Shell Stations

[borgward]

Valero is Top Tier.
https://www.toptiergas.com/gasoline-brands/
And the car's 'puter won't give you more power just because you put higher octane in if it wasn't designed to run on Premium gas. Just the opposite; Cars designed for Premium will retard ignition to mitigate knock if you put non-Premium in. It's a waste of money to put Premium in most cars on the road today.

Does it both ways. Depends on who makes the car. My wife's Cmax threw code for sensors. Was going to cost $2000 to replace them. Mechanic said he did not want the job said just run premium to clean them. That worked. I looked into replacing the sensors. I would want $3000 to do that job, so yes running high detergent premium is cost effective for us since she does not put a lot of mileage on it.

 

[CleanSump]

Does it both ways. Depends on who makes the car.

Can you give us an example of a car designed for 87 that will advance the ignition and give you more power on Premium gas?

 

[Selmorides]

Many Shell stations here in Illinois. I have been using their fuel rewards card for several years.

 

[borgward]

Can you give us an example of a car designed for 87 that will advance the ignition and give you more power on Premium gas?

Not going to bother. Try it yourself. Many devices you can plug into you car that show acceleration.

 

[Patman]

Can you give us an example of a car designed for 87 that will advance the ignition and give you more power on Premium gas?

The Mazda3 Turbo is set up like that. You can run it on 87, but if you use premium it makes about 15-20 more horsepower and a similar bump in torque

 

[SC Maintenance]

Can you give us an example of a car designed for 87 that will advance the ignition and give you more power on Premium gas?

If you understand engine control theory I would say technically any engine with closed loop and some version of VVT should, in theory.

However the performance improvement would certainly not be enough to feel, and the MPG increase would be almost too little to measure - like a couple percent at most. Given the price is usually 20% higher its unlikely worth it in any scenario.

 

[CleanSump]

Not going to bother. Try it yourself. Many devices you can plug into you car that show acceleration.

As I figured. Your Fiesta isn't one of them. Look in your owners manual.

 

[CleanSump]

The Mazda3 Turbo is set up like that. You can run it on 87, but if you use premium it makes about 15-20 more horsepower and a similar bump in torque

@SC Maintenance
If you understand engine control theory I would say technically any engine with closed loop and some version of VVT should, in theory.

However the performance improvement would certainly not be enough to feel, and the MPG increase would be almost too little to measure - like a couple percent at most. Given the price is usually 20% higher its unlikely worth it in any scenario.

Thank you for actual answers.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I would love to see a most common gas station chart by state.

Here in SC the local chains are taking over - Spinx, Parkers. QT is starting to ramp up also.

When I travel I see a lot of others. Wawa, QT and Sheetz. Gate in North Florida is pretty common.

Given the gasoline brands don't seem to much care about the retail side, and these other companies are happy to run brandless I have to wonder how it plays out.

 

[CleanSump]

I would love to see a most common gas station chart by state.

Went looking for that very thing last week. Here ya go:
https://www.scrapehero.com/location... Mobil and Marathon,7,841 locations in the US.

 

[HemiBenny]

I guess I’m lucky. I’ve got 4 Shell stations within a 10 mile radius of my house. With that said, I’ve never had a problem finding a Shell station on our road trips.

 

[CleanSump]

I guess I’m lucky. I’ve got 4 Shell stations within a 10 mile radius of my house. With that said, I’ve never had a problem finding a Shell station on our road trips.

I wanted to like Shell, but the Exxon across the street from it is 10 cents cheaper and takes our grocery points on top of that.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I guess I’m lucky. I’ve got 4 Shell stations within a 10 mile radius of my house. With that said, I’ve never had a problem finding a Shell station on our road trips.

I am definitely done with shell - based on my latest road trip. They can keep there V Power and 3rd world environment. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/i-think-i-am-done-with-indy-gas-stations.405934/

The one Shell close to me is where my kids told me in high school the kids went to buy stuff because they don't card anyone.

 

[y_p_w]

Valero is the largest refiner of gasoline in the USA. Your likely buying Valero gas at many Shell, Chevron or Exxon stations depending on location. What is it you dislike about Valero?

Base fuel is a fungible commodity. However, the branding comes from the additives. And the Valero retail brand is separate from the refiner.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Base fuel is a fungible commodity. However, the branding comes from the additives. And the Valero retail brand is separate from the refiner.

Valero Energy Corporation owns the Valero retail brand name. They license and franchise it. As do most companies, including Shell. I think Shell only owns a handful of stores anymore. Ditto with Chevron and Exxon - if any.

Valero did sell all there company owned stores some time ago.

 

[HemiBenny]

I am definitely done with shell - based on my latest road trip. They can keep there V Power and 3rd world environment. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/i-think-i-am-done-with-indy-gas-stations.405934/

The one Shell close to me is where my kids told me in high school the kids went to buy stuff because they don't card anyone.

The 4 around me are clean, well lit at night, and there’s always 2-3 people working there.
Like a lot of things, maybe it has a lot to do with location and ownership. On my road trips, I’ve hit Shell stations, with a mix of Love’s Travel stops here and there, and never had an issue.
The shady station around here is an Exxon station right off of I40. It’s the one that always has chip readers found in the gas pumps and half of the lights don’t work. If you walk in, you smell the over powering smell of incense. (If that tells you anything. )
Funny thing is, there’s a Shell station and a Phillips 66 across from it and they never have problems. (Locals own those stations.)

 

[Chris142]

Several way overpriced shell stations have opened up around here. Them and chevron are usually atleast $1 more per gallon than the other stations.

 

[borgward]

As I figured. Your Fiesta isn't one of them. Look in your owners manual.

Ford owner manuals are notoriously wrong. Say something on one page and contradict it on another.

 

[ATex7239]

Shells are all over Texas. Shell, ExxonMobil and QT are the vast majority of fuel places in Texas and all are top tier.

 

[WarEagle]

I posted about some Florida shells here. I agree with you. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/i-think-i-am-done-with-indy-gas-stations.405934/

All the former Shell’s here changed to circle K a few years ago.


Interestingly I have seen a couple new ones around here. There just not close.

Same here in AL. Had several locally and several on the interstate exits and they’re almost all circle Ks now. Many were already circle Ks but with Shell branded fuel. We only have one Shell locally now and it’s a nice, newer station.