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Best brand of gasoline?

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Fuel Economy & Prime EV Range' started by garen2001, Jan 22, 2024.

  1. ken2023

    ken2023 Junior Member

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    The other methods of oxygenation (MTBE) produce more pollution. Ethanol is cleaner.
     
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  2. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Top Tier doesn't refer to the gasoline fraction itself, but the additive package that gets added when the delivery tanker truck is being filled. The level of detergents the EPA requires is a minimum. Top Tier is a higher or more effective level that was established by a consortium of auto manufacturers.

    There are other oxygenates. MTBE was used because it was a by-product, and thus essentially free to the refinery. It hasn't been in gasoline since 2004, so any ethanol free gas sold for road is using something else.

    I'm not even sure a modern car engine needs oxygenates. Much of the EPA formulation is to address emissions from older cars, maybe even power equipment and off road uses.
     
  3. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    Any major brand (possibly even Arco) should be good. No one knows which major brand is better or best. I am loyal to Chevron. However, I would be worried about cheap brands. There is definitely bad gas out there that could harm your fuel system and/or engine.

    There is absolutely no need for any higher than the recommended 87 octane in a Toyota (unless otherwise recommended). You will not notice any difference in any ways with a higher octane.
     
  4. Mr.Vanvandenburg

    Mr.Vanvandenburg Senior Member

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    I have been using Costco. The lines aren’t long where I go. Top tier now, and I want alcohol to absorb water. I trust Costco as a retailer, and the volume sold means likely fresher gas.
    Having to drain an entire tank of gas once due to water back in the day, lesson learned, and happy it’s all got alcohol in it now where I live. No problems ever since the gas got alcohol, 10% I think.
     
  5. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    Here is the list of the TOP TIER™ stations. Always go to a TOP TIER™ station.

    Fuel Stations—TOP TIER™

    In the US, they are:
    • 76
    • Aloha
    • ARCO
    • Beacon
    • Belmont Car Wash
    • Cenex
    • Chevron
    • CITGO
    • Conoco
    • Costco Wholesale
    • CountryMark
    • Dash In
    • Diamond Shamrock
    • Express Mart - Wisconsin
    • Exxon
    • Fast Fuel
    • Gold Medal Gasoline
    • Harmons Fuel Stop
    • Hele
    • HFN - Hawaii Fueling Network
    • J&E Wendy
    • Kirkland Signature Gasoline
    • Marathon
    • Mega Saver
    • Meijer
    • Meijer Express
    • Mobil
    • Ohana Fuels
    • Phillips 66
    • QT
    • QuikTrip
    • Ranger
    • Ranger Fuel
    • Ranger Mustang
    • Ranger Stallion
    • Ranger Thoroughbred
    • Reeders
    • Road Ranger
    • Rutter's
    • Shamrock
    • Shell
    • Shell Nitrogen Enriched
    • Shell V-Power
    • Shell V-Power NiTRO+
    • Simonson Station Stores
    • Sinclair
    • Sunoco
    • Texaco
    • True Turbo
    • Tulalip Market
    • Valero
    • Value America
    • Waterway Fuels
    • Win Win
    • WOW
     
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  6. DOHCtor

    DOHCtor Member

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    Last time i checked, 10% ethanol was mandatory in all fuel grades here in Canada since like 2022.. That would explain why i wasn't able to find ethanol free premium fuel nearby. Shame, the Civic used to love that ethanol free Shell V-Power..

    What are the Clean Fuel Regulations? - Canada.ca

    Thanks for nothing Justin you bastard...
     
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Chevron 94 is ethanol free, at least on the west coast. FWIW, I’ve tried it, didn’t notice a difference. Maybe the straight gas advantage offset by the higher (harder to ignite) octane??
     
  8. novak068

    novak068 New Member

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    the difference between gasoline with ethanol and without it may be insignificant. I also dont notice a significant difference in performance, fuel economy.
     
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  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Higher octanes tend to have less energy, though I don't think enough to match E10's level. Seasonal blends also vary in energy content. By around the same amount as E10 and E0. A winter E0 will be the same as a summer E10.
     
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  10. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    We have a new gas station that recently opened near me...Quick Trip. I was happy to see the "Top Tier" fuel sticker on their pumps and, this week, also learned that they do NOT add the ethanol into their gasoline...win/win for sure!
     
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  11. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    Yes, they are in the list I posted above.
     
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  12. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Active Member

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    When tetraethyl lead (TEL) was banned, a valve protectant and anti-knock additive, it was replaced with MTBE, which turned out to be worse in many ways. Ethanol was added as a safer substitute, but I believe technology has made it less relevant. The knocking problem has been somewhat mitigated by sensor monitoring and computer-controlled timing.

    The steel valves that TEL was added to protect, have been supplanted by stellite and other materials, not as prone to heat erosion as before. The knocking problem began to appear as engines were designed for higher compression, higher RPM and higher internal temperatures. TEL remained as the additive of choice, because of its low cost and effectiveness, until it was banned in most places.
     
  13. CKLE

    CKLE New Member

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    I have been using Costco since my first fill up (currently at 5k miles, 24LE) and averaging 56-57 mpg. I recently put in a tank of Marathon and my mileage went up 2 mpg. Same route, same weather-pouring rain actually-and today, on the second tank of Marathon I averaged 60 on the work commute (74 mph 50 miles freeway over flat terrain). Could be an outlier but I'm going to stick with Marathon for a few more thanks to see if it holds. I'll post an update on a few weeks.
     
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  14. