I live near the Palmetto, but I am pretty sure that all gas sold around here is 10% ethanol. Marathon, at least in the Florida Keys, does offer a non-ethanol gasoline (older boats suffer) at some stations. I think Marlin in Key Largo is another place that advertises no ethanol.

I like to test gasolines on a lot here, but best ones I've found are Chevron, Texaco, Sunoco and surprisingly Valero.

 

I continue to use only Chervon in CA.

 

Of course you'll get better mileage if the gas doesn't contain Ethenol - it's like a filler. In IL it's unavoidable though - ALL brands of gas are required to have 10%.

 

No. Most modern gas engines are either designed for, or modified to run on, a maximum E-10 to E-15 (10-15% Ethanol). This is because of EPA mandates, plentiful supplies of ethanol in the Midwest (where concentrations of up to E85 can be run in some engines), and the fact that use of ethanol helps cut down on the demand for foreign crude oil. Ethanol burns clean, cuts emissions, actually helps clean the engine as you drive, and provides greater knock/detonation protection than pure gasoline. The down side, as previously noted, is ethanol's lower BTU energy content....it only provides about 60% of the mileage that straight gasoline does (like with the pure-ethanol cars in Brazil), requiring a larger fuel tank.

The reason that E10-E15 vehicles cannot use larger concentrations of ethanol is that it would deteriorate fuel-system components.......E85 vehicles, for instance, have different fuel-system materials than most vehicles.

 

Smart move. Shell and Chevron generally are, in general, currently the highest-quality gas brands, and have the most and best detergents. Chevron's Techroline, for example, has an excellent reputation, is rated by auto manufacturers as the current SAE standard in fuel detergents, and is actually used in some aftermarket, bottled, dump-in-the-tank fuel-system cleaners.

I strongly discourage the use of cut-brand gasolines, even if it saves a little on the gas bill. Though there may be some exceptions here and there, in general, those Smiling-Sam's Gas Station brands are cheaper for a reason.........they tend to skimp on good detergent and other additives, so continued use of them can quickly build up carbon, gunk, and contaminants in the engine and fuel-injectors. Fuel-injectors have very small holes in them, and it doesn't take much to plug them up or impede the fuel-flow. Then, when that happens, you just have to spend MORE money for a proper fuel-system cleaning (probably with Techroline) to get the engine back to normal.

At one time, Amoco and Mobil were consided the best gasoline brands, Mobil always had a very high detergent concentration in it, and Amoco was doing lead-free gas way back in the 1960's, long before it was actually required by catalytic converters in 1975. But, of course, in the meantime, both companies were bought out by competitors, and you don't really know what you are now getting with them.

 

I'm might not go as far as saying smart move. But sticking to any one of the Top Tier gasolines does insure decent additives and detergents. And I never waste money on injector cleanings through the entire ownership period of my vehicles.

I will make no claims of being a gasoline expert. We have CL members that have worked in the industry with real knowledge and experience.

 

The experts themselves at SAE, and the engineers at auto companies who design fuel systems, generally rate Chevron's Techroline and (to a lesser extent) Shell's V-Power the best additives......something that both companies play up quite a bit in their ads.

http://www.techron.com/docs/Chevron_Techron.pdf

 

Just accept it as a compliment.....in this case, well-deserved. Too many people spend good money on a car, then penny-pitch by putting junk fuel in it.....you obviously don't do that.

 

Also use chevron

 

Sams ftmfw

 

I've been using both COSTCO and Sam's low octane now for years without any signs of problem.

Both Sams and COTSCO opened stores near my house when I had an Acura TL and new BMW 330i. Since then I've had a new GS 350 and just replaced it with a 2010 ES 350 two weeks ago.

 

btw, now much cheaper per gallon is COSTCO gas, I've noticed very long lines at COSTCO pumps on several occasions? I was curious.

 

I stopped wondering how much cheaper is one gas over others a few years ago. All I remember is that COSTCO was usually the lowest priced, followed closely by SAM's.

One thing my 7th grader grandson keeps noticing is that Shell is the most expensive of all, around here.

 

I mainly try to stick with Cheveron with Techron if I can. Second choice is BP Amoco.

 

This pretty much sums up my thoughts too. If given the choice I'll head into a Shell or BP but others are OK too.