Improved mileage with different brands?

[Johnny248]

Hey guys. I'm just wondering if this is possible, or just something strange is going on. I've been using Shell 93 in my car about a year or so (convenient gas station, plus I know it is quality). I was just about out of gas and decided to fill up at Costco while I was there. Used Costco 93. Now, I usually get anywhere between 330 - 360 miles on a tank, giver or take a few miles (this is not an exact science) However, I only got about 290something out of the tank of Costco fuel. With all the commercials for Nitrogen Enriched, Invigorate, STP, etc is it possible that these "Premium" fuels burn more efficiently?

 

[chambers]

It's possible, and it doesn't seem at all strange that going from premium top tier gas to premium bargain gas would cause a loss in mileage.

 

[Johnny248]

Just seems weird. You hear all the time that people say gas is gas, blah blah blah. But Who knows what "brand" fuel Costco is actually selling. I think I want my Shell back. I know they are a Top Tier fuel, and I've read about it but no one will actually say that it is better, or will be better for you car except the companies that are top tier =)

 

[chambers]

I'll say it's better, but I don't run premium and for what I run I never saw any mpg benefit. I do believe that it keeps your engine cleaner than cheaper gas even though many say all gas has plenty of additives to do this.

 

[Johnny248]

My car states "Premium Fuel Required" 91+ We have 87,89,93 in Michigan. (You can find 92 at some discount stations, and of course 94 at Sunoco)

 

[chambers]

Yea my Mom's car needs premium as well, unfortunate as it's like 40 cents more per gallon. What happened to the good old days of 20 cents more for premium vs. regular?

 

[Johnny248]

Here it's pretty much 2.xx + .10 mid, + another .10 permium

 

[Durango]

I use Cosco gas all the time and haven't noticed any difference in mileage between discount OR Top Tier gasoline.

In my neighborhood the Shell station is way too expensive for my pocket book even if it has "Nitrogen" enriched in it. Current price of regular is now $3.90 aand the premium 91 octane is #3.99.

Cosco, Arco or Conoco Phillips 76 is the only gas I currentlyuse now.


Durango

 

[Johnny248]

$3.99? I was [censored] that it cost me $2.759 for my premium last time I filled it lol

 

[Durango]

Jdblya,

That's right.....$3.99 for 91 octane/premium gasoline!!!! Now don't get me wrong as their's other Shell gas stations in the general area that sell Shell for much less. By general I mean with in the 4 miles of range. This guy is just price gougeing people in the area cuz of convience wise. In a way I can't blame him cuz we have allot of stupid people that insist on buying is gas just because he has a sign saying that Shell is enriched with "NITROGEN" Again for myself, I'll stick with my tried n' true Cosco, Arco and Phillipps/Conoco 76. Heck I work in the area of UCLA/Bel Air area and the price of gas is much lower in the fancy rich neighborhoods compared to this dude.

So far his prices have remained steady at: $3.90/regular
$3.95/mid grade
$3.99/supreme

Greedyness is alive and well :-(((

Durango

 

[Johnny248]

I have a BP station like that. It happens to be the one gas station north of the big mall, and a good 4-5 miles any direction to get to the next closest. And his gas is always .20-.30 per gallon more. And on top if it, the prices lit up on the sign outside have a small sign next to it that says "Price with Wash" so if you don't spend $5-9 on a [censored] car wash, you pay another .10 on top of it. I never buy fuel there unless I need a gallon for the lawn mower or something so I don't have to make a trip.

 

[Durango]

Jdblya,

That's why I stay with what I know will work in my truck/car and to be sure I toss in the gas tank a big bottle of Techron about every other month or so. That way I'm pretty much covered.

Like I said for myself I notice nothing different in MPG/reliability in my engines regardless of the brand I choose to use. All that matters to me is the MPG based on when I'm on the highway more than I do in the city.

Besides all I see is their advertisments on TV and noticed no reald data on wether Nitrogen reall is benificial or not. Give me PROOF that Shell/Nitorgen is worth it and maybe I'll try it once/twice/three times just to see if it works. Otherwise I'mm just stick to Techron.

Durango