So I did some work on my V6 auto, I put a new fuel pump, filter, and seafoamed my car a couple weeks ago. I pretty much always get speedway gas because of the price and its on the way to school, and wouldn't you know my car still ran like crap (loss of 50 HP, knocks when pulling up to red light, chugs etc) The next day I was low on gas and was forced to stop at a BP, After filling up my car ran insanely great! (I could easily chirp my tires, it sounded like a newer car, much smoother idle, no knocking, and just very quick) I thought my car just fixed itself or something so I continued to get speedway and then was bummed out when my car started running horrible yet again. And when I was running very low yet again I stopped at the BP and It ran awesome. So now I really wanted to put it to the test so I filled up with speed way = crap, then BP = fantastic!. So I'm stuck to BP forever. Is it that much better? Because it makes a huge difference.
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12:36 PM
PFF
System Bot
fierosound Member
Posts: 15251 From: Calgary, Canada Registered: Nov 1999
I normally fill up on sunoco or shell 91 for my 3800sc. One time I was stuck and had to stop and get Canadian Tire 91 gas on the side of the highway. I couldn't even accelerate without seeing knock retard on my scan gauge until I got rid of all that gas. It makes a big difference..
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01:06 PM
IanT720 Member
Posts: 1703 From: Whitmore Lake, MI Registered: Sep 2010
My wife ruined a 2002 Cadillac Northstar in 30K miles by using Speedway gas. It just gunked up the valves really bad. I only use Top Tier now in all my vehicles.
------------------ ..from S.E. WI 88 GT 5-speed soon to be an LS1 08 Solstice GXP 5 speed 08 Chev Malibu LTZ 08 Caddy SRX w/N* 02 Trailblazer 02 GMC Sierra Denal QUADRASTEER
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01:27 PM
BV MotorSports Member
Posts: 4821 From: Oak Hill, WV Registered: May 2001
Most gas is nearly the same. Some of the name brands will have a few more additives and cleaners to work better.
Now depending on where you live and what time of year you can get poorer gas due the mix for emissions.
Also I think you may have been getting gas with water or dirt if the Speedway had issues with the tanks. This is more common than people think. Also never get gas if the truck just dumped a load. It will stir up the silt in the tanks.
I use Sunoco from the same station that has new tanks. I have to use premium in my new car that is Turbocharged. 23 PSI boost will do that.
One other thing is many times gas for different stations can come from the same place. We have a Shell storage site here that I see tankers from several companies in their filling up. Not all of them are Shell. Also some lower price stations will bid on fuel and some days they may have cheaper stuff and other times they could be pumping Shell or BP based on who had the best price.
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07:23 PM
blackrams Member
Posts: 33038 From: Covington, TN, USA Registered: Feb 2003
Folks, I hate to tell you this but, did you know there is a nationwide network of pipelines that carry petroleum products from refineries throughout the country to distribution centers where those big trucks with the big fuel tanks fill and then deliver to your local stations. One refinery's fuel gets mixed with all the other's. Due to pipeline, distribution center location and refinery locations, you or your area may get most of it's fuel from a particular set or a specific refinery but, it's pretty much all the same. The fuel must meet federal standards prior to leaving the refineries. This is not to suggest that some brands may have additives mixed in at the distribution centers, I have not seen that end of the business but, I assure you, if you getting bad gas from a particular station, I'm betting on either bad/leaking tanks that need to be replaced or cleaned out or, unscrupulous station owners who are dumping their crap into the tanks.
Here's one tip, never, I mean never fill up at a station that is receiving gas from a tanker or for several hours afterward if you can help it. When the tanker drops the fuel, all the contaminants that have settled to the bottom get stirred up and float around in the tank for a while until it settles again. You don't want that crap in your tank, let it settle back if you can. If you have ever changed the fuel sock on your fuel pump and cleaned out an old fuel tank, imagine that a thousand times worse. I've pulled a bunch of old tanks out of the ground, it's a real nasty job.
------------------ Ron "While you cannot control the length of your life, you can control the width and depth." Live life to it's fullest, you may not see tomorrow.
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 11-12-2011).]
