does gas brand matter for performance?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,205
Likes: 219
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I don't think CARB (California Air Resources Board) allows 93 octane. CA has specialized fuel requirements that, for the most part, are different from any other state..........one reason why gas is so expensive there. Oil companies have to produce special-blend fuels for just CA, so you run into economies of scale.
As to the original question, all gas brands are NOT the same. Cheap, cut-rate brands usually lack a good detergent additives to keep gum and carbon from building up. So you save a few cents per gallon up front, just to have to turn around and spend money for fuel system cleaners down the road.....and risk engine stalling from clogged injectors. Just stick with Shell and Chevron (if they are available in your area) and you generally won't won't have any gasoline-related problems. If not, use BP, Exxon, Sunoco, etc....or any other major name-brands available, although BP can be very expensive. I'd also avoid Citgo, even though it is a major name brand, not because of the gas itself, but because of politics......Citgo is state-owned by Venezuela, and at least part of the money just goes into that moron Chavez's pocket.
As to the original question, all gas brands are NOT the same. Cheap, cut-rate brands usually lack a good detergent additives to keep gum and carbon from building up. So you save a few cents per gallon up front, just to have to turn around and spend money for fuel system cleaners down the road.....and risk engine stalling from clogged injectors. Just stick with Shell and Chevron (if they are available in your area) and you generally won't won't have any gasoline-related problems. If not, use BP, Exxon, Sunoco, etc....or any other major name-brands available, although BP can be very expensive. I'd also avoid Citgo, even though it is a major name brand, not because of the gas itself, but because of politics......Citgo is state-owned by Venezuela, and at least part of the money just goes into that moron Chavez's pocket.
I don't think CARB (California Air Resources Board) allows 93 octane. CA has specialized fuel requirements that, for the most part, are different from any other state..........one reason why gas is so expensive there. Oil companies have to produce special-blend fuels for just CA, so you run into economies of scale.
As to the original question, all gas brands are NOT the same. Cheap, cut-rate brands usually lack a good detergent additives to keep gum and carbon from building up. So you save a few cents per gallon up front, just to have to turn around and spend money for fuel system cleaners down the road.....and risk engine stalling from clogged injectors. Just stick with Shell and Chevron (if they are available in your area) and you generally won't won't have any gasoline-related problems. If not, use BP, Exxon, Sunoco, etc....or any other major name-brands available, although BP can be very expensive. I'd also avoid Citgo, even though it is a major name brand, not because of the gas itself, but because of politics......Citgo is state-owned by Venezuela, and at least part of the money just goes into that moron Chavez's pocket.
As to the original question, all gas brands are NOT the same. Cheap, cut-rate brands usually lack a good detergent additives to keep gum and carbon from building up. So you save a few cents per gallon up front, just to have to turn around and spend money for fuel system cleaners down the road.....and risk engine stalling from clogged injectors. Just stick with Shell and Chevron (if they are available in your area) and you generally won't won't have any gasoline-related problems. If not, use BP, Exxon, Sunoco, etc....or any other major name-brands available, although BP can be very expensive. I'd also avoid Citgo, even though it is a major name brand, not because of the gas itself, but because of politics......Citgo is state-owned by Venezuela, and at least part of the money just goes into that moron Chavez's pocket.
FWIW, I ran ARCO fuel in California for years and never suffered any of the issues you describe here. ARCO was the cheapest of cheap.
Yeah this topic has been covered many times especially over last several months. I've been using Sunoco faithfully over last few years but after finding out that it's not a "top-tier" gas company, I've decided to use Shell's V-Power 93. Call me crazy but the car does feel even more smoother since I made the switch like a month ago. Helps to have a clean air filter too; cleaned my K&M today.
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 543
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From: NYC
Just stick with Shell and Chevron (if they are available in your area) and you generally won't won't have any gasoline-related problems. If not, use BP, Exxon, Sunoco, etc....or any other major name-brands available, although BP can be very expensive. I'd also avoid Citgo, even though it is a major name brand, not because of the gas itself, but because of politics......Citgo is state-owned by Venezuela, and at least part of the money just goes into that moron Chavez's pocket.
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lserlohn
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May 27, 2015 09:17 AM
