Brands of Gasoline = Actual Difference

ZeuceCoupe · 12-23-2014, 08:45 AM

First off, I had always been raised with the "gas is gas" mentality and that premium is a waste, obviously we know why our cars require premium.

When doing research a while back (before I got my Z) I came across all of this information about top tier gasolines, etc, "there truly is a difference" "there is ABSOLUTELY no difference"...I'm sure the battle will wage until the last drop of oil is squeezed from the earth.

I've always ran Shell V-Power in my Z because it's my understanding that it's the only premium fuel on the market that an F1 engine will run on - period. I've never had an issue with it.

Yesterday, I found myself in a very rough spot, I've recently moved and found myself lost and my fuel (which was already low) emptying itself...to the point that when I actually pulled up to the pump all orange lights on the fuel indicator were off. We've all got lost, still feel like an idiot, I know.

Long story short, the gas station was a Kroger gas station, I only put a small amount of fuel in to cover myself (about 2.5 gallons) and was honestly a little frightened to do so because of my Shell loyalty, but had no options.

Fired her up - instant pinging, idle dips all over the place...driving felt like there was turbo lag at times and she's all N/A.

Whatever your opinions on fuel quality, I'm just throwing this out there as a personal experience. On longer trips I've had to put in fuel from Marathon, BP, and even Speedway and never had any noticeable issues...my pesonal word of warning - STAY AWAY FROM CUT RATE FUEL AT ALL COSTS

theDreamer · 12-23-2014, 08:49 AM

Fuel is all the same (comes from the same refineries), it is additives that are different.

Jordo! · 12-23-2014, 08:52 AM

In theory top tier fuels are more closely regulated for impurities/level of detergents, and thus quality should be more consistent but you can get bad fuel anywhere.

Top Tier Gasoline

kenchan · 12-23-2014, 08:57 AM

even if it's a major brand gas station, if that station is prone to flooding or not very well maintained the fuel in there can be bad.

that said i only use 2 gas stations. one in a rich neighborhood where a lot more cars run premium fuel, and another station that recently was renovated and got new tanks installed.

on my dd, i just go to this nice cheepo station where they've been serving good fuel for yrs.

theDreamer · 12-23-2014, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

even if it's a major brand gas station, if that station is prone to flooding or not very well maintained the fuel in there can be bad.

that said i only use 2 gas stations. one in a rich neighborhood where a lot more cars run premium fuel, and another station that recently was renovated and got new tanks installed.

on my dd, i just go to this nice cheepo station where they've been serving good fuel for yrs.

That is another factor, turn over the fuel.
If you go to a Kroger or Wal-Mart station most people filling up are getting the cheapest fuel at the pump, meaning the higher octanes sit for months at a time.

mishuko · 12-23-2014, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

even if it's a major brand gas station, if that station is prone to flooding or not very well maintained the fuel in there can be bad.

that said i only use 2 gas stations. one in a rich neighborhood where a lot more cars run premium fuel, and another station that recently was renovated and got new tanks installed.
on my dd, i just go to this nice cheepo station where they've been serving good fuel for yrs.

that is solid advice from the Ken. turn over, location, and storage container age all matter.

in a pinch fuel is fuel as you said but in the long run... yea... not the same.

if you had to get mid end gas maybe try adding some octane booster to help until you can find a 91+ station?

Jordo! · 12-23-2014, 09:14 AM

BTW, I missed your first comment: Octane needs are a very real issue -- "premium" is only a waste if your engine is tuned to operate safely on a lower octane...

Anyway, the idea is "better regulated" vs. "worse regulated"; its not simply "good" vs "bad" with perfect precision across stations and pumps.

Also, did you use lower than 91 AKI? If so, no wonder you were pinging under load --that's not Kroger's fault.

In racing applications, you are typically working with very exotic (i.e., special additives, specific fuel densities, etc), high octane fuel blends... I dunno about Shell pump gas.

Mitco39 · 12-23-2014, 09:15 AM

I will say that fuel quality can fluctuate wildly from station to station, but its not because of the brand of fuel its for reasons mentioned above like how long has the fuel been sitting, are the tanks above ground.. etc.

Merv · 12-23-2014, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishuko

that is solid advice from the Ken. turn over, location, and storage container age all matter.

in a pinch fuel is fuel as you said but in the long run... yea... not the same.

if you had to get mid end gas maybe try adding some octane booster to help until you can find a 91+ station?

