Are all gasolines the same??

[NYC_99Camry]

just wondering if a 87 octane from different gas stations the same. I heard that Mobile is the best....others say its sunoco. well...i think BP is good. What do you guys think????

[94CoupeV6]

Usually most gas stations in a area will get there gasoline from the same place.

[Black95Cam]

i go with shell or chevron...

[desentrix]

Originally Posted by 94CoupeV6

Usually most gas stations in a area will get there gasoline from the same place.

I was gonna say the same thing.

On a side note: not all gasolines are 87+. I remember a few years ago, during a road trip from TX => Cali, I ran into a few stations who had 85 octane or something to that extent.

Really gas is all the same, only difference is a few brands have their own special 'additives.' The only real difference is the brand marketing used to convince the consumer.

[NYC_99Camry]

so gasoline from LuLu's Gas station is the same as Mobil and Exxon and Shell??? hmmm.........

[ONE_to_HATE]

^ Technically - YES but w/out the marketing hype and the additives.

[geoff5093]

I've used several gas stations before, but I am now only using Irving because I get between 24-26MPG, whereas with others I was getting 22-24MPG.

While this most likely has to do with other factors such as weather, driving habits, etc, I've never gotten under 24MPG with Irving so I see no reason why I should change it.

[toyomoho]

Additives are typically the only difference between brands. The fuel may come from the same local refinery or pipeline.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by ONE_to_HATE

^ Technically - YES but w/out the marketing hype and the additives.

"......gasoline is a complicated mixture of hydrocarbons boiling between 120 and 400 degrees F, with chemical formulas between C6H14 and C12H26, but a good "average" compound is C8H18. These react in an ideal situation to produce carbon dioxide and water, but in an actual automobile engine they also produce some amount of undesirable compounds including carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and sulfur-containing compounds."

I've learned to buy by cheapest price. There are only a few refineries in the country so you're not going to get gas from Joe's Backyard Refinery. Many large producers own cut price chains and you may or may not get all the additives that are in the name brand, but Ive never had a problem shopping by price. There was a case years ago where the mob was mixing toxic chemicals with gas in the tanker trucks and so were able to dispose of these chemicals for free after collecting fees for proper disposal. But I doubt that happens much any more, but you never know. Getting water out at the station level is very important so a bad batch may be just water in the tanks not in the refined product.

I doubt geoff5093's better mileage is about differences in formula but may be due to more accurate pumps or better compensation for temperature at the pump.

[bigbird]

i do have one place i will not go. Freestate gas stations here in MD. dont know what it is, prolly just lying about the octane rating to get teh lowest price, but my cars never run right on it. espacially my old carburated car where the higher the octane the better she runs.

[Black95Cam]

Originally Posted by Stillrunning

"......gasoline is a complicated mixture of hydrocarbons boiling between 120 and 400 degrees F, with chemical formulas between C6H14 and C12H26, but a good "average" compound is C8H18. These react in an ideal situation to produce carbon dioxide and water, but in an actual automobile engine they also produce some amount of undesirable compounds including carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and sulfur-containing compounds."

I've learned to buy by cheapest price. There are only a few refineries in the country so you're not going to get gas from Joe's Backyard Refinery. Many large producers own cut price chains and you may or may not get all the additives that are in the name brand, but Ive never had a problem shopping by price. There was a case years ago where the mob was mixing toxic chemicals with gas in the tanker trucks and so were able to dispose of these chemicals for free after collecting fees for proper disposal. But I doubt that happens much any more, but you never know. Getting water out at the station level is very important so a bad batch may be just water in the tanks not in the refined product.

I doubt geoff5093's better mileage is about differences in formula but may be due to more accurate pumps or better compensation for temperature at the pump.

but why pay for water when you can get it for free? i ran some cheap gas at valero/USA (around Nor Cal area, not sure about So Cal) all the to 91 octane from chevron and I notice a different in throttle respond, acceleration, and mpgs.. so in MY opinion there is a difference (the additives they put in) in gasoline from brand to brand.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Black95Cam

all the to 91 octane from chevron and I notice a different in throttle respond, acceleration, and mpgs.. so in MY opinion there is a difference (the additives they put in) in gasoline from brand to brand.

Usually the additives are for cleaner running and less pollution. Unless they are putting more energy in each gallon you won't get better mpg, throttle response or acceleration. More power = more gas + more air. I don't know of any additive that results in more complete combustion, but maybe that's possible??

[Black95Cam]

Originally Posted by Stillrunning

Usually the additives are for cleaner running and less pollution. Unless they are putting more energy in each gallon you won't get better mpg, throttle response or acceleration. More power = more gas + more air. I don't know of any additive that results in more complete combustion, but maybe that's possible??

thats what my auto shop teacher had told us. but i did a test on my own to see if there is a difference. and to ME i could feel the difference. even a few of my friends did it as well with there cars (all different makes). the way i look at it, is the reason behind why cheap gas are cheap because they are low quality and have more of other additive the gasoline itself. but like i said its just my opinion..

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

Additives are typically the only difference between brands. The fuel may come from the same local refinery or pipeline.

Originally Posted by Stillrunning

I doubt geoff5093's better mileage is about differences in formula but may be due to more accurate pumps or better compensation for temperature at the pump.

One thing that I believe may contribute to it, is that the more well-known companies such as Shell, Irving, etc, may have a better fuel system in place to keep the gasoline free of water, contaminants, and as you said the pumps may be more efficient.

It seems that the no-name gas companies may not have enough money to keep their tanks and pumps maintained as well, as well as the gas sitting longer because they dont have as many customers. So that extra time the gas is sitting in the tank, it could be gathering moisture and such.

Thats just my opinion.

[desentrix]

I heard, but it may be a myth...

You should not fill your gasoline tank during, if not directly after the gas station's underground tanks are being filled by the truck -- the reasoning behind it -- the silt/debris on the bottom of the underground tank will be stirred up and be ultimately deposited in your gas tank.

Anyone wanna confirm/deny that? I figured this was sorta on-topic...