What brand of fuel are you using?
07-02-18, 09:06 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
What brand of fuel are you using?
Sitting in line for costco gas I decided to check and see why it is I felt like I was cheating out on my car by not paying extra to go to Shell or Chevron. I have always, always, gone to Chevron and possibly Shell as my secondary.
I read a couple interesting articles (long line for Costco gas) and followed up on it later.
From what I gathered, gas is essentially the same until the companies, or brands, add detergents to the fuel. Adding "extra" detergent (more than required by law) makes the fuel "top tier" gas.
Based on a study by AAA, using top tier gas results in 19 times fewer intake valve deposits than non top tier gas. As well as other long term cleaner engine benefits.
I'm located in southern California and realize fuel brands vary across the country, and internationally.
But, what brands are you using and what can you add to this topic on fuel quality?
Here is a list of these top tier fuel brands. Do you think each is as good as the other? Some cheaper places I would never go are listed here and I'm just curious what your takes are on it.
Top Tier Licensed Brands
I read a couple interesting articles (long line for Costco gas) and followed up on it later.
From what I gathered, gas is essentially the same until the companies, or brands, add detergents to the fuel. Adding "extra" detergent (more than required by law) makes the fuel "top tier" gas.
Based on a study by AAA, using top tier gas results in 19 times fewer intake valve deposits than non top tier gas. As well as other long term cleaner engine benefits.
I'm located in southern California and realize fuel brands vary across the country, and internationally.
But, what brands are you using and what can you add to this topic on fuel quality?
Here is a list of these top tier fuel brands. Do you think each is as good as the other? Some cheaper places I would never go are listed here and I'm just curious what your takes are on it.
Top Tier Licensed Brands
07-02-18, 09:19 PM
#3
Pole Position
Yup have always used top tier gas. In my case, I ALWAYS use Shell. Almost all of the top tier gas brands use quite a bit of detergent, but other than that there’s no way of telling what exactly would make one premium better than the other. I use Shell because I like the science behind their V Power Nitro+ formula supposedly not only does it reduce deposits, it also protects from wear and corrosion with certain additives in their formula. Once again this is assuming it’s really true, but they provide proof and stuff so it must be at least partly true. Oh also over here in the South we get 93 octane not 91 like on the west coast (lived in San Diego for half my life) which really has almost no added benefit but I would imagine it protects even more from premature fuel detonation.
Last edited by Flash5; 07-02-18 at 09:30 PM.
07-03-18, 08:54 AM
#7
drives cars
I use Costco and Quiktrip, mostly. I'll go to BP if others aren't available. I used Valero a few times as well. Honestly I am not too picky about it, and I haven't noticed any difference. The only tangible difference I felt was when using ethanol-free gas at a Sinclair, when I swear it felt more responsive at low RPM. Could have been due to the several hours of driving I had done that day though.
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07-03-18, 08:57 AM
#8
Pole Position
I use Costco and Quiktrip, mostly. I'll go to BP if others aren't available. I used Valero a few times as well. Honestly I am not too picky about it, and I haven't noticed any difference. The only tangible difference I felt was when using ethanol-free gas at a Sinclair, when I swear it felt more responsive at low RPM. Could have been due to the several hours of driving I had done that day though.
07-03-18, 09:12 AM
#9
drives cars
You can find ethanol free gas here: https://www.pure-gas.org/
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Flash5 (07-03-18)
07-03-18, 09:13 AM
#10
Pole Position
True. I tried using ethanol-free gas again later and couldn't replicate that difference though. Maybe it wasn't as ethanol-free as advertised?
You can find ethanol free gas here: https://www.pure-gas.org/
You can find ethanol free gas here: https://www.pure-gas.org/
07-03-18, 09:22 AM
#11
Racer
Thread Starter
07-03-18, 09:25 AM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
I use whatever is closer. I use Shell if I can though. But where I live, work, and my commute, Shell usually isn't a choice--too much out of the way. So I end up using Chevron 90% of the time.
07-03-18, 09:28 AM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
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Here in the great white north my brand is Shell. I'm surrounded by 3 of them, but have used Shell in all my Toyota/Lexus for years and years, no matter where I lived.
For the IS I use Gold, which is ethanol free, and their highest grade available. Thankfully I don't drive much lol!
For the IS I use Gold, which is ethanol free, and their highest grade available. Thankfully I don't drive much lol!
07-03-18, 09:55 AM
#15
Pole Position
Here in the great white north my brand is Shell. I'm surrounded by 3 of them, but have used Shell in all my Toyota/Lexus for years and years, no matter where I lived.
For the IS I use Gold, which is ethanol free, and their highest grade available. Thankfully I don't drive much lol!
For the IS I use Gold, which is ethanol free, and their highest grade available. Thankfully I don't drive much lol!
