More MPG with Shell???

[John in LB]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bulldog @ Jan 24 2007, 09:55 PM) [snapback]380489[/snapback]</div>

I think the difference will really depend on a region by region basis, pending the plant where it gets blended. So far it looks like my 3rd tank on Shell here in the SF Bay Area will give me at least 2 MPG more than Chevron.

This might very well change again in the summer. However it seems I'm not the only one who notiiced this by the responses on this thread.
[/b]

It's not that crappy gas from Shell - its the fresh air in Morgan Hill !!!

It has more oxygen and less nitrogen... Making your tires more bouncy!

The real secret... little Shell elfs come at night and add a 1/2 gal of gas into your prius... they would put in more but the bladder stops them from doing it...

Me: I get great mileage just because our air here in Los Angeles is so hydrocarbon rich that we are literally getting gas for free from the air... (you guys up there call it smog... )

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John in LB @ Jan 25 2007, 01:19 AM) [snapback]380523[/snapback]</div>

Me: I get great mileage just because our air here in Los Angeles is so hydrocarbon rich that we are literally getting gas for free from the air... (you guys up there call it smog... )
[/b]

Now if we could just do that. Pump in smog, extract unburned hydrocarbons and process them cheaply enough into usable fuel of some kind and sell it to the rest of the northern coast. Just think! All the fuel needs for the West coast north of California satisfied by L.A.'s smog.

Apply for a patent.

Lol.

Dave M.

[bulldog]

Since it is gettign warmer the gas mileage is going up. I changed to Mobil1 at the last oil change and my last 2 taks were 49.8MPG and 54.8MPG. Anyway I will do one or 2 more tanks with Shell and switch back to chevron fo 5 or so tanks and see how it pans out.

I think the formulation has changed already for the warmer weather, so I will see what happens. I'm still not sure why gas companies would change fuel for the mild winters here in teh SF bay area and SOcal.

[adam1991]

I discovered a year or two ago that using Shell gas gave me a cheaper per-mile cost for fuel on my 94 Lexus. The mpg increase was reliably 2-3.

[hycamguy07]

I switched to SUNOCO HiTest.. I was going 580 on 11 gallons...

Down here in Fla Shell is comp priced with mobil...

I guess I could start giving my money to chaves at citco.

[jpwong]

This is very interesting. I am on my third purchased tank of gas (since buying the car). The first two times, I filled up with Chevron and averaged 56 mpg. This last tank, I filled up with Shell and have noticed an increase of 2 mpg. I thought at first that this may be due to the vehicle being past the "break in" period. Now that I am seeing this thread, there may be some brand factor to it. I will have to see with the next couple of tankfuls.

[Highly ImPriused]

Anyone know much about BJ's gas? We have a membership and its on my commute, so I have been using thier gas regularly for several years now in my Jetta (and I usually save 5 to 10 cents/gallon over other brands). I'm trading the Jetta in for a new Prius next week and am wondering if there's any reason not to continue using BJ's gas. One of the reason's I ask is that I once had a mechanic tell me that BJ's gas was no good. I never heard anyone else say anything about it though and never experienced any problems. I'd appreciate any input. Shell is not available here in western NY.

[NoMoShocks]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bulldog @ Mar 19 2007, 11:59 PM) [snapback]408813[/snapback]</div>

I'm still not sure why gas companies would change fuel for the mild winters here in teh SF bay area and SOcal.
[/b]

Because it is the law in [arnold mode on] Cal Lee Foreign Ya! [arnold mode off] and a bunch of other states too.

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Highly ImPriused @ Mar 20 2007, 02:44 PM) [snapback]409123[/snapback]</div>

Anyone know much about BJ's gas? We have a membership and its on my commute, so I have been using thier gas regularly for several years now in my Jetta (and I usually save 5 to 10 cents/gallon over other brands). I'm trading the Jetta in for a new Prius next week and am wondering if there's any reason not to continue using BJ's gas. One of the reason's I ask is that I once had a mechanic tell me that BJ's gas was no good. I never heard anyone else say anything about it though and never experienced any problems. I'd appreciate any input. Shell is not available here in western NY.
[/b]

I'm not a petroleum engineer but for a product to be labelled "87 octane gasoline" it has to meet certain standards. BJ's shops around and buys the cheapest gas it can find from any refinery. I don't think the gas is bad. Based on the higher prices in your area, how many more mpg would the name brand gas have to produce for you to break even compared to your mpg on BJ's?

Check out sponsored credit cards for the brands in your area. They may offer a rebate on their products.

[John in LB]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Mar 20 2007, 05:37 PM) [snapback]409302[/snapback]</div>

I'm not a petroleum engineer but for a product to be labelled "87 octane gasoline" it has to meet certain standards. BJ's shops around and buys the cheapest gas it can find from any refinery. I don't think the gas is bad. Based on the higher prices in your area, how many more mpg would the name brand gas have to produce for you to break even compared to your mpg on BJ's?

Check out sponsored credit cards for the brands in your area. They may offer a rebate on their products.
[/b]

It's not the gasoline itself that's at issue - they are all exactly the same. The issue is the additive package that each company adds to the gasoline.

BJ's adds the minimum required detergent package required (a generic version). Companies like Chevron put a lot of effort and engineering to make exclusive additives that are significantly more effective than the generic version or their competitors.

In Chevron's case, their additive package is called Techron and it is one of the best, if not the best, at keeping injectors, valves and cylinders clean for optimal combustion and performance.

A dirty system will increase emissions and ultimately reduce mileage (over 1000s' of miles). In a bad case, you will have to replace parts, like the injectors - costing you far in excess the money you save on the gas.