Does the brand of gas matter? 76 vs Shell vs Arco

[LordSnailz]

bah, I kinda suck at the googles ... I don't want to wade through all the searches, I want something reputatble, hence my post.

I want to tap into the collective intelligence of ATOT.

Does the brand of car affect the performance of the car? The longevity? Can you actually feel the difference?

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Honestly, I don't have an conclusive proof to my next statement. Out of all the three in your title I think Shell is the best choice. 76 is pretty good gas too but Arco is the worst you can buy. Every time I put that junk in my car, it seems to suck it down like water. As a matter of fact, I've been told that the gas is somewhat diluted to keep prices down. However, I have no proof to back that up.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
Honestly, I don't have an conclusive proof to my next statement. Out of all the three in your title I think Shell is the best choice. 76 is pretty good gas too but Arco is the worst you can buy. Every time I put that junk in my car, it seems to suck it down like water. As a matter of fact, I've been told that the gas is somewhat diluted to keep prices down. However, I have no proof to back that up.

Wouldn't diluting gas be illegal? I thought the biggest difference between different stations was the extra "detergents" or additives they put in.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
Honestly, I don't have an conclusive proof to my next statement. Out of all the three in your title I think Shell is the best choice. 76 is pretty good gas too but Arco is the worst you can buy. Every time I put that junk in my car, it seems to suck it down like water. As a matter of fact, I've been told that the gas is somewhat diluted to keep prices down. However, I have no proof to back that up.

Wouldn't diluting gas be illegal? I thought the biggest difference between different stations was the extra "detergents" or additives they put in.

You're correct. Just did a search.

 

[LordSnailz]

yeah, the difference is the additives but does those things help the performance or life of the car? Or is it more of a placebo affect? Wondering if there any research done on this and no it's not for hw, it's more impt., it's to settle an argument with a buddy of mine.

 

[Dudewithoutapet]

I think placebo effect only works on humans, because we tend to believe in something and somehow it works. I don't think you can apply that to our cars though. Perhaps you are thinking of just a comforting thought, thinking you're doing good for your car? I believe they did a study with Shell and Chevron, it really did have less build up after X amount of miles or something from those two gas brands. Just something I heard from my dad, of course you can't believe everything that comes of out that guy's mouth.

 

[Kromis]

"Gas is gas"

 

[CptCrunch]

eh, i stay away form UDF, swiffy, and tend to fill up with shell or bp. We have a chevron station close, but it's always 15 cents higher than any other place

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Kromis
"Gas is gas"

:thumbsup:


The thing that matters the most is the tanks and pumps. Most states do test to see if water is gettign in the tank and/or if gas is getting out. Other then that put the cheapest gas that fits the octance requirments of you car in.

Worked fine so far for the C5 Corvette, Turbo Saab, and the CTS. Let alone all my other cars I have had over the years.

 

[overst33r]

Most gas in a given area comes from the same source, the only thing that could possibly be different is the additives.

 

[MetalMat]

Just run some gas additives every once in a while, does the same thing as what shell claims.

 

[LTC8K6]

I'll run out of gas before I stop at a Citgo, but that has nothing to do with the quality of the fuel.

 

[HESDog]

Originally posted by: Kromis
"Gas is gas"

B.S.

There is a difference, and it is all in the additives.

Text

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: HESDog

Originally posted by: Kromis
"Gas is gas"

B.S.

There is a difference, and it is all in the additives.

Text

No, BS on you.

Who do you think funds that little no disclosure website?

check under the Retailers link for your answer.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Kromis
"Gas is gas"

I used to preach that as well, but now I stay well away from Arco. I swear they must water that stuff down or something. Waaayyy too many personal experiences from me and friends to use that stuff again.

I use Chevron, because they have the best additives package, and their equipment is often in better condition.

Originally posted by: mariok2006
Most gas in a given area comes from the same source, the only thing that could possibly be different is the additives.

the additives, the condition of the pipes and trucks that ferry the stuff from refinery to station, the condition of the tanks.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

From what I had seen, the additives do make a difference, but whether that difference is significant is up to you. But up to the point that they put the additives in, gas is gas.

 

[Killrose]

I did a quick search to see if there was a dyno fuel test comparison but did not see one. Anyone know of a link showing various fuels being dyno tested in a shoot-out of some sort?

 

[Vic]

What top professional tuners have told me is that there definitely is a difference and that it's that the top tier gases are of more consistent quality. So it's not something you'll see in a dyno run shoot-out but over time, but sooner than the lack of additives. Usually what happens is that inconsistent quality gas will cause occasional pinging, which will cause the ECU to reduce the advance multiplier and pull (retard) ignition timing, which means jerkier acceleration and less full power.

 

[imported_wonderwrench]

Better fuel as additives that help keep valves clean. Best bet is to buy fuel from a station that does a lot of business. Their fuel will be fresher, cleaner and they tend to use better fuel suppliers. Also never fuel up if they are filling their tanks as it stirs up any contaminates in their tanks. Most stations have inline filters but its not worth the risk.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: Vic
What top professional tuners have told me is that there definitely is a difference and that it's that the top tier gases are of more consistent quality. So it's not something you'll see in a dyno run shoot-out but over time, but sooner than the lack of additives. Usually what happens is that inconsistent quality gas will cause occasional pinging, which will cause the ECU to reduce the advance multiplier and pull (retard) ignition timing, which means jerkier acceleration and less full power.

Dad tells me to fuel up on the same station (company).
He always fills up at Shell, mom fills up at Citgo.

 

[ponyo]

Only station I won't buy gas from is Citgo.

 

[BW86]

I always fill up with Shell

 

[RichieZ]

shell v-power only

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: Naustica
Only station I won't buy gas from is Citgo.

Why?

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN

Originally posted by: Naustica
Only station I won't buy gas from is Citgo.

Why?

Because I don't want to knowingly support Chavez.