^^^ this. I was super low on gas and had to pull in to a mom and pop store. Thank god they had some octane booster on the shelf!

Mt Tam I am · 12-23-2014, 09:56 AM

Is ARCO top tier or discount brand. I assume top tier, but it is the cheapest in my area.

JARblue · 12-23-2014, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

Is ARCO top tier or discount brand.

ARCO is Top Tier

cooltoy · 12-23-2014, 10:03 AM

TOP TIER Gasoline Retailers:

USA
76 Stations
Aloha Petroleum
ARCO
Beacon
BP
Chevron
Conoco
Costco Wholesale
CountryMark
Diamond Shamrock
Entec Stations
Express Convenience Centers
Exxon
Hawaii Fueling Network (HFN)
Holiday Stationstores
Kwik Trip / Kwik Star
MFA Oil Co.
Mobil
Ohana Fuels
Phillips 66
QuikTrip
Road Ranger
Shamrock
Shell
Sinclair
Suncor Energy Inc
SuperAmerica
Texaco
Tri-Par Oil Co.
Valero

Canada
Chevron Canada
CO-OP
Costco Wholesale
Esso
Petro-Canada
Shell Canada
Tempo

Puerto Rico
Puma Energy Caribe, LLC
Shell

ZeuceCoupe · 12-23-2014, 10:05 AM

I put 93 Octane in which is the premium around here...very interesting concepts above though...it was definitely in an area where most of the pumps read 1 or 2 bucks of regular...didn't give the consideration to the stale gas/storage container age and turnover. I was pretty shocked with the pings, idle dips, and decrease of engine response time.

Since I put a small amount in, I'm going to simply attempt to burn the remainder of that fuel, put a small amount of my regular station stuff in, burn that off for a few cycles, and then fill it up...I don't want that stuff lingering/diluting "the good stuff."

brancky3 · 12-23-2014, 10:24 AM

I use Costco gas whenever I can, no issues.

ZeuceCoupe · 12-23-2014, 10:43 AM

Just for fun since we're on the topic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zubM2PsBJIU

Also, since we're on the subject, has anyone experimented with octane boosters on top of 93 grade...the ones that promise an octane level of 104etc...I try to keep additives to a minimum (Seafoam, Occasionally a Lucas product that I've used in the past and have noticed results, and Risoline Fuel Treatment OCCASIONALLY just to make sure that I'm keeping carbon to the minimum that I can)...any actual performance results from these small bottles? Or is it all hype?

12-23-2014, 08:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
ZeuceCoupe Base Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Great Midwest Posts: 45 Drives: 2010 370Z 40th Rep Power: 10	Brands of Gasoline = Actual Difference First off, I had always been raised with the "gas is gas" mentality and that premium is a waste, obviously we know why our cars require premium. When doing research a while back (before I got my Z) I came across all of this information about top tier gasolines, etc, "there truly is a difference" "there is ABSOLUTELY no difference"...I'm sure the battle will wage until the last drop of oil is squeezed from the earth. I've always ran Shell V-Power in my Z because it's my understanding that it's the only premium fuel on the market that an F1 engine will run on - period. I've never had an issue with it. Yesterday, I found myself in a very rough spot, I've recently moved and found myself lost and my fuel (which was already low) emptying itself...to the point that when I actually pulled up to the pump all orange lights on the fuel indicator were off. We've all got lost, still feel like an idiot, I know. Long story short, the gas station was a Kroger gas station, I only put a small amount of fuel in to cover myself (about 2.5 gallons) and was honestly a little frightened to do so because of my Shell loyalty, but had no options. Fired her up - instant pinging, idle dips all over the place...driving felt like there was turbo lag at times and she's all N/A. Whatever your opinions on fuel quality, I'm just throwing this out there as a personal experience. On longer trips I've had to put in fuel from Marathon, BP, and even Speedway and never had any noticeable issues...my pesonal word of warning - STAY AWAY FROM CUT RATE FUEL AT ALL COSTS PaulZ370 likes this.

12-23-2014, 08:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	Fuel is all the same (comes from the same refineries), it is additives that are different. mayday813, Chuck33079 and Driftomodachi like this. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

12-23-2014, 08:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 417	In theory top tier fuels are more closely regulated for impurities/level of detergents, and thus quality should be more consistent but you can get bad fuel anywhere. Top Tier Gasoline kidkotic2001, PaulZ370, DEpointfive0 and 2 others like this. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

12-23-2014, 08:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	even if it's a major brand gas station, if that station is prone to flooding or not very well maintained the fuel in there can be bad. that said i only use 2 gas stations. one in a rich neighborhood where a lot more cars run premium fuel, and another station that recently was renovated and got new tanks installed. on my dd, i just go to this nice cheepo station where they've been serving good fuel for yrs. Jordo! and mishuko like this.

