Special Gas or Marketing Ploy

[netman]

I'm have been using Valero as my gas station for a while on my '07 Camry.

I know others like Chervon, Shell, BP has special cleaners for the engine in the vehicle.

Are those really worth it price?

Given also, you are paying the higher price for those additives in the gas.

[geoff5093]

I just go wherever it's cheaper, if Shell's cheaper, i'll go there. If I want to use gas additives, I will just buy some at AutoZone for $5, not rely on watered down additives in some gas.

[summerwind]

I always wonder when I see the Shell ad on TV showing the carboned up valve from "cheap gas" how many miles did the engine run before they pulled the valve??

ABC did a report a while ago. Here is a link to the video. You have to watch a short commercial before the report starts.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2978620

It is true that the Top-Tier gas brands have additives that go beyond the federal standard but I have never seen the answer to the question I started out this thread with...

How many miles did the engine run before thy pulled the valve??

[Joe B]

I usually use Top tier brands.
I feel they're worth the price.
Shell is my first choice.
93 in the Camry.
87 in the RAV4.

[geoff5093]

Joe, have you noticed any difference in power using the 93 in the Camry, or have you used it all along? I only have 400 miles on my car but I've been using 87, I was going to switch to 93 though once the tank is empty.

[yeuemhoai]

I alsway use Premium (93) for V6's and stick with one Mobil station on my way to work since they are always 10 cents cheaper than the surrounds. I can feel the MPG drop since the state law adds 10% methanol.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by geoff5093

Joe, have you noticed any difference in power using the 93 in the Camry, or have you used it all along? I only have 400 miles on my car but I've been using 87, I was going to switch to 93 though once the tank is empty.

I use premium because the Lexus ES 350 V6 is the same engine,same compression and timing and premium is recommended.
Thus giving 4 more HP and a bit more torque.
Toyota will not recomment premium in a Camry V6.
Would scare off potential buyers.
You can use 87 without any problems but to get the most out of the engine I prefer 91 or 93..

[Virus18]

Shell, Sunoco or BP for me. I always use 93 because it is the required fuel for optimum performance. You won't notice much of an improvement in gas mileage and you only get 4hp/6tq better performance. However, the Avalon and ES350 are identical engines with all the same tolerances and premium is recommended for them. The Camry V6 has an extremely high compression ratio. I have noticed a slight improvement in performance, but in all honesty it's not much. Just slightly better throttle response. It took 2-3 tank fulls to notice a difference. I assume it took this long for the ECM to adjust for the higher octane fuel.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by Virus18

. The Camry V6 has an extremely high compression ratio. .

"For those looking for more power, the new 2GR-FE engine – a 24-valve, DOHC 3.5L V6 - is available in the LE, SE and XLE. This engine is designed to deliver up to 40 percent better acceleration over the 2006 model year Camry 3.3-liter V6. The V6 is based on bore/stroke measurements of 3.70 x 3.27 inches (94.0 x 83.0 mm) for a displacement of 210.9 ci, or 3,459cc, and uses a compression ratio of 10.8:1 to generate 268 SAE horsepower".

[nodrogkam]

wow at least you guys have access to 93 easily...
premium in cali is 91.
All cars that don't have the requirement for premium only can take regular 87 octane. Even some that say premium only can take it, because the car's computer is smart enough to adjust to fuel octane variations. All you typically loose is a debatable amount of power. The only time you'd have to use premium is if you've modified your engine for performance and your computer as well.

I stick with shell since i get the better gas mileage with it (subjectively speaking), and sometimes costco gas if it really is THAT much cheaper, or i happen to be shopping there and there's not a mile long line.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by nodrogkam

wow at least you guys have access to 93 easily...
premium in cali is 91.
All cars that don't have the requirement for premium only can take regular 87 octane. Even some that say premium only can take it, because the car's computer is smart enough to adjust to fuel octane variations. All you typically loose is a debatable amount of power. The only time you'd have to use premium is if you've modified your engine for performance and your computer as well.

I stick with shell since i get the better gas mileage with it (subjectively speaking), and sometimes costco gas if it really is THAT much cheaper, or i happen to be shopping there and there's not a mile long line.

91 is considered premium and in north Jersey,Sunoco is the only brand name that carries 91.
The usual premium is 93 with the major brands..

[nodrogkam]

well there is one station not too far from where i live that sells race gas! Maybe is hould give that a shot and see how the camry takes to it. haha 13 second quarter mile perhaps?
woah just noticed netman is from fremont too.
go to the valero off of mission blvd?

[mrshyvley]

We each can make up our own mind whether having a good additive package in the gas we buy makes a difference.

I personally think that if they didn't make a difference, the companies that have an additive package would stop doing it.
It would certainly help their bottom line.

Here's a website that discusses the additive issue, and lists gas retailers that meet the standards this website claims is important.

http://www.toptiergas.com/

In the end, it's your engine and your money. :-)

We have 85, 87 and 91 here in Colorado due to the altitude. I usually use 87 and I don't get any knock. Sometimes I use 91, depending on if I feel like it and if it's cheap.

[CamrySExxx]

gas prices are stupid high...i buy the cheapest.