What gasoline are ya Burnin?

[3ZHP]

I'm talking gas here; what is your brand and what level? (Regular, Plus, Premium)

A few years ago when my car was still under the CPQ warranty, I took it in for some service work. Can't remember what but, the "what gas are you using?" question was ask by the service manager. response; 93 octane PB or something. He suggested using only Shell V-Power. I said to my self "yah right what's he got stock in the company, it's always the most expensive gas around".

When I got home I did some research on V-Power and found it was really different and have been using it ever since.

So my curiosity's got me thinking. What are all of you guy burning and why?

Just an added note; When I do mainly highway driving, my average mileage is 32 mpg. CAI and underdrive pulley's also helped.

[mimalmo]

Non-oxy premium. It's hard to find around here (land of corn and ethanol subsidies) but well worth it from a performance and a fuel system reliability standpoint.

[pyreguy]

I use Shell normally with an occasional fillup at a Texaco. Always 93.

[adb1028]

I normally use shell vpower, but will ocassionaly use Getty 93 since its around the corner from my house

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Chevron. Highest we have in CA is 91.

[Linh]

Kangaroo: 93 octane

[ZSP-Mafia]

Only Chevron or Shell for me.

[danewilson77]

93 always. BP or Shell...

[az3579]

ONLY Shell 93. I accept no substitutes, unless I'm absolutely desperate and am about to run out of gas (literally).

[kayger12]

I'll pull into any gas station that's not owned by Hugo Chavez.

93 octane

[Tampa330i]

I've only filled up twice so far, first at BP, then at Mobil. 93 all the way, next time I'll try some shell. It's really not that much more for a tank of the good stuff, and to the best of my knowledge it burns cleaner as the grade gets higher. I'm not even half way through my second tank, bought the car 1 month ago Tuesday.

[danewilson77]

I go through 1 tank every 4 day (1/4 tank/day). My car gets a pretty good workout.

[Jon D]

93 only usually Hess

[rikdee]

93.

[bimmer848]

always 93, usually Shell, but will cave if i have to. still always 93.

[gr330zhp]

Shell V-Power 93 always

Otherwise Shell V-Power 91 if I cant get the 93

[Washburn]

Shell VPower 93 - have to stations nearby
if I can't get those for any reason, i just get BP 93 just enough get me till i get to those Shell stations again.

[jjcools]

91 here, like Marcus said, that is our premium. I am not too particular about the station, try to get Chevron but will use others.

[Rayzah Blade]

93.. usually shell or BP. depends on how far I travel... Hess in the Boston area, Mobil in the Portland area.. always 93 though. My old lady mistakenly put 89 in once, I could tell the difference immediately the next time I drove it. She slept with the dog for a week.

[adb1028]

93.. usually shell or BP. depends on how far I travel... Hess in the Boston area, Mobil in the Portland area.. always 93 though. My old lady mistakenly put 89 in once, I could tell the difference immediately the next time I drove it. She slept with the dog for a week.

I had to put in Sell 87 about two weeks ago. I was nearly out of gas (about 10 miles on the tank) and thats all the Shell station had, they were completely out of V-Power and 89. The car ran like garbage for the first 40 miles on the tank (hesitation, stumbling upon acceleration). After that, the ECU figured it self out and it ran alright, but I saw a big drop off in performance. NEVER doing that again.

[az3579]

It's really not that much more for a tank of the good stuff, and to the best of my knowledge it burns cleaner as the grade gets higher. I'm not even half way through my second tank, bought the car 1 month ago Tuesday.

I believe that is a myth; a higher grade doesn't necessarily burn cleaner...

[zhp43867]

I had to put in Sell 87 about two weeks ago. I was nearly out of gas (about 10 miles on the tank) and thats all the Shell station had, they were completely out of V-Power and 89. The car ran like garbage for the first 40 miles on the tank (hesitation, stumbling upon acceleration). After that, the ECU figured it self out and it ran alright, but I saw a big drop off in performance. NEVER doing that again.

I know some people in my family have done that in the same situations to an E46 325ci, and E39 528i. A little bit of lost performance but the car adapts much wuicker than 40 miles...


I believe that is a myth; a higher grade doesn't necessarily burn cleaner...

I get better gas mileage when I use 93 vs 91 vs 89, and it pretty much compensates for the extra fuel cost.

