Can the brand of gas make this much difference-->
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Can the brand of gas make this much difference-->
I have been using Exxon Supreme at 1.549 for the last month and was very happy with the performance. Switched to Sunoco Ultra this last tank at 1.539 on their Wednesday special and I can't believe the difference. The car seems quicker, smoother and overall seems to have more pep.
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We've had this discussion several times in the recent past...
the concensus is YES! My beef is with my local Mobil stations. Exxon and Mobil merged so the gas may be the same. It really depends on where you live, the formulations required and the refineries where the gas is produced. Multiple brands may come from the same refineries and trucks so it pays to shop around and find the best in your area.
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Many say don't use Arco...
I've been using it for the past 16 years, in all 3 of my Audis. I've put a total of 470,000 miles on these 3 cars and have not had a single problem! I've tried other brands in my 2.7t, and I honestly can't feel a difference. I wonder where people get this idea that there's something wrong with Arco.
Chris JB
Chris JB
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I really think that two things influence this ....
one, the gas situation in your local area, since off-brands usually buy leftover gas from brand-name refineries.
And the gas station itself. Are their tanks new and clean? Are the filters clean? Do they sell enough gas so that it isn't stale and funky?
And the gas station itself. Are their tanks new and clean? Are the filters clean? Do they sell enough gas so that it isn't stale and funky?
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what octanes?
octane *can* make a noticeable difference, esp. if you're on the edge (i.e., turbo car on a hot day; chipped turbo car just about any day).
I know my car runs *much* smoother at the track with 95-98 octane, even on a really hot day, than it does on 91 octane on a normal day in California.
I know my car runs *much* smoother at the track with 95-98 octane, even on a really hot day, than it does on 91 octane on a normal day in California.
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Exxon Supreme is 93 octance... Sunoco Ultra caused serious problems with my gas gauge...
I think the local Sunoco near my house has a high level of sulfur... When I switched to Amoco Super for several tanks, the gas gauge miraculously started working again.. Sunoco also tends to make my BMW run like crap even with Ultra.. I started hearing pings and knocks... I switched to Amoco and Exxon/Mobil and the sounds eventually went away.. I think Amoco and Texaco is the best grade of fuel I've noticed around here.. They're usually the most expensive too comparing octane to octane
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Your second point is right on.
The most significant variable is the gas station itself. But about your first point, because refining is a continuous process, there ain't no such animal as "leftover" gas. Gas is gas, no matter where you buy it in a given region, except for differences in the additive packages used by the various retailers. Yeah, Iknow this is oversimplified, but no refinery will custom-manufacture gas for a third party retailer.
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Leftover gas is (what I think phred meant)
overcapacity from the brand name dealers. For the most part, all the tankers in a given area go to the same refinery. Follow the trucks...it's true!
The difference between brand A and brand B is the additives that get squirted in, with some companies like Shell putting a ton of stuff in their premium and others not. A small company like Rotten Robbie out here in N. California generally just picks up the overcapacity and doesn't add anything. I believe this is what phred meant by "leftover" gas.
BTW, the 76 at Almaden and Foxworthy still has 92 (instead of 91 octane) and they have 100 octane at just over $4/gallon.
The difference between brand A and brand B is the additives that get squirted in, with some companies like Shell putting a ton of stuff in their premium and others not. A small company like Rotten Robbie out here in N. California generally just picks up the overcapacity and doesn't add anything. I believe this is what phred meant by "leftover" gas.
BTW, the 76 at Almaden and Foxworthy still has 92 (instead of 91 octane) and they have 100 octane at just over $4/gallon.
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Yep, I documented 1-1.5mpg difference with Texaco 91 vs Conoco/Shamrock 91
Here in CO, 91 is the best we can get 
The good news is that *some* 91 is "better" than other 91.
Probably not hard to guess the ONLY station I fill up at....
The good news is that *some* 91 is "better" than other 91.Probably not hard to guess the ONLY station I fill up at....