Are Shell/Exxon better than other Top Tier gasolines?

[mojoe]

I know there are similar threads on here, but don't see the info I'm looking for. I understand that they all are basically the same gasoline, but each has it's own unique, proprietary additive packages. I also understand that the Top Tier designation simply means that the gas contains a minimum level of detergent additives that have proven to have effective cleaning properties. I further understand that Shell and Exxon are Top Tier fuels. Given all of that, my question is, is there any reason to think that Shell or Exxon regular 87 octane is better, or has a better additive package than say regular 87 gas from QT, Costco, Citgo, and other Top Tier fuels?

 

[fantastic]

I know there are similar threads on here, but don't see the info I'm looking for. I understand that they all are basically the same gasoline, but each has it's own unique, proprietary additive packages. I also understand that the Top Tier designation simply means that the gas contains a minimum level of detergent additives that have proven to have effective cleaning properties. I further understand that Shell and Exxon are Top Tier fuels. Given all of that, my question is, is there any reason to think that Shell or Exxon regular 87 octane is better, or has a better additive package than say regular 87 gas from QT, Costco, Citgo, etc?

Top Tier stations should have better additives, above 87, in their premium octanes (90 octane etc.). I'd say their 87 are probably the minimum TT offering. I think QT & Costco are Top Tier too?

 

[shortyb]

Most (if not all) Top Tier stations will have the minimum detergent level additives (to achieve the TT rating) in their regular 87 offerings regardless of brand. Some have 2-5 times the minimum level in their premium fuels. Shell and Exxon have their proprietary additives, yes, but it depends on how much you believe their marketing claims as to whether they are better than the ones at other brand stations. Personally, I doubt there is much appreciable difference.

 

[mojoe]

Top Tier stations should have better additives, above 87, in their premium octanes (90 octane etc.). I'd say their 87 are probably the minimum TT offering. I think QT & Costco are Top Tier too?

Yes, Costco, QT, and Citgo are Top Tier, and that's why I ask if there is any reason to think that Shell/Exxon/Chevron gasolines are any better given they are all Top Tier.

 

[mojoe]

Most (if not all) Top Tier stations will have the minimum detergent level additives in their regular 87 offerings regardless of brand. Some have 2-5 times the level in their premium fuels. Shell and Exxon have their proprietary additives, yes, but it depends on how much you believe their marketing claims as to whether they are better than the ones at other brand stations. Personally, I doubt there is much appreciable difference.

If their premium/higher octane fuels have stronger additive packages, wouldn't there be an advantage in using the premium/higher octane? Yet the consensus seems to be that there is no such advantage. Confused and wondering if anybody really knows.

 

[k1xv]

I always thought that a TopTier designation meant all grades of fuel, not just premium, had more than the minimum EPA required level of detergent additives. I use 93 ExxonMobil in my Corvette, but that is because its the cheapest premium in my area.

 

[walterjay]

I know that I consistently get 1.5mpg more with Exxon over other TT fuels.

 

[Japanese]

If their premium/higher octane fuels have stronger additive packages,

It depends what is under additive package?
What additive package a gasoline needs to be better than other that doesn't have it?

A 93 octane usually doesn't have ethanol and high octane gasoline gives you better MPG and it also burns cooler than lower octane gas.

 

[HemiBenny]

All I can say is that a 20 year old riding mower that I use has had nothing but a steady diet of gas from the Shell station down the road. It has never had carb issues like so many other people have had, especially with this ethanol garbage. (It’s a Craftsman built by MTD)
It had 87 octane from 2005 until 2011, that’s 6 years. When I bought my Ram, it started getting 89 octane since that’s what gets put in my truck. (I fill the truck up while I’m there when I get gas for the mower.)
Yearly oil changes, gas from that Shell station, and I have never replaced anything except belts, blades, and one spindle.
Does any of that prove anything? I don’t know. I do know that it seems to be working for me, and that mower, that according to most people, should have crapped the bed 15 years ago.

I think getting any top tier fuel from a “busy” station, regardless of brand, is key. My local Shell station is very busy.
I will say that I do seek out Shell stations while traveling due to my positive experience with my local Shell.

 

[k1xv]

True, 93 octane pump fuel usually has less ethanol than 87.

 

[Burt]

I know that I consistently get 1.5mpg more with Exxon over other TT fuels.

Hate to tell you but the gasoline comes from a common pipe and common tanks used by all the stations. Exxon only adds a proprietary additive package of detergents.

 

[walterjay]

Hate to tell you but the gasoline comes from a common pipe and common tanks used by all the stations. Exxon only adds a proprietary additive package of detergents.

I know that but it appears their proprietary additives work better than some. Gasoline is gasoline but additives make the difference.

 

[mojoe]

I always thought that a TopTier designation meant all grades of fuel, not just premium, had more than the minimum EPA required level of detergent additives. I use 93 ExxonMobil in my Corvette, but that is because its the cheapest premium in my area.

It does, all grades. That is the Top Tier requirement. my only point was that some people (and some in this thread) believe that the higher octane/premium grades contain a much stronger additive package than in 87/regular, and I an trying to find a source to confirm that.

 

[Patman]

I know that but it appears their proprietary additives work better than some. Gasoline is gasoline but additives make the difference.

Perhaps it has less ethanol than the others. If it has 5% compared to 10% that could easily count for a 1.5 MPG improvement in some cars.

 

[WeyounDS9]

I would add that from consumer perception, Chevron, Exxon and Shell certainly have the best perceived quality in the US with BP being close behind.

Are our perceptions justified?
Difficult to say, since we dont have all the data.
Even so when in the US, I prefer those 3.

In Germany Shell +BP seems have the best rep followed by Aral and Esso (Esso being Exxon Germany).
How much of that is markting?
Again difficult to say, I looked a lot for data on detergent packets, but found nearly none.

 

[mojoe]

It depends what is under additive package?
What additive package a gasoline needs to be better than other that doesn't have it?

A 93 octane usually doesn't have ethanol and high octane gasoline gives you better MPG and it also burns cooler than lower octane gas.

For instance, if the 87 octane contains the minimum to meet the Top Tier requirement, and the higher octane versions (89,91) contain the same add pack but at 2 to 5 times the amount, wouldn't the higher octane versions do a better job of cleaning your engine? Or is the extra additive pointless?

 

[mojoe]

It depends what is under additive package?
What additive package a gasoline needs to be better than other that doesn't have it?

A 93 octane usually doesn't have ethanol and high octane gasoline gives you better MPG and it also burns cooler than lower octane gas.

Is that well documented or is that your personal experience?

 

[mojoe]

I would add that from consumer perception, Chevron, Exxon and Shell certainly have the best perceived quality in the US with BP being close behind.

Are our perceptions justified?
Difficult to say, since we dont have all the data.
Even so when in the US, I prefer those 3.

In Germany Shell +BP seems have the best rep followed by Aral and Esso (Esso being Exxon Germany).
How much of that is markting?
Again difficult to say, I looked a lot for data on detergent packets, but found nearly none.

I get that. I'm just trying to sort out perception from reality.

 

[Japanese]

It's well documented in all cars I had. You can search the Net, if you like.
The ECU controls the amount of gasoline entering tge cylinders at anytime and if the gas is more volatile it injects less in order to keep certain combustion and EGT properties.
This is if you want to run 93 in a car designed to run on 87. In a high copression engine, you don't have choice but run always 93.

 

[Japanese]

Talking about ethanol in the gas, companies use ethanol, not only to sell you less gasoline, but also it bumps up its octane.
Meaning a 87 octane is even lower octane before they mix it with 10% ethanol. So it's a win-win situation for oil companies.