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08:05 PM
Nov 13th, 2011
hyperv6 Member
Posts: 6166 From: Clinton, OH, USA Registered: Mar 2003
Folks, I hate to tell you this but, did you know there is a nationwide network of pipelines that carry petroleum products from refineries throughout the country to distribution centers where those big trucks with the big fuel tanks fill and then deliver to your local stations. One refinery's fuel gets mixed with all the other's. Due to pipeline, distribution center location and refinery locations, you or your area may get most of it's fuel from a particular set or a specific refinery but, it's pretty much all the same. The fuel must meet federal standards prior to leaving the refineries. This is not to suggest that some brands may have additives mixed in at the distribution centers, I have not seen that end of the business but, I assure you, if you getting bad gas from a particular station, I'm betting on either bad/leaking tanks that need to be replaced or cleaned out or, unscrupulous station owners who are dumping their crap into the tanks.
Here's one tip, never, I mean never fill up at a station that is receiving gas from a tanker or for several hours afterward if you can help it. When the tanker drops the fuel, all the contaminants that have settled to the bottom get stirred up and float around in the tank for a while until it settles again. You don't want that crap in your tank, let it settle back if you can. If you have ever changed the fuel sock on your fuel pump and cleaned out an old fuel tank, imagine that a thousand times worse. I've pulled a bunch of old tanks out of the ground, it's a real nasty job.
ECHO...........Echoe..............echo
I heard this some where else. I wonder where?
Many bottles waters are city water too. The rule is not too assume.
[This message has been edited by hyperv6 (edited 11-13-2011).]
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08:17 AM
johnyrottin Member
Posts: 5498 From: Northwest Florida Registered: Oct 2007
I also won't buy from BP because of the Gulf crap they pulled. However, thier product is supposed to be great gas. I notice the same diffference down here and it is not only between competing companies. I notice it between two different Tom Thumb stations. They get their fuel from two different distributors. I will have to check and see if one station is older than the other. That would support the previous theory.
[This message has been edited by johnyrottin (edited 11-13-2011).]
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10:37 AM
Dennis LaGrua Member
Posts: 15944 From: Hillsborough, NJ U.S.A. Registered: May 2000
I only use *Top Tier rated high quality gasoline exclusively. http://www.toptiergas.com/ BP gasoline is a lower quality gasoline.
Also make sure that you know the place where you buy your gasoline. In my area a couple of years back, several "towelheads" were caught watering down the gas. They charged for 93 octane premium gas while pumping only regular grade. Best to fill up at the larger company owned gas stations.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, ZZP Intercooler, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Local news station here in the Detroit area ran a test on fuel detergent level. BP finished very well along with Shell. Speedway was very low. I go to Speedway for soda pop and snacky cakes, not gas. Also watch out for anything ethanol bleneded, it sucks. Speedway,Sunoco, Clark, and most of the cheap off labels are blended. Citgo is awful too. (Sh!t-don't-Go I call it) Here's the link:
Most all road fuels have some Ethanol today. They even up the levels in the winter time is some areas to try to make it burn cleaner. We get it here Nov through April. It gives them another excuse for raising the price when they change over.
i track my fuel mialge in all 3 of our cars. i get it from my dad i think as he seems obsessed with it was well. When using BP i typically see a 2-3 mpg bump over any other brands. this is in my 87 Fiero GT, 98 VW Golf, and a 2005 Dodge Stratus. this goes for multiple different BP Gas stations as well, not just the same one.
i dont know why, maybe it is the additives they add, but i always get better fuel economy with BP gas, even if it does come from the same tanker that goes to otehr stations.
------------------ My 365 Project My Videos 87 Fiero GT 5-speed. 98 Golf K2 5-speed 2.0 Minivan Drivers; they're good for fertilizer. Thats all.
Haven’t had any fuel related problems with BP so far. They merged with and phased out my favorite brand of pump gas years ago. It is less expensive for me to purchase BP fuel than any other brand. I signed up for the VISA CHASE / BP credit card about seven years ago. There are no hidden fees and it pays you 5 % back on all BP fuel purchases, 2 % and 1 % back on everything else except other brands of fuel. When you first sign up, it pays 10 % back on their fuel for the first 60 days. Now keep in mind, this is a credit card and if you don’t pay the entire balance off every month then you have no reason to own this card. I use it mostly for fuel and driving 30 K miles annually the rewards cash adds up fast. Do the math, thought someone would find this useful.
