Wow, and this topic is not closed or moved!
Anyway, let's get to it.
quote:
777, I totally agree.. Marathon is good stuff.. I got some on the way to NY, and got excellent mileage over the three tanks I used.
For 89, I will blend 50/50 premium and regular. Same price as the point spread, maybe (most likely) more cleaning agents, and should be 90 octane. I also look for the pumps with dedicated hoses for each grade. That way I know if I select premium, I'm getting it, not a hose and pipe full of regular from the customer before.
Marathon uses Techron as their additive package, but more importantly, recently upgraded their additive package to meet STP fuel economy and engine cleaning abilities! So the first part of your statement is correct, Marathon gas is good stuff. In fact, It's GREAT stuff.
As far as dedicated hoses are concerned, they are going away, blending pumps becoming more common to reduce maintenance and costs of new pumps. The difference is negligeble in an automotive sized fillup...10 gallons or more, but motorcycle rider (2-3 gal.) should pay close attention.
Most gasoline sold these days is identical in all aspects EXCEPT for the additive package. I sell 6 brands of gasoline from my wholesale terminal, Exxon, Marathon, Speedway, BP, Citgo, and Chevron/Texaco, and a few others that are minor players. All of the base gasoline is identical, and we take the utmost care to ensure the cleanliness, octane, distillation, and additive packages meet the sellers specifications.
In various parts of the country, ethanol is currently mandated by state government. UNFORTUNATELY, ethanol now cost MORE than gasoline/gallon, so YOU don't get the savings...just the chaff. Take a look at Archer Daniels Midland, 2nd quarter profits if you think this is not true. Ethanol is now about $5.00/gallon NOT taking into consideration the $.50/gal. goernment subsidy....taken out of taxes we all pay. What a great deal.
The major differences come in with the additives, the care taken to ensure cleanliness, and the quality of the base product... and I choose Marathon/Speedway EVERY time!