12-23-2014, 09:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 417	BTW, I missed your first comment: Octane needs are a very real issue -- "premium" is only a waste if your engine is tuned to operate safely on a lower octane... Anyway, the idea is "better regulated" vs. "worse regulated"; its not simply "good" vs "bad" with perfect precision across stations and pumps. Also, did you use lower than 91 AKI? If so, no wonder you were pinging under load --that's not Kroger's fault. In racing applications, you are typically working with very exotic (i.e., special additives, specific fuel densities, etc), high octane fuel blends... I dunno about Shell pump gas. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it. Last edited by Jordo!; 12-23-2014 at 09:24 AM.

12-23-2014, 09:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mitco39 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Edmonton Alberta Canada Posts: 2,089 Drives: 40th 370z Rep Power: 131	I will say that fuel quality can fluctuate wildly from station to station, but its not because of the brand of fuel its for reasons mentioned above like how long has the fuel been sitting, are the tanks above ground.. etc. Jordo! likes this. __________________ 2007 Chevy Duramax - EFILive Tuned By Me 2010 40th W/ Nav - Boosted Performance - UpRev Tuned By Me The Mrs. Ride -2012 335XI N55 BMW - Cobb Tuned By Me, Built by her My Build --> http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...39s-build.html

12-23-2014, 09:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3842	Is ARCO top tier or discount brand. I assume top tier, but it is the cheapest in my area. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

12-23-2014, 10:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
cooltoy Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 13,938 Drives: 14 PW 370Z S/T MT Rep Power: 240204	TOP TIER Gasoline Retailers: USA 76 Stations Aloha Petroleum ARCO Beacon BP Chevron Conoco Costco Wholesale CountryMark Diamond Shamrock Entec Stations Express Convenience Centers Exxon Hawaii Fueling Network (HFN) Holiday Stationstores Kwik Trip / Kwik Star MFA Oil Co. Mobil Ohana Fuels Phillips 66 QuikTrip Road Ranger Shamrock Shell Sinclair Suncor Energy Inc SuperAmerica Texaco Tri-Par Oil Co. Valero Canada Chevron Canada CO-OP Costco Wholesale Esso Petro-Canada Shell Canada Tempo Puerto Rico Puma Energy Caribe, LLC Shell Jordo!, cautupwitdm and Mitco39 like this. __________________ Member of kenchan's "photoshopped mods" and "proper offsets" gang.

12-23-2014, 10:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
ZeuceCoupe Base Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Great Midwest Posts: 45 Drives: 2010 370Z 40th Rep Power: 10	I put 93 Octane in which is the premium around here...very interesting concepts above though...it was definitely in an area where most of the pumps read 1 or 2 bucks of regular...didn't give the consideration to the stale gas/storage container age and turnover. I was pretty shocked with the pings, idle dips, and decrease of engine response time. Since I put a small amount in, I'm going to simply attempt to burn the remainder of that fuel, put a small amount of my regular station stuff in, burn that off for a few cycles, and then fill it up...I don't want that stuff lingering/diluting "the good stuff."

12-23-2014, 10:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
brancky3 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Greer, SC Age: 36 Posts: 754 Drives: 14 370Z Gun Metallic Rep Power: 15	I use Costco gas whenever I can, no issues. __________________ 2014 Nissan 370z Gun Metallic 6-spd Test Pipes \| Nismo CBE \| Stillen Gen3 \| Swift springs \| Advanation Sway Bars \| RJM Clutch \| GTR DBA Premium Wheels

12-23-2014, 10:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
ZeuceCoupe Base Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Great Midwest Posts: 45 Drives: 2010 370Z 40th Rep Power: 10	Just for fun since we're on the topic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zubM2PsBJIU Also, since we're on the subject, has anyone experimented with octane boosters on top of 93 grade...the ones that promise an octane level of 104etc...I try to keep additives to a minimum (Seafoam, Occasionally a Lucas product that I've used in the past and have noticed results, and Risoline Fuel Treatment OCCASIONALLY just to make sure that I'm keeping carbon to the minimum that I can)...any actual performance results from these small bottles? Or is it all hype?

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