[mimalmo]

I get a 2-3mpg tank average increase when using non-oxy premium versus using gas with ethanol.

[az3579]

I get better gas mileage when I use 93 vs 91 vs 89, and it pretty much compensates for the extra fuel cost.

I think the car was designed for 91+, which is why you get better gas mileage. It's more optimized for it. 89 won't get you as good results as 91 or 93. Plus you run the risk of pinging by running the wrong fuel, which is very bad for the engine.


I get a 2-3mpg tank average increase when using non-oxy premium versus using gas with ethanol.

Non-ethanol fuel can increase your gas mileage quite a lot, but the problem is finding stations that carry it. There isn't a single place that I've seen that carries non-ethanol fuel now.

[mimalmo]

Non-ethanol fuel can increase your gas mileage quite a lot, but the problem is finding stations that carry it. There isn't a single place that I've seen that carries non-ethanol fuel now.

Check with your local street rod club. Those guys usually know where to find it. The Minnesota Street Rod Association publishes an annual list of stations that have non-oxy premium as well as race gas for its members that I use regularly.

[az3579]

Street Rod club? What on earth is that?
And in Bridgeport? I don't think so...

I'm definitely not driving 20-30 miles just for gas.

[mimalmo]

Street Rod club? What on earth is that?
And in Bridgeport? I don't think so...

I'm definitely not driving 20-30 miles just for gas.

Street Rods/Hot Rods ie: old classic cars that are from the 60's or older. Most states have clubs.

I don't have to drive out of my way to find non-oxy premium since there are dozens of places here that sell it. YMMV

I noticed CT isn't listed on this site but others may find it useful.
http://www.pure-gas.org/

[az3579]

I noticed CT isn't listed on this site but others may find it useful.
http://www.pure-gas.org/

Yeah, I've seen that site before. The only state even near me that has any is NY, and even then all of those areas are waaaaaay too far. I guess CT is one of "those states" that it's just never going to happen in. :(

[Daddyoh]

Shell V-Power 93, but BP and Sunoco occasionally. Owners manual calls for 91 minimum.
I use 93 in my chipped '92 M50 also.
The previous owner used 89 all the time in the Z. Can't say I'm thrilled about that.......

[johnrando]

Yup, CA has 91 only... usually with "name" brands, or Costco. Not Arco though... I could tell the difference in my '80 Triumph when I used Arco (didn't perform as well), so I've never used it in my ZHP. John

[SC4ME]

In California, so only get 91 octane gas.

I prefer Shell V-power, the second choice is Chevron. I try very hard to not put anything else in my car, and regardless of the brand it must be 91 or higher.

[romanred62]

Chevron 93 but after reading all of this it sounds like I need to be using Shell V-Power 93.

[danewilson77]

Just filled up with V Power 3 miles ago. What a glorious tank this will be!

[Washburn]

Chevron 93 but after reading all of this it sounds like I need to be using Shell V-Power 93.
Nah, any top tier gas is fine - I use Shell because that's what I have, Chevron is a VERY good gas, if I had it around me I'd use Chevron definitely.

[danewilson77]

Now...that we have beat the sh!t outta octane....let's talk about the verious additives.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Wife has a Chevron gas card. That's one reason we use Chevron. Not sure how I ever got so loyal to this brand, though.

[romanred62]

Now...that we have beat the sh!t outta octane....let's talk about the verious additives.

I like to use Lucas Oil Octane Boost.

[Washburn]

Now...that we have beat the sh!t outta octane....let's talk about the verious additives.

I stick to additives with high PEA content: Chevron Techron (which BMW relabels as BMW gas additive), Redline SI-1, Gumout Regane. I use those only. Both our other cars have been using those, and never had a fuel related problem. (doesn't mean that they would have without additives, but you never know.)

Haven't started using anything in the ZHP yet, though...it may not need it, as i only use Top Tier gas in the ZHP, but that;s not the case with the other 2 cars..

[danewilson77]

Cool. I was actually talkin about what additives the various refiners add to the gas....like V Power, BP adds something....etc...

[danewilson77]

I want some of those yo additives. Does it make your car sound like eminem at 3000 rpm?

[Washburn]

hehe typo corrected :)

[Washburn]

Cool. I was actually talkin about what additives the various refiners add to the gas....like V Power, BP adds something....etc...
Oh sorry - i misunderstood - of course Chevron has techron in their gas

[danewilson77]

What iiiiiiiiiissssssss techron though?

