts that in the manual for it.

Also fact (in my world): new wiper blades add 7 HP.

I use Shell 93 but it is a pain in the ass for me as well. (13) miles from my driveway and (5) miles from where I usually shop for essentials. I am split on why I go out of my way to use it. Detergents and additives + it is the only 93 octane available in my area. Not all of the Shell stations have 93 in Central Wisconsin as evidenced by how far I need to go to get it.

Kwik Trip is no longer Top Tier and all of them in this area (only) go as high as 91 with no alcohol.

I am also set on 93 octane because of what I have read about the Ranger's 2.3l EcoBoost ECU/OAR system that will dial up the ignition advance which eeks out more HP. Maybe that's the "placebo effect" for the driver ?‍

I totally concur with that Mark. You are spot on.
Back on July 26, 2020, I ran this by our highly esteemed, retired Ford Ranger Engineer, sage, guru, and all around great guy Phil, and he confirmed that 93 octane will increase the HP in our 2.3L EcoBoost - reference: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/power-tune.8229/post-152967

 

[midwayfordranger2021]

I hauled gasoline for many years and only use Top Tier brands because, even though all gasolines come from the same tank, the Top Tier ones have a better additive package. I prefer Shell and Exxon/Mobil because they give price discounts when using their cards.

 

[Friday yet?]

I totally concur with that Mark. You are spot on.
Back on July 26, 2020, I ran this by our highly esteemed, retired Ford Ranger Engineer, sage, guru, and all around great guy Phil, and he confirmed that 93 octane will increase the HP in our 2.3L EcoBoost - reference: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/power-tune.8229/post-152967

Yep. Per Ford, 93 in the Focus ST gives you 252 HP. 87 provides 240. Torque remains 270 with either.

 

[5thranger]

I hauled gasoline for many years and only use Top Tier brands because, even though all gasolines come from the same tank, the Top Tier ones have a better additive package. I prefer Shell and Exxon/Mobil because they give price discounts when using their cards.

Exactly correct

 

[Ranger Mel]

76 since it is Top Tier and close to my house
Only a few cents more than Walmart and I don't have to go to Walmart!!? They have 91 as well for towing and the small engines.

 

[pismo1]

Chevron or Shell(closest to the house).I don't care about price anymore.

 

[TJC]

76 since it is Top Tier and close to my house
Only a few cents more than Walmart and I don't have to go to Walmart!!? They have 91 as well for towing and the small engines.

I was told by the owner of a 76 station that 76 bought Citgo. I use their gas, Top Tier, but noticed a small Citgo tamper tape on the pump. But I can find no proof of their statement. I am becoming increasingly suspicious of the station. Maybe they switched suppliers but were too cheap to change the signage. Citgo is listed as top tier, but I don't like funding the Government of Venezuela.

 

[Frenchy]

I was told by the owner of a 76 station that 76 bought Citgo. I use their gas, Top Tier, but noticed a small Citgo tamper tape on the pump. But I can find no proof of their statement. I am becoming increasingly suspicious of the station. Maybe they switched suppliers but were too cheap to change the signage. Citgo is listed as top tier, but I don't like funding the Government of Venezuela.

I can tell you the station owner is wrong in a way. If anything they may have bought the station, but 76 is part of Phillips 66 and Conoco.

 

[TJC]

I can tell you the station owner is wrong in a way. If anything they may have bought the station, but 76 is part of Phillips 66 and Conoco.

Yep, and they stated that Phillips 66/Conoco bought Citgo.. Which I can find no supporting evidence of that happening.

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