Fuel brands revisited

Syclone · 09-04-2006, 01:05 PM

I've got about 4500 miles on my Prius (service soon). I've filled up about 11 - 12 times. Average MPG is about 43 -44. Probably 8 of those refills have been at a local BJ's. Based on what I've been hearing from the rest of the local Prius group, this is not anywhere near the mileage that they are getting. Local mileage for short trips is around 40

The last time there was a thread on gas brands and fuel mileage was in 2004.

Is there any consensus about which brands offer the best mileage. I have a feeling that this may have to do with the relative amount of Ethanol mixed with the gasoline. I think that all of the local gas stations claim to be using 10 percent Ethanol.

Also, does anybody know about any actual testing?

HokieHybrid · 09-04-2006, 01:23 PM

I previously bought primarily Shell gas b/c I had a rebate card that gave me Shell Gas. I got a new rebate card....so I get 5% of any gas...not just Shell. Soon afterwards I started complaining about a drop in my fuel economy. I have found Shell gas to give me 2-3 mpg more than my Sheetz tanks. My father swears Texaco is even better than Shell, but there isn't one I pass frequently so I cannot confirm it in the Prius.

I stopped buying Mobil when they merged with Exxon. At that point I was driving my dad's 1996 Ford Ranger....and if you put Exxon in it would rattle like crazy. Any other gas, no rattle.

paprius4030 · 09-04-2006, 01:31 PM

I usually always get gas at BJ's and usually get 48-50 mpg

Rancid13 · 09-04-2006, 02:31 PM

I regularly get my gas at either Chevron or Arco or occasionally even Shell or Mobil, depending on which one I'm nearest to when I decide to get gas. I've never gotten a full tank (ie: 400 miles or more) averaging less than 47.8mpg which also happens to be my lifetime average, go figure. I'm pretty sure the gas in CA doesn't have the ethanol blend like I know a lot of the midwestern states have been getting, so we don't have that to worry about (yet?).

HTMLSpinnr · 09-04-2006, 02:54 PM

Here in AZ, I've noticed better mileage off of QT branded gas (claimed top tier) than I do off of some of the other cut-rate brands. I'm not loyal to any one brand, but more to price.

200Volts · 09-07-2006, 08:10 PM

No difference. I drive 1k per week and have tried many brands and grades with no difference noticed.

Skwyre7 · 09-08-2006, 09:30 AM

During my first year of ownership I used BP and Exxon almost exclusively. Those were the only "good" gas stations around. I didn't feel comfortable getting gas from a no-name gas station. Now that I'm in a more urban environment, I use whatever is close by. Wawa, Sheetz, Chevron. But not Citgo. I noticed about a 3-5mpg hit when I used Citgo gas for about 4 consecutive tanks.

DaveinOlyWA · 09-08-2006, 10:34 AM

i use either Arco or Costco both with 10% ethanol mix (cant buy anything around here without it) only because they are the cheapest.

safeway started this purchase $50 and get a one time fillup with 10 cents off (that usually makes their gas a few cents cheaper than Arco) my so my SO uses them.

there is no real difference in unleaded regular anyway. so if you are spending a penny more for brand name gas, you are wasting your money. the biggest thing to look at is how the station you go to is maintained. poorly maintained stations also probably have gas storage tanks that are not maintained properly either. that will cause more issues than any brand will

aaf709 · 09-08-2006, 10:55 AM

I use Arco, largely due to price and convenience (most of the stations closest to our house are Arco stations). In CA, at least, they're owned by BP.

CrazyRussian · 09-08-2006, 05:29 PM

After driving for 8K in Phoenix, I've observed the following, driving the same roads in a similar weather:

Shamrock - 57-61MPG
QT - 55-58MPG
Costco - 49-53MPG

09-04-2006, 01:05 PM	#1
Syclone Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 502 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've got about 4500 miles on my Prius (service soon). I've filled up about 11 - 12 times. Average MPG is about 43 -44. Probably 8 of those refills have been at a local BJ's. Based on what I've been hearing from the rest of the local Prius group, this is not anywhere near the mileage that they are getting. Local mileage for short trips is around 40 The last time there was a thread on gas brands and fuel mileage was in 2004. Is there any consensus about which brands offer the best mileage. I have a feeling that this may have to do with the relative amount of Ethanol mixed with the gasoline. I think that all of the local gas stations claim to be using 10 percent Ethanol. Also, does anybody know about any actual testing? __________________ BT Plate Integrated Sirius radio Shark Fin (Sirius antenna under) Signaling Mirrors Pin Stripes After market leather seats Mud Flaps Body Side Molding