[pyreguy]

I have a strange but deep hatred for Chevron. Yet I will use Texaco... aren't they in bed somehow? Anyway, I get my techron from Texaco if I fill up on the way to work. Otherwise its always Shell V-Power.

I have no idea what either additive is, just that supposedly they keep my injectors and valves cleaner. It could be magical ground up unicorn horns or baby seal teeth for all I know. Or nothing at all. It could all be propaganda and BS. :p

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I have a strange but deep hatred for Chevron. Yet I will use Texaco... aren't they in bed somehow? Anyway, I get my techron from Texaco if I fill up on the way to work. Otherwise its always Shell V-Power.

I have no idea what either additive is, just that supposedly they keep my injectors and valves cleaner. It could be magical ground up unicorn horns or baby seal teeth for all I know. Or nothing at all. It could all be propaganda and BS. :p

Yes. Chevron and Exxon merged in 2001.

[danewilson77]

I think its ground up unicorn horns...

[Pooters]

Exxon 93 octane. Main reason is that they have no fancy additives. I can clean my fuel injectors by myself...

[Rayzah Blade]

Exxon 93 octane. Main reason is that they have no fancy additives. I can clean my fuel injectors by myself...

Additives have been in gasoline since the 1920's, when lead was added to improve the octane on airplane engines, to reduce knocking and pinging. Due to the unfortunate problems workers experienced with working with lead over the last half decade, 'leaded' gasoline (favored by your local exxon/mobil) is being phased out by a non-leaded option which contains the ever popular ethynol. The 'additives' that v-power and techron use are simply detergents that are designed to break down carbon build up to ensure proper valve seating, and piston travel within the block. The unfortunate thing about phasing out leaded gasoline is if you happen to be a classic muscle car buff, the new non leaded gasolines can corrode the cast valves, allowing a ton of blow by and a severe loss in performance. This causes the old school wives tale that' carbon keeps everything running tight and smooth' ..when really it was just the lead compounds in the gasoline.
Now with our new ethynol, octane or AKI(anti knock index) can be raised to a level that supersedes any prior technology, but also does it in a way where less impact is made on the environment due to it being an organic starch compound versus a toxic mined compound. Typical gasoline is comprised of 60% propane/40% butane with up to 10% of additives (ethenol, detergents, ect. ) and depending on amount of ethynol, can impact MPG and carbon footprints severely. Since ethynol is an oxygen bearing additive, it reduces the amount of unburnt fuel in the combustion chamber, leading to lower emissions, while improving complete burn cycles in the engine overall. Oxygen + oxygen enriched propellant + spark = optimum combustion in chamber = less valve slap/ rod knock/ piston misfire.
BMW, Honda,ford and a handful of other car maufct. were involved in the design and distribution of what is/was known as /top tier gasoline' that was marketed for the need of high octane fuels to be used in premium vehicles offered by said car production standards. This was due to car companies using higher compression engines that were optimized by the higher octane rating made available. IE the reason behind any bimmers 'premium gasoline only' and honda's 'premium unleaded fuel only' message in all owners manuals telling buyers inferior fuel 'can' be used, but for longevity of the engine and it's internal components, a higher grade fuel must be used.
Bless the internal engines BMW used in airplanes when they formed the company.. auto octane was around 40, while off the line airplane engines using 'leaded fuel' were reaching octanes on 80+.. giving germany some of the best fighter planes entering WWI. The rest, as we know it, is history.
Damn guys, sorry for the wicked long rant/lesson. Hopefully some of it made sense.
And please, treat your car right. If you can afford to purchase a high quality car, you can afford high quality fuel.
/rant

[danewilson77]

^Thanks. Thats exactly what I was looking for.

[kayger12]

Great info, RB.

[Rayzah Blade]

no problem guys. I had the irritating (to teachers) knack to question anythin and everything that sparked my interest.. my autoshop teacher gave me an amazing book that took me about a week to read, and what I posted was pretty much a cliffs note to that book.' Dyke's automobile and gasoline engine encyclopedia' is not so much an encyclopedia per se' more of a guide to all things car and combustion engines. It actually gives a tremendous amount of how car salesmen are trained and successful, as well as the inner workings to alot of the industry's best kept secrets. Do not read it, though, I must warn you. Once you start, YOU WILL NOT PUT IT DOWN. Shit's worse than a Dan Brown novel. i still have night sweats and withdrawals to this day.

