I own a 95 Chevy Lumina now with 191k on her. I purchased it with 50k and the past 150k I have used nothing but BP, Shell, and Mobil. I’ve always been from the mindset that brand name or top tier is the way to go to keep my fuel injector clean. As of lately, I have been in a rush and found myself stopping at the local gas station called Qik-N-EZ. One thing I will say, going there I have learned to HATE the gas pumps at the brand name places. I just swipe my card and the next second I can fill the tank without playing 21 questions with the gas pump before it lets you fill up. Anyway, they say the guarantee their gas for what that’s worth. All places do. I want to know from people like me who keep their cars until they go to the junkyard if you have used non-branded gasoline and ever had a fuel related problem or needed cleaning as a result??? As I get older, I’m getting sort of tired of driving the extra mile or two just because it’s got to be brand name. Or, should I stick with my original thought and stay with the branded stations?
Question about non-branded gasoline.
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High volume stations will always have fresh fuel. Top Tier is the best bet, but no name and an occasional Techron super dose would be fine.
I stick to top tier because it is convenient, low price and good quality. I also dose with Techron before each oil change.
I stick to top tier because it is convenient, low price and good quality. I also dose with Techron before each oil change.
You can always just use your fuel of choice and add a can of Techron Concentrate Plus at 7K-10K intervals.
That's precisely what Hyundai manuals recommend under circumstances of using fuels that you can't confirm as Top Tier.
That's precisely what Hyundai manuals recommend under circumstances of using fuels that you can't confirm as Top Tier.
I've got bad gas from every station out there, major brand or off brand. Bad gas like causing engine stumbling and things like that.
If you want any sort of insurance or ever have issues you can always just get yourself a bottle of Techron or PEA containing injector cleaner which should do wonders keeping things in check.
Guaranteed people here start shouting you need Top Tier fuel and offbrand gas is horrible but most offbrand gas is identical bulk fuels sold to name brand retailers. Also, -all- fuel contains a specific minimum amount of necessary additives. I say use it and love life.
If you want any sort of insurance or ever have issues you can always just get yourself a bottle of Techron or PEA containing injector cleaner which should do wonders keeping things in check.
Guaranteed people here start shouting you need Top Tier fuel and offbrand gas is horrible but most offbrand gas is identical bulk fuels sold to name brand retailers. Also, -all- fuel contains a specific minimum amount of necessary additives. I say use it and love life.
Originally Posted By: Mark72
I own a 95 Chevy Lumina now with 191k on her. I purchased it with 50k and the past 150k I have used nothing but BP, Shell, and Mobil. I’ve always been from the mindset that brand name or top tier is the way to go to keep my fuel injector clean. As of lately, I have been in a rush and found myself stopping at the local gas station called Qik-N-EZ. One thing I will say, going there I have learned to HATE the gas pumps at the brand name places. I just swipe my card and the next second I can fill the tank without playing 21 questions with the gas pump before it lets you fill up. Anyway, they say the guarantee their gas for what that’s worth. All places do. I want to know from people like me who keep their cars until they go to the junkyard if you have used non-branded gasoline and ever had a fuel related problem or needed cleaning as a result??? As I get older, I’m getting sort of tired of driving the extra mile or two just because it’s got to be brand name. Or, should I stick with my original thought and stay with the branded stations?
My Story: 2000 Ford Taurus. Bought new, Sold @ 275K in December,2012. It got whatever the least expensive 87 was at the time and a bottle of Techron every 5K or so. Never a fuel related issue. You will get the usual "If it ain't Top Tier, it ain't nothin'" but I never (and still don't) go out of my way or incur additional cost for "Top Tier" fuel. If the stars align magically and Gas Buddy points me to a "top Tier" station that is low bid, than so be it. Other than that, I look for a clean high-volume station that replenishes their stock frequently.
I own a 95 Chevy Lumina now with 191k on her. I purchased it with 50k and the past 150k I have used nothing but BP, Shell, and Mobil. I’ve always been from the mindset that brand name or top tier is the way to go to keep my fuel injector clean. As of lately, I have been in a rush and found myself stopping at the local gas station called Qik-N-EZ. One thing I will say, going there I have learned to HATE the gas pumps at the brand name places. I just swipe my card and the next second I can fill the tank without playing 21 questions with the gas pump before it lets you fill up. Anyway, they say the guarantee their gas for what that’s worth. All places do. I want to know from people like me who keep their cars until they go to the junkyard if you have used non-branded gasoline and ever had a fuel related problem or needed cleaning as a result??? As I get older, I’m getting sort of tired of driving the extra mile or two just because it’s got to be brand name. Or, should I stick with my original thought and stay with the branded stations?
My Story: 2000 Ford Taurus. Bought new, Sold @ 275K in December,2012. It got whatever the least expensive 87 was at the time and a bottle of Techron every 5K or so. Never a fuel related issue. You will get the usual "If it ain't Top Tier, it ain't nothin'" but I never (and still don't) go out of my way or incur additional cost for "Top Tier" fuel. If the stars align magically and Gas Buddy points me to a "top Tier" station that is low bid, than so be it. Other than that, I look for a clean high-volume station that replenishes their stock frequently.
