Gasoline can and does vary by brand and region. In this area, there are two refineries and gasoline is also delivered from other sources. Whether its additive packages or actual gasoline differences, I have noted a wide variation in mileage (Best has been Phillips 66 - 17.6 mpg, worst is Texaco at 16.0 mpg). This is with almost six years of fuel records now. I also have had problems running Amoco 87 - it pings in the truck and also in my car. My solution is to not run Amoco gasoline here.

Ethanol and Methanol are different. The short story on ethanol is that in later model cars and engines (say 1990 or so), there should be no problems with seals, gaskets, etc, in the fuel systems. The noticeable side effect is slightly decreased gas mileage (EPA estimtes pinpoint this at 2-5%). In some places, ethanol is Mandated in all fuels (like here in MN).

 

Thanks for all the follow up. Just emphasize the fact that location can also be a factor, I will tell you all a short story about my friend and his 73 Chevy Nova ( In know a chevy )

My pal, with the 73 Nova, babied his car, he loved his car, he polished his car. He put Shell or Chevron or Texaco, the good quality and expensive gas in his tank. He did this religiously until one day he was short on funds. Being forced to make a choice between gas or cigarettes, he made a fatal error. He chose to get both and so he ended up at one of these old "economy" gas stations. At this point, I had just picked my girlfriend up from school ( was in High School). After doing so, I coincidentaly bumped into my pal and so I decided to follow him while he drove the Nova to get gas. My pal filled his tank with this "economy" juice of death. Moments later, while he pulled out of the gas station, his car seizured, coughed, gulped and finally started to backfire vehemently. During the cars last fit of protest, the backfire was so intense it blew his Flowmaster right off the car. The only word that came out of his mouth was, FXXX!

I know it was a horrable thing to do but my girlfriend and I couldn't help but laugh. I learned to not sacrifice quality for anything!!! It turned out that this gas station had leaky storage tanks, and his Nova has since passed on to the graveyard of his driveway.

good luck everyone

 

I've been going to the Phillips 66 around here, they've always got cheaper prices than the other brand names. They're located across the street from a brandless "QT" gas station, and they have to compete, so the prices are low.
Who owns Phillips 66? Are they independent? What do you know about them, and is it "good enough" gas? Is it an actual "brand name" like Shell, Exxon, Amoco, and these others, or is it a reseller, like Race Track or QT?
By the way, I've had bad experiences with Race Track gas. Don't go there ever, they're doing something wrong ...

 

I don't know the specifics but I know shell, exxon, texico are national chains ( if not international). As for phillips 66, I don't think we have those stations here in California; or at least, I haven't seen any. Anyone know?

 

Phillips is currently in the process of merging with Conoco. Here is some info from Phillip's web page.


Founded in Oklahoma in 1917, Phillips Petroleum Company’s operations now span the globe. The company is engaged in:

- Petroleum exploration and production on a worldwide scale.
- Natural gas gathering, processing and marketing in North America through equity interest in Duke Energy Field Services.
- Petroleum refining, marketing and transportation in the United States.
- Chemicals and plastics production and distribution worldwide through equity interest in Chevron Phillips Chemical Company.
- Developing technology for its own use, as well as for licensing worldwide.

Phillips 66 – the company’s trademark red and white shield – is recognized around the world as the symbol of a major integrated petroleum company with a world-class work force.

Phillips has 38,700 employees and $35 billion of assets, and had $26.9 billion of revenues in 2001. The company’s technologies are licensed and used in 39 countries. For a quick year-end financial overview and the most recent quarterly numbers, see Phillips at a Glance. For a more in-depth review, see the 2001 Annual Report or the 2001 Fact Book.


MF150, that is a funny story about your friend, however, I doubt a little gas could cause all that havoc. Especially considering that there is at least enough "old" gas in the lines and carb to get beyond the gas station exit. Furthermore, unless it is less than five years old, almost every UST has leaked at one time or another whether it be at an nameless station or at a branded station.

 

My dad had a late 80's model Jaguar that was absolutely ruined by bad gas from a Stop and Go here in the Dallas area... He took it to the dealership several times trying to get it corrected before finally giving up on it and trading it in. Haven't been back to Stop and Go since...

 

my other vehicle is a 99' pontiac montana minivan and when i put race track 87 octane gas in it it started to violently misfire then i put in mobile 87 and it ran fine i use 87 texaco in my 98' f-150 and not 1 engne problem.

 

Here is what I know about this. (not much)
We have a oil refinery here in the county and two relatives work there.
For years it was an AMOCO oil refinery.
A couple of years ago BP bought it.
Just recently, it was sold to a group called GIANT from out in the Southwest someplace.

During all of this the production process did not change.

 

Union 76 is oil is 90% from the USA........NOT made from Towelhead oil that pays for terrorism. Shell is 100% Towelhead oil.

 

JimmSimm,

I am not saying that is was the gas, just that it was ironic ( a sign from God telling us not to buy cheap gas) HaHa. It was funny because his car was running fine until he stopped at that gas station. ( New 350ci., new Carb, New tranny, etc. he was rather upset at the situation and fell into a state of depression as a result!
I just feel the extra 10 cents per gallon is worth it. It is a sense, albeit maybe false, that we are getting quality vs quantity. I am in no way condoning the high price, but when it is a difference between $1.85 at a off brand gas station and $1.95 at Chevron, the choice is clear.

I don't know how do you feel about it? What about this new gas made from corn? Starting to see it in many Arco stations in Nor. California?

Have a nice day gents and ladies...

 

mf150

I recently read that Ca. has the most consitent gasoline (branded or unbranded) of anywhere in the U.S. due to the super stringent regs. Contact the California Air Resources Board to find out more about your state's quality requirements.

 

You seem to misinterpret where I am comming from Jimmsimm.
I just wanted to share somthing that I thought was relavent, funny and ironic, too. Just havin fun and expressing my opinions. After all, isn't that what we are doing here? Everyone, have a nice evening!

 

NOPE, they use Union 76 aka. Unical

 

VERY INCORRECT there Rick99, I don't know where you are getting your figures but neither is true. Infact much of the crude that shell imports to North America is Brent North Sea Crude, as in the North Sea, you know that big wet area north of Europe and not at all in the middle east.

 

This is not my area of expertise and I sure ain't gonna argue with a guy named "Petrol".