[pyreguy]

I might check that book out. I love stuff like that.

But, so, wait...detergents are made out of ground up unicorn horns, right??

[danewilson77]

^Yes....

And Mermaid scales.

[Rayzah Blade]

and baby kangaroo tears.

[az3579]

And window regulators held together with zip-tie.

[Crickett]

I keep going back & forth on whether to always use "Top Tier" stations or not, with Shell being my preferred TT pump. (I always use 91+, wherever I fill up.)

But then I read things like this Jalopnik article (http://lifehacker.com/#!5789006/why-brand-name-gas-is-rarely-worth-the-extra-money) & begin to wonder if "Top Tier" & "brand name gas" is mostly just marketing BS or if there is anything significantly different / better about their gas. I know the TTs do have different additives & whatnot that they use, but is it enough to really make a difference? Or just enough to say that they do?

[Washburn]

Shell 93 Vpower - I don't think I have ever used anything else in my ZHP...no clue what the PO used.

[kpro]

Gas is Gas, whatever 93 octane is closest when I'm at 1/4 tank. All gas is processed by the same 2 refineries. My car doesn't preform any differently when I switch between brands.

[M0nk3y]

Gas is Gas, whatever 93 octane is closest when I'm at 1/4 tank. All gas is processed by the same 2 refineries. My car doesn't preform any differently when I switch between brands.

True...

But I usually go with Shell only. They have the nicest gas stations, and therefore I can conclude to myself that their tanks under the ground are up to code.

That's just me though

[danewilson77]

So...nothing in the additives makes one better than the other?

So....you're saying 7-11 93 octane is as good as Shell 93 octane?

[kayger12]

If 7-11 works like Wawa does up here, their gas may very well BE Shell. They simply buy from whoever gives them the best price that particular week. One week you could be getting Shell, the next Exxon, the next Sunoco, etc.

[danewilson77]

ok

[johnrando]

The gas is the same from the major vendors, it's the additives that are different, and they are added after refining. On most of my cars, as long as I used the right octane, I couldn't tell the difference. Interestingly enough though, on my Triumph TR8, I could absolutely tell the difference if I used a specific brand (drawing a blank on the name), even with the "right" octane, so I never used their gas. I always put 91 in my ZHP, as that's the highest available here, and it's what's recommended as a minimum. I have not noticed the difference with different brands as of yet, but I've mostly used Costco gas.

[PKR]

Shell 93 most of the time, but when traveling I'll use another major brand of premium

[M54Dave]

I use Shell 91 in both of my cars, 91 is the highest available in CO.

[MasterC17]

Shell 93 V-Power

[VA//M3]

Shell 93 V-Power

[adb1028]

I usually go for Shell 93, but I've been trying out Costco 93 recently. Haven't noticed a difference :dunno

[MrMaico]

Around here it's only the mid-grade that contains ethanol (with a few exceptions that sell all ethanol) so that makes it a little easier to avoid. We don't have any Shell or Chevron stations unfortunately. There are a few BP stations and quite a few Tesoro. Tesoro I believe is owned by Shell. They bought out Amoco and their nearby refinery 10 years or so ago.

I always stick to one of those two. I always worry about how fresh the premium actually is since most people just buy whatever's cheapest. So during the summer I've been buying my gas for the ZHP at a marina/gas station/c store because I figure if there is anyplace that will sell more premium grade gas it will be a marina. This place is only a couple of years old so I know their tanks are in good shape. Can't recall the brand at the moment, it's either Tesoro or BP.

I have to believe it's like kpro said though......most, if not all, get their gas from the local refinery. What pisses me off is that Fargo, 200 miles east, always has about 10 cents per gallon cheaper gas even though the refinery is 10 miles from here.

[CO ZHP]

Shell 91, like M54Dave said it is the highest octane you can get in Colorado.

[nike001]

89

[pleasecorrupt]

89

add a couple dollars and fill up with recommended :)

anways im filling with 91 mostly @ costco unless if im on the road in which i go to shell or 76. would fill up with 93 but 91 is highest i can find on a normal basis and besides that, the only 93 station near me is charging $5.50 a gallon...

[Johnmadd]

I use 93 but the price is crazy nowhttp://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc407/johnmadd1979/2011-04-08_08-52-49_446.jpg
:facepalm

[pleasecorrupt]

I pay more than that 91.