No name has certain additives by law. BUT not to the extent Top Tier fuels do. I'm not sure BP is top tier. I've never read or sen a ad from BP stating additives like the others. don't buy BP for a number of reasons. EVER.
Who do you think makes "non-branded" gasoline? I worked for almost 12 years for one of those off-brand gasoline retailers and the gas always came from either what was then Union 76 or Sunoco (Toledo refineries). The competitors around the corner got theirs from Ashland Oil in Findlay. In all likelihood, what you get at your local fuel outlet is being trucked in from the nearest refinery or distribution point. Only the mixing in of various additives differentiates the end product from one brand to the next...and it's a minor difference at that. It's even possible that "BP Gas" (for example) was actually refined by someone else and had additives put in to meet BP specifications if it made economic sense to truck it a short distance rather than a long distance.
I use RaceTrac gasoline and a bottle of Techron or Redline every 20K miles.
No need for expensive brand name gasoline.
No need for expensive brand name gasoline.
Wife had a 93 corsica with 3.1 (not 3100) like your car and it did great on the cheap stuff.
You guys act like a bottle of Techron is free or something. All things being equal, its better to buy high detergent gas in the first place and save the high dollar cleaner. Hyundai says you should buy a bottle of Techron if you have to use no-name gas? Sounds reasonable, but realize that that's a backhanded way of saying that name brand gas is something of a priority to begin with.
There is a difference because I've seen it with my own eyes. I visited a refinery that supplied chevron and a large regional chain. The stuff sent to Chevron got a load of detergent as the tanker trucks left. The regional chain nada. They charge the same at the pump, by the way.
There was a time when it all came from the same refinery and that was that. I never gave a second thought to getting it from the absolute cheapest place I could. Those days are over. The fuel injection systems have gotten much more complex.
The manual of my new Ford makes it very clear that I should be using brand name gas. That's a new development, and consistent with what Hyundai evidently is saying. Take a hint, you guys.
There is a difference because I've seen it with my own eyes. I visited a refinery that supplied chevron and a large regional chain. The stuff sent to Chevron got a load of detergent as the tanker trucks left. The regional chain nada. They charge the same at the pump, by the way.
There was a time when it all came from the same refinery and that was that. I never gave a second thought to getting it from the absolute cheapest place I could. Those days are over. The fuel injection systems have gotten much more complex.
The manual of my new Ford makes it very clear that I should be using brand name gas. That's a new development, and consistent with what Hyundai evidently is saying. Take a hint, you guys.
JHZR2
Staff member
In theory the EPA required adds are sufficient. Some manufacturers for whatever reason dont believe so... whether it is due to advertising or a real technical basis...
I generally use a maintenance dose, with the belief that less is more, and then dont worry about it beyond that.
I generally use a maintenance dose, with the belief that less is more, and then dont worry about it beyond that.
Originally Posted By: GrtArtiste
Only the mixing in of various additives differentiates the end product from one brand to the next...and it's a minor difference at that.
It is NOT a minor difference if the additive amounts keep an engine intake and fuel system clean vs having it coked up with carbon deposits. This may depend on the engine type BUT SAE tests have proven high detergent additive gasoline to be QUITE different than low detergent gasoline when it comes to keeping engines clean.
Only the mixing in of various additives differentiates the end product from one brand to the next...and it's a minor difference at that.
It is NOT a minor difference if the additive amounts keep an engine intake and fuel system clean vs having it coked up with carbon deposits. This may depend on the engine type BUT SAE tests have proven high detergent additive gasoline to be QUITE different than low detergent gasoline when it comes to keeping engines clean.
No one ever said Techron is free. It can be inexpensive if you know how to buy it (AAP BOGO's or Costco on sale.)
However in the case of my work commute: 650mi./week @30mi/gal = 21.6 gal. At a .20 average differential for buying Shell (only TT in my area. not including the extra 25 mile round trip to fill up at nearest Shell station) would = $4.32 per week. I calculate that it takes 7.69 weeks to hit the 5K interval I use, so 7.69 weeks x $4.32= $33.22. That buys a lot of Techron around here.
As you can see, I have a 2008 Mustang, which I bought new. The gas cap advises me that I should use BP fuel. While I understand that BP paid Ford to allow that to be put there, the last time I checked BP was not "Top Tier" fuel.
However in the case of my work commute: 650mi./week @30mi/gal = 21.6 gal. At a .20 average differential for buying Shell (only TT in my area. not including the extra 25 mile round trip to fill up at nearest Shell station) would = $4.32 per week. I calculate that it takes 7.69 weeks to hit the 5K interval I use, so 7.69 weeks x $4.32= $33.22. That buys a lot of Techron around here.
As you can see, I have a 2008 Mustang, which I bought new. The gas cap advises me that I should use BP fuel. While I understand that BP paid Ford to allow that to be put there, the last time I checked BP was not "Top Tier" fuel.
The name on the sign of a gas station doesn't make a big difference.
There are no Qik-N-EZ oil refineries. They simple buy bulk at a higher price but saves on franchise fees. It comes in the same truck by the same driver from the same refinery as the BP/Mobil/Shell station across the street.
