Different gas stations have different quality gas? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

TheProf · 07-25-2008, 11:49 AM

Hello,

I hope everyone is well.

I've heard, in the past, that some gas stations are known for carrying "inferior" gas or others are "cleaner" etc. I am not referring to the octane, but more the quality of the gas.

We moved a little while ago, so I was looking for other stations nearby to fuel up at. As I'm in Ontario, there are not as many different companies to choose from. Basically we've got:

Petro Canada
Esso
Shell
Sunoco
Pioneer
Canadian Tire

And maybe 2 or 3 other small ones.

Has anyone heard or know about this "gas quality" issue? I've heard people say they would NEVER fill at Shell because it's horrible for the car, while others will say that Esso is the worst. Is there any true behind this?

Redlemon · 07-25-2008, 12:10 PM

Regular gas is regular gas.

I used to do environmental consulting for various bulk petroleum terminals. I'd be at a Gulf terminal, and see other station trucks come to get their fuel. They don't store a Gulf gasoline and a Mobil gasoline; they just store 87 octane, 89 octane, etc. In fact, some locations only store a high and a low grade, and do a blend when delivering it to the tanker truck.

Upper grades sometimes receive different additives that also get mixed in on delivery to the trucks, but the gasoline itself is the same.

Now, it is possible that the Shell station down on your corner has some crap mixed into their storage tanks, but that isn't a problem with Shell, it's with that specific location.

jorgelito · 07-25-2008, 01:31 PM

Is there a difference? I know the gas companies will claim it. I think the only difference is the detergent they add. Other than that, it's pretty much the same thing.

So, don't over pay at the pump!

ncgti · 07-25-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

Regular gas is regular gas.

I used to do environmental consulting for various bulk petroleum terminals. I'd be at a Gulf terminal, and see other station trucks come to get their fuel. They don't store a Gulf gasoline and a Mobil gasoline; they just store 87 octane, 89 octane, etc. In fact, some locations only store a high and a low grade, and do a blend when delivering it to the tanker truck.

Upper grades sometimes receive different additives that also get mixed in on delivery to the trucks, but the gasoline itself is the same.

Now, it is possible that the Shell station down on your corner has some crap mixed into their storage tanks, but that isn't a problem with Shell, it's with that specific location.

I agree with Redlemon - the only exception is Amoco 93 Premium - it comes from an Amoco refinery. This may not still be true since Amoco was bought by BP awhile back

LoganSnake · 07-25-2008, 02:47 PM

In my 3 years of owning a car, I have used Shell 89 Octane 90% of the time. The times I have used some off brand gas station (also 89), the car performed poorer. Only times I didn't see a difference was with Mobil and bp (89).

MSD · 07-25-2008, 08:14 PM

The differences between stations are additives, ethanol content, and tank quality.

Get a station with low ethanol content, new tanks, and an aggressive detergent package? Your car will run well. Start upping the ethanol and you lose power and economy. Drop the quality of detergents and you can either see no effect, or carbon buildup (which happens if you're not tuned well or you're using gas with too high of an octane rating.) Throw old tanks into the mix and you risk pumping sediment and condensed water into your tank. In my town, Shell V-power only costs about 15 cents per gallon more (at the most, this is a few dollars per tank) and since the car requires 89 or 93, it can advance timing to improve power and efficiency. Put in 87 or the stuff Citgo pumps out of their ancient tanks with high ethanol content, and you lose power and fuel economy.

It's all about finding what works best. Compare your cost per mile from all the local stations with the octane rating your car needs, and find out what's cheapest. I can save between 1 and 10 cents per gallon on Citgo gas, but the high ethanol and old tanks pollute the mixture and drop my efficiency to the point that it offsets the cost per gallon savings. V-Power has an aggressive enough detergent package that it blows out extra carbon buildup from using 93 instead of 89 octane and keeps the injectors at peak performance, plus they have relatively new tanks that don't have the crap in them that other stations have.

Willravel · 07-25-2008, 08:41 PM

I use Chevron Supreme because I need a higher octane for my higher compression and because of the additive Techron. I've seen the effect Techron has and I know it does well on my car. I don't see myself using another gas because their additives are inferior. I also like to put in octane boost every once in a while.