BP is the only gas I use in both my Fiero's, not to mention my other cars. usually I'll just run the silver, but sometimes run the gold if I'm diong some real performance driving. correct me if I'm wrong, but BP formally was Amaco, which to me was always the best. My Fieros run excellent on BP, so I'll even go out of my way to get to a BP station. DON"T RUN CHEAP GAS !!!!! Its JUNK FOOD for your engine. Spend the few extra pennies, and keep your engine running at its finest !
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06:44 AM
Pyrthian Member
Posts: 29569 From: Detroit, MI Registered: Jul 2002
I too will not give BP a dime of my cash. and, it is true that in most regions, all the gas comes from the same place. but, this "same place" does in fact have more than one container to store fuel, and they do in fact make different blends for different brands. there actually are the slightest of differences between fuel brands. and, there also is the condition of the actual tanks at the stations themselves. if the station you get fuel from has over 20 year old tanks - may not want to fuel there. "water in the gas" - in reality - not very likely to be the fuel pumps fault. the pumps have a water soluable shut-off. there is a ball, coated with a quick soluable coating. if that coating dissolves - because of water - there fuel flow is blocked. and it happens quickly, and with very little percentage of water in the fuel. a bigger issue is just plain old dirt/junk in the fuel. a big clue: dont get fuel at a tstaion while it is getting - or just got - a fuel delivery. it stirs up the tanks.
I wont say you cant get a bad tank of gas. you can. it does happen. but, it is a sign of that single stations fuel tanks, not the brand of fuel.
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09:33 AM
BOBBY D Member
Posts: 477 From: mentor, ohio, USA Registered: Feb 2011
I wont say you cant get a bad tank of gas. you can. it does happen. but, it is a sign of that single stations fuel tanks, not the brand of fuel.
Finally a voice of knowledge. It is not the brand. Running BP gas is not better than speedway gas provided the stations are in equally good shape. There is no junkfood gas, running premium when your car requires regular does not do anything but make your pocket book lighter unless your car needs repaired. The actual station the guy got the gas from is probably the culprit, and if it is 2 of them it is probably owned by the same owner who is neglecting to perform the same necessary repairs at both stations.
Lastly, you will not have bad luck if you forget to forward an email to 20 of your closest friends. I know if you do it and you don't have bad luck you will say see it was because I forwarded that email. Same thing with only buying BP gas.
Stop picking on ethanol, it's a non issue. Most of the gasoline related problems can be traced to recently filled ground tanks, or old gasoline from low volume gas stations.
..ETHANOL IS CRAP THAT DESTROYS FUEL PUMPS BEFORE THEY SHOULD WEAR OUT WHEN YOU USE 10% ETHANOL YOUR MPG DROPS 10% WITH ETHANOL,, THIS IS A POLITICAL BOONDOGGLE .ONLY PRESSURE FROM IGNORANT ENVIROMENTALIST KEEPS YOU PAYING EXTRA FOR A SUBSTANDARD PRODUCT,, THIS FIGHT WAS SETTLED 10 YEARS AGO YOU PAY MORE MONEY FOR ETHANOL,,A GALLON OF ETHANOL COST A LOT MORE THAN A GALLON OF PETROLEUM GAS.. VERY FEW CONGRESSMEN WILL TAKE ON THE HUGE CORRUPT ETHANOL LOBBY,,STICK YOUR HEAD UP ON THIS ONE & MONEY FLOODS TO YOUR OPPONENT ,, THE PUBLIC IS BEING SCREWED, SO A FEW CAN GET RICH,AND A FEW DEMOCRAT HAVE SATIFACTION KNOWING A DEMOCRAT TOTALTARIAN RULE WAS FORCED ON YOU FOR YOUR OWN GOOD. ETHANOL?? MAJOR BOONDOGGLE ETHANOL IS A LOSER IN EVERY WAY,,THE PEASANTS PAY, PAY,PAY
[This message has been edited by uhlanstan (edited 11-15-2011).]