09-04-2006, 01:23 PM	#2
HokieHybrid Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 196 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I previously bought primarily Shell gas b/c I had a rebate card that gave me Shell Gas. I got a new rebate card....so I get 5% of any gas...not just Shell. Soon afterwards I started complaining about a drop in my fuel economy. I have found Shell gas to give me 2-3 mpg more than my Sheetz tanks. My father swears Texaco is even better than Shell, but there isn't one I pass frequently so I cannot confirm it in the Prius. I stopped buying Mobil when they merged with Exxon. At that point I was driving my dad's 1996 Ford Ranger....and if you put Exxon in it would rattle like crazy. Any other gas, no rattle. __________________ 2006 #6 Black with Silver Pinstripes!!! Yet another Cool Chick in a Black Prius!

09-08-2006, 10:34 AM	#8
DaveinOlyWA Opps !! I Did it Again!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 10,010 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	i use either Arco or Costco both with 10% ethanol mix (cant buy anything around here without it) only because they are the cheapest. safeway started this purchase $50 and get a one time fillup with 10 cents off (that usually makes their gas a few cents cheaper than Arco) my so my SO uses them. there is no real difference in unleaded regular anyway. so if you are spending a penny more for brand name gas, you are wasting your money. the biggest thing to look at is how the station you go to is maintained. poorly maintained stations also probably have gas storage tanks that are not maintained properly either. that will cause more issues than any brand will __________________ My 2006: Last tank 341.6 miles @44.7 pump (43.3 computer) 3.81 cpm winter mpg 50.44 summer mpg 54.71 lifetime: 34,290.1 miles 52.55 mpg pump (53.78 mpg computer) 5.67 cpm My 2007 Zenn Driven 5945 miles, 2.01 cpm/ 105 mpg (at $2.05/gal), 4.04 miles/ Kwh Savings over my Prius $302.66 The Corolla...573.26 The REAL SAVINGS from not driving Corolla 693.39 +Prius= 996.05 (excludes maintenance costs...would be unfair to ICE vehicles) My Plate: DUALPWR (Dual Power)

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09-04-2006, 01:31 PM	#3
paprius4030 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pocono's, Pa. Posts: 1,079 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	I usually always get gas at BJ's and usually get 48-50 mpg

09-04-2006, 02:31 PM	#4
Rancid13 Cool Chick with a Black Prius Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Alamitos, Orange County, CA Posts: 2,455 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	I regularly get my gas at either Chevron or Arco or occasionally even Shell or Mobil, depending on which one I'm nearest to when I decide to get gas. I've never gotten a full tank (ie: 400 miles or more) averaging less than 47.8mpg which also happens to be my lifetime average, go figure. I'm pretty sure the gas in CA doesn't have the ethanol blend like I know a lot of the midwestern states have been getting, so we don't have that to worry about (yet?).

09-04-2006, 02:54 PM	#5
HTMLSpinnr Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Surprise, AZ (Phoenix) Posts: 1,343 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Pioneer #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	Here in AZ, I've noticed better mileage off of QT branded gas (claimed top tier) than I do off of some of the other cut-rate brands. I'm not loyal to any one brand, but more to price.

09-07-2006, 08:10 PM	#6
200Volts Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 346 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	No difference. I drive 1k per week and have tried many brands and grades with no difference noticed.

09-08-2006, 09:30 AM	#7
Skwyre7 What's the catch? Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 2,302 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	During my first year of ownership I used BP and Exxon almost exclusively. Those were the only "good" gas stations around. I didn't feel comfortable getting gas from a no-name gas station. Now that I'm in a more urban environment, I use whatever is close by. Wawa, Sheetz, Chevron. But not Citgo. I noticed about a 3-5mpg hit when I used Citgo gas for about 4 consecutive tanks.

09-08-2006, 10:55 AM	#9
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,838 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I use Arco, largely due to price and convenience (most of the stations closest to our house are Arco stations). In CA, at least, they're owned by BP.

09-08-2006, 05:29 PM	#10
CrazyRussian Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 42 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	After driving for 8K in Phoenix, I've observed the following, driving the same roads in a similar weather: Shamrock - 57-61MPG QT - 55-58MPG Costco - 49-53MPG