:facepalm



I use 93 but the price is crazy nowhttp://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc407/johnmadd1979/2011-04-08_08-52-49_446.jpg
:facepalm

[MrMaico]

I pay more than that 91.

:facepalm Same here......that's what I paid LAST week. I haven't even looked at the latest price but I'm guessing it's $4.05 now.

[Johnmadd]

:drevilGas is the suck right now.

[spencers]

Shell V-Power 93

[Stu]

Just your general 93 octane from a non-sketchy gas station. We've got a lot of Han-Dee-Hugos around here, so I usually get it from there.

[johnnyrad]

Always go with the V Power from Shell. I just started using it instead of that cheap crap from the local places, seems I guessed right. Win

I remember years back Sunoco had the 94 octane. I swear that stuff was jet fuel. $$ but I would get that if it was still around..

[gmurphy]

Switched back to Shell V-Power after going on a strange purge and getting Mobil.


Sent from a Secret Location (Lincoln,NE exit 395 on I-80)

[Au1994]

Citgo 93

[mbeckel]

93 octane. Typically shell

Sent from in the bushes

[HockeyGoon]

Valero 93

[SoCalZman]

The only thing I make sure of is that its top tier/brand name. Usually get shell 91, but have also stopped at Chevron and 76 (nascar, yo!).

[SoDelBMW]

91 to 93 depending on the station I'm filling up at.

[ELCID86]

I finally found a shell near me.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[Avetiso]

Shell 91, sometimes Chevron.

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[ELCID86]

Shell 91, sometimes Chevron.

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Isn't Chevron, Chavez gas??


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[Avetiso]

Isn't Chevron, Chavez gas??


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

No idea what that means. Chavez gas?

[ELCID86]

Id alway heard that profits from chevron went into the pockets of Hugo Chavez. Oops. It's citgo I was thinking of
http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/citgo.asp


Thumbed from iPhone



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[Avetiso]

Id alway heard that profits from chevron went into the pockets of Hugo Chavez. Oops. It's citgo I was thinking of
http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/citgo.asp


Thumbed from iPhone



Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

Oh, okay. There are no Citgo stations around me, but there are sooooo many Arco stations. Ten cents cheaper and people pack in line for low quality fuel. :dunno

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[fredo]

I usually stop at Exxon or Chevron. And always use the 93.

[oldzilla]

91 ethanol free from conoco

[danewilson77]

No idea what that means. Chavez gas?

From Cuba.... But we're not going to turn this political, as we don't discuss politics on this site.

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[ELCID86]

From Cuba.

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Technically Venezuela, but to me they are about the same :-)

[bshovers]

V-Power or BP or Mobile depends on where I am. No she'll near me expect when I'm at work a half hour away and BP is cheap when I'm near home.


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[midlandtech]

93 ethanol free from BP

taptalk + Note 3

[az3579]

93 ethanol free from BP

taptalk + Note 3

You're welcome.


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[midlandtech]

You're welcome.


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I see what you did there =)

taptalk + Note 3

[NoVAphotog]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/30/edepupy5.jpg

That V-power 93

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[gmurphy]

I love our gas cap holders. :)


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[Avetiso]

We have gas cap holders?!?!

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[ELCID86]

We have gas cap holders?!?!

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Built into the gas cap door.


Tapatalk on iPad

[Avetiso]

Built into the gas cap door.


Tapatalk on iPad

I had no idea. Wow.

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[Pip]

Most cars do lol. You've been missing out. Just be careful not to stuff too hard or you'll possibly bend the door...I think. It just doesn't feel super solid is all.

[ELCID86]

I had no idea. Wow.

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Too funny!


Tapatalk on iPad

[gmurphy]

I had no idea. Wow.

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Haha I thought you were being sarcastic. That's funny :)


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[feytr]

V-Power-Shell or Ultimate-BP

[BMWPassion]

I use the cheapest 93 octane I can find usually Murphys at Walmart or Speedway. I would like to use Shell V Power or ultimate BP but it is I believe 20 cents more than it should be. I Drive around 500 miles a week so that adds up after a while, and the motor only requires and 91 octane so I think I'm OK.

[johnrando]

Curious what the 'best' i.e. "TopTier" 91 octane costs vs. the cheapest 93? We can't get 93 octane here.

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[ELCID86]

And I can't find 91 here. Only 89 or 93.


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