MSD · 07-30-2008, 10:16 AM

I just saw that the local Mobil station is almost finished putting in new tanks, lines, and pumps. They're also the place that will batch out credit cards every day or two rather than waiting weeks and fucking with my checkbook balancing. I'm looking forward to nice, clean gas if it's cheaper than Shell.

07-25-2008, 11:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
TheProf Crazy	Different gas stations have different quality gas? Hello, I hope everyone is well. I've heard, in the past, that some gas stations are known for carrying "inferior" gas or others are "cleaner" etc. I am not referring to the octane, but more the quality of the gas. We moved a little while ago, so I was looking for other stations nearby to fuel up at. As I'm in Ontario, there are not as many different companies to choose from. Basically we've got: Petro Canada Esso Shell Sunoco Pioneer Canadian Tire And maybe 2 or 3 other small ones. Has anyone heard or know about this "gas quality" issue? I've heard people say they would NEVER fill at Shell because it's horrible for the car, while others will say that Esso is the worst. Is there any true behind this?

07-25-2008, 12:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Regular gas is regular gas. I used to do environmental consulting for various bulk petroleum terminals. I'd be at a Gulf terminal, and see other station trucks come to get their fuel. They don't store a Gulf gasoline and a Mobil gasoline; they just store 87 octane, 89 octane, etc. In fact, some locations only store a high and a low grade, and do a blend when delivering it to the tanker truck. Upper grades sometimes receive different additives that also get mixed in on delivery to the trucks, but the gasoline itself is the same. Now, it is possible that the Shell station down on your corner has some crap mixed into their storage tanks, but that isn't a problem with Shell, it's with that specific location. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

07-25-2008, 01:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Is there a difference? I know the gas companies will claim it. I think the only difference is the detergent they add. Other than that, it's pretty much the same thing. So, don't over pay at the pump! __________________ "The race is not always to the swift, nor battle to the strong, but to the one that endures to the end." "Demand more from yourself, more than anyone else could ever ask!" - My recruiter

07-25-2008, 02:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
LoganSnake We work alone Location: Cake Town	In my 3 years of owning a car, I have used Shell 89 Octane 90% of the time. The times I have used some off brand gas station (also 89), the car performed poorer. Only times I didn't see a difference was with Mobil and bp (89). __________________ Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing that you'll be an idiot in the future. Common sense is knowing that you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

07-25-2008, 08:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	The differences between stations are additives, ethanol content, and tank quality. Get a station with low ethanol content, new tanks, and an aggressive detergent package? Your car will run well. Start upping the ethanol and you lose power and economy. Drop the quality of detergents and you can either see no effect, or carbon buildup (which happens if you're not tuned well or you're using gas with too high of an octane rating.) Throw old tanks into the mix and you risk pumping sediment and condensed water into your tank. In my town, Shell V-power only costs about 15 cents per gallon more (at the most, this is a few dollars per tank) and since the car requires 89 or 93, it can advance timing to improve power and efficiency. Put in 87 or the stuff Citgo pumps out of their ancient tanks with high ethanol content, and you lose power and fuel economy. It's all about finding what works best. Compare your cost per mile from all the local stations with the octane rating your car needs, and find out what's cheapest. I can save between 1 and 10 cents per gallon on Citgo gas, but the high ethanol and old tanks pollute the mixture and drop my efficiency to the point that it offsets the cost per gallon savings. V-Power has an aggressive enough detergent package that it blows out extra carbon buildup from using 93 instead of 89 octane and keeps the injectors at peak performance, plus they have relatively new tanks that don't have the crap in them that other stations have. Last edited by MSD; 07-30-2008 at 10:14 AM..

07-25-2008, 08:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I use Chevron Supreme because I need a higher octane for my higher compression and because of the additive Techron. I've seen the effect Techron has and I know it does well on my car. I don't see myself using another gas because their additives are inferior. I also like to put in octane boost every once in a while.

07-30-2008, 10:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	I just saw that the local Mobil station is almost finished putting in new tanks, lines, and pumps. They're also the place that will batch out credit cards every day or two rather than waiting weeks and fucking with my checkbook balancing. I'm looking forward to nice, clean gas if it's cheaper than Shell.