There are no Qik-N-EZ oil refineries. They simple buy bulk at a higher price but saves on franchise fees. It comes in the same truck by the same driver from the same refinery as the BP/Mobil/Shell station across the street.
If engines/fuel systems being afflicted with carbon deposits is primarily the result of low-detergent gasoline, I'd expect the problem to be much more widely recognized. I'm no mechanic, but I suspect low-detergent gas is not the only cause.
Originally Posted By: Gabe
The name on the sign of a gas station doesn't make a big difference.
There are no Qik-N-EZ oil refineries. They simple buy bulk at a higher price but saves on franchise fees. It comes in the same truck by the same driver from the same refinery as the BP/Mobil/Shell station across the street.
Absolutely it comes from the same refienry. But as I have witnessed the no-name gas doesn't get the dose of detergent on the way out. That's also how the oil companies make sure that only their product is being sold in their retail outlets. The detergent pack serves as a tracer. So they have an incentive not to gratuitously charge every truck with the detergent additive.
As far as "Top-tier" vs. non Top-tier goes, I'll stay away from that. Independent studies suggest that BP Exxon and I believe Shell have relatively heavy additives of detergent. Personally I go to Phillips 66 because its cheaper.
I suppose if the price differential is big enough then it would theoretically be worth your while to buy the Techron. On the other hand, if there is a 20 cent price differential between what you can get at no-name station and what you can get at say, Costco, I'd be pretty suspicious for that reason alone. Gas is a commodity, as you point out.
The name on the sign of a gas station doesn't make a big difference.
There are no Qik-N-EZ oil refineries. They simple buy bulk at a higher price but saves on franchise fees. It comes in the same truck by the same driver from the same refinery as the BP/Mobil/Shell station across the street.
Absolutely it comes from the same refienry. But as I have witnessed the no-name gas doesn't get the dose of detergent on the way out. That's also how the oil companies make sure that only their product is being sold in their retail outlets. The detergent pack serves as a tracer. So they have an incentive not to gratuitously charge every truck with the detergent additive.
As far as "Top-tier" vs. non Top-tier goes, I'll stay away from that. Independent studies suggest that BP Exxon and I believe Shell have relatively heavy additives of detergent. Personally I go to Phillips 66 because its cheaper.
I suppose if the price differential is big enough then it would theoretically be worth your while to buy the Techron. On the other hand, if there is a 20 cent price differential between what you can get at no-name station and what you can get at say, Costco, I'd be pretty suspicious for that reason alone. Gas is a commodity, as you point out.
Originally Posted By: Gabe
The name on the sign of a gas station doesn't make a big difference.
There are no Qik-N-EZ oil refineries. They simple buy bulk at a higher price but saves on franchise fees. It comes in the same truck by the same driver from the same refinery as the BP/Mobil/Shell station across the street.
^ This.
As for Techron not being free, I'm saying if you think bad gas is causing problems, add it. If you're adding it every single tank you're a complete numpty and wasting your money.
Also Top Tier fuel has a shiney website and a ton of standards but I have yet to see exactly where the EPA level of additives are dangerously inferior and Top Tier is a thousand percent better. Most of Top Tiers requirements were met by fuels long before Top Tier came along.
Top Tier is like dexos specifications. A lot of oils meet dexos, its not like they're breaking the bank and heralding an entirely new design of gasoline.
Now, collecting money on licensing agreements for dexos...
The name on the sign of a gas station doesn't make a big difference.
There are no Qik-N-EZ oil refineries. They simple buy bulk at a higher price but saves on franchise fees. It comes in the same truck by the same driver from the same refinery as the BP/Mobil/Shell station across the street.
^ This.
As for Techron not being free, I'm saying if you think bad gas is causing problems, add it. If you're adding it every single tank you're a complete numpty and wasting your money.
Also Top Tier fuel has a shiney website and a ton of standards but I have yet to see exactly where the EPA level of additives are dangerously inferior and Top Tier is a thousand percent better. Most of Top Tiers requirements were met by fuels long before Top Tier came along.
Top Tier is like dexos specifications. A lot of oils meet dexos, its not like they're breaking the bank and heralding an entirely new design of gasoline.
Now, collecting money on licensing agreements for dexos...
Originally Posted By: hounddog
don't buy BP for a number of reasons. EVER.
What did BP do, kill your grandma? Its fuel, if people wanna buy there they can.
don't buy BP for a number of reasons. EVER.
What did BP do, kill your grandma? Its fuel, if people wanna buy there they can.
Only 3 suppliers here. Chevron. Shell and ampm. I got gas last night at a liquor store and the shell truck pulled up as I was leaving.
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Only 3 suppliers here. Chevron. Shell and ampm. I got gas last night at a liquor store and the shell truck pulled up as I was leaving.
Funny, we have the opposite here. Name brand stations get anonymous silver trucks. "JP Noonan transportation" is one.
Only 3 suppliers here. Chevron. Shell and ampm. I got gas last night at a liquor store and the shell truck pulled up as I was leaving.
Funny, we have the opposite here. Name brand stations get anonymous silver trucks. "JP Noonan transportation" is one.
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