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05:09 PM
PFF
System Bot
Gall757 Member
Posts: 10938 From: Holland, MI Registered: Jun 2010
Folks, I hate to tell you this but, did you know there is a nationwide network of pipelines that carry petroleum products from refineries throughout the country to distribution centers where those big trucks with the big fuel tanks fill and then deliver to your local stations. One refinery's fuel gets mixed with all the other's. Due to pipeline, distribution center location and refinery locations, you or your area may get most of it's fuel from a particular set or a specific refinery but, it's pretty much all the same. The fuel must meet federal standards prior to leaving the refineries. This is not to suggest that some brands may have additives mixed in at the distribution centers ...
Correct! Most retail gasoline sold in cities, regardless of brand, comes from one or two local wholesale fuel/solvent distribution terminals. Proprietary detergents and other beneficial additives may be blended as the delivery truck is being filled, but the base gasoline stock is the same regardless of retail brand. The condition of the storage tanks and delivery system at the local station can have a big effect on the "quality" of the gas delivered to your tank. Also, delivery truck drivers do occasionally pump the wrong fuel into the wrong storage tank at the station; even a small amount of #2 diesel accidentally added to a gasoline storage tank will yield poor quality fuel from that tank for weeks to months.
quote
Here's one tip, never, I mean never fill up at a station that is receiving gas from a tanker or for several hours afterward if you can help it. When the tanker drops the fuel, all the contaminants that have settled to the bottom get stirred up and float around in the tank for a while until it settles again. You don't want that crap in your tank, let it settle back if you can.
Virtually all stations these days have final filters/water separators at the delivery point ... i.e. at the pump ... so this should be a non-issue. Of course, unscrupulous operators may fail to maintain the filters in their pumps or bypass them altogether. Name brand stations, whether company-owned or franchised, usually have better quality control imposed on them by the oil company.
quote
Originally posted by Australian:
The quality is in the octane not the brand.
Octane is unrelated to "quality" as being discussed here. It is just one property of gasoline, its knock resistance.
[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 11-17-2011).]
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12:05 PM
crazykid87 Member
Posts: 131 From: jacksonville florida Registered: Dec 2009
Here our fuel has a higher percentage of ethanol added during the winter. My mileage does decrease when the changeover occurs. I have run both "top tier" and regular gasoline in my cars and have not really noticed much differnce in mileage or performance. I do tend to run injector cleaners thru my cars on a regular basis though. I like the BG products for this.
In case some of you missed it, Sunoco expects to be completely out of the refining business by July 2012, and currently owns only 2 refineries. In all lilihood, someone else is probably already making some of their products for them. They have been losing $$ in refining since 2009 and will concentrate their efforts on their convience store and retail business as well as their import/terminal/and crude trade business known as Sun Logistics LPG.
quote
Exit from refinery business In 2011, Sunoco announced that it would leave the refinery business, stating that it had been losing money on these operations since 2009. It would close and attempt to sell its last two refineries: Philadelphia and Marcus Hook. Previously, Sunoco sold its refinery in Toledo, Ohio to PBF Energy Company, LLC.[5]
I agree with the folks that say it comes from the same refinery and I'll even go further and say the same truck delivers to a variety of differently branded stations(there's a reason there's no brands on the side of the truck). So, it all virtually the same gasoline. I'll also agree with those who say the condition of the stations tanks and how long the stuff has been in the tank affects what you're buying. I've been running the cheapest rot-gut gasoline I can find for over 37 years without any issues (that I know of). I prefer a cheap no-name brand with high customer volume over a name-brand station selling for more money as the cheap station gasoline is in the ground for maybe a maximum of a week where the more expensive name brand (low volume) gasoline may be a month or two old. My father-in-law only bought "red, white, and blue" (Chevron or Amaco) gasoline forever and he had fuel system problems the whole time he was trying to convince me I was wrong. What's worse, he was buying the mid-octane gas for his 87 octane vehicles. He did all of this because someone told him if he didn't he'd have problems. Now he buys the cheap stuff like me.