Is it worth using expensive gas?

[ArkiStan]

I know a similar topic emerged in the "Got Deals" forum recently but I really wanted to get morea into it.[/p]
Gas prices can differ greatly depending on where you fill up and I was wondering if going to the cheap "not-a-big-chain" brand stations will mess up my car. If not, I surely can save a lot. If they are that different, any recommendations on which gas stations are better than others?

[hapoo]

almost all gas is the same, even places like chevron that advertise having "Techron" sell their gas w/ Techron to other gas stations. Smaller places like USA gas and other mom and pop stores also buy their gas from major refineries.

[Startide]

Originally posted by ucbstan:
Gas prices can differ greatly depending on where you fill up and I was wondering if going to the cheap "not-a-big-chain" brand stations will mess up my car.<hr>
Hmmm. I have no idea. I usually don't buy gasoline from the "not-a-big-chain" brands because I don't know what additives it has or doesn't have. It is dumb trust on my part that the name brands consistently add their respective customizing additives to the gas they all get from the same pipeline termination depot. I have no idea if any additives are added to the generic gasolines.

OBSERVATION: When I see a tanker truck at a gasoline station, it is refilling the tanks at the station. I assume that this process might stir up sediment in the storage tanks, so I usually don't buy gas right that second; I wait until X hours have passed before getting gas.

OBSERVATION: After many years of contiguously tracking my mileage with respect to the brand of gas used, there doesn't seem to be any difference between most brands of gas that I can see, all other things being equal (ie, no fair comparing 10% ethanol gas to full gas). I get less mileage with ethanol gas (consistently).

[phlick]

Kind of off topic, but what the hell is "oxygenated" gasoline that they sell here in the NW in the winter?

[hapoo]

they add oxygen to the gas so it burns easier

[Apex]

Oxygenated gas is kind of a funny thing. The benefit is it decreases exhaust emissions slightly. The bad part is it:

1. Decreases mileage by up to 12%, thus causing more polution per mile, though less per gallon.
2. Decreases horsepower and has a higher propensity for causing your engine to detonate (bad bad thing)
3. Causes certain types of rubber hoses (ie. older cars...fuel lines) to crack and leak
4. The manufacturing of this additive is causing major ground water contamination
5. Because of the added difficulties and materials, it adds to the price of your gasoline.

[giambona]

It seems to me that the car drives better on some gas than on others. When I use Shell gas, for instance, my car runs a lot better.

[pennypinch]

I would be absolutely amazed if you could actually tell.

[Grizybaer]

Oxygenated gas, that means they agg mtbe(methyl tert butyl Ether) right? Alot of companies use that to increase octane levels

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~Grizy
Great, so how much is shipping?

[jclark]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Apex:
Oxygenated gas is kind of a funny thing. The benefit is it decreases exhaust emissions slightly. The bad part is it:

1. Decreases mileage by up to 12%, thus causing more polution per mile, though less per gallon.
2. Decreases horsepower and has a higher propensity for causing your engine to detonate (bad bad thing)
3. Causes certain types of rubber hoses (ie. older cars...fuel lines) to crack and leak
4. The manufacturing of this additive is causing major ground water contamination
5. Because of the added difficulties and materials, it adds to the price of your gasoline.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
#1 and #2 are only partially correct. The oxygenates provide oxygen (duh) but it costs just as much energy to break it out of the oxygenate as it releases when it combines with gas. So the oxygenate doesn't provide any energy to the reaction, but it does take up volume in the fuel, reducing in lower fuel efficiency. This does translate to lower mpg, and more _emissions_ per mile. However, if the oxygenate/fuel mixture is properlly formulated, the emissions that are produced will have fewer reactive pollutants (CO, nitrogen compounds, and unburned hydrocarbons) and more 'good' emissions. (H2O and CO2.)

Now, as far as detonation goes, some oxygenated fuel (especially alcohol blends) can cause a too-lean condition that will lead to detonation in carburetted and older FI cars. Newer cars will usually adapt their mixture accordingly. A quick adjustment to your mixture at the beginning and end of the reformulated season will protect older cars. MTBE and other ethyls are excellent octane boosters, however, and while your mixture will still be 'lean' they help prevent detonation from occuring.

#3 - I've seen no evidence to support or deny this. Can't comment. #4 and #5 are essentially correct.

Check out the <A HREF="http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/fuels/mtbe/mtbe.htm">EPA's MBTE info page</A> and the <A HREF="http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/autos/gasoline-faq/part1.html">Gasoline FAQ</A> for more detailed information. And while I don't speak for my employer, my profit-sharing plan insists that I suggest you buy all your fuel from <A HREF="http://www.sinclairoil.com">Sinclair Oil</A>. Sorry I don't have any deals to add on to that request. (Well, <A HREF="http://www.topstop.net/coupon_odd.html">here's</A> some coupons for one of our customers. )

[This message has been edited by jclark (edited 08-17-2000).]

[This message has been edited by jclark (edited 08-17-2000).]

[420racer]

I use the cheapest gas for my 1988 Acura Integra, so far no problem. Just basic maintenance.

[ken]

How much less mileage do you get with ethenol (sic) blends?

[Grizybaer]

Hmm, i dont know if its psychological or something but i filled up with 93 at hess and it seems to have a little more kick. I'll check back next week when i change back to regular.

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~Grizy
Great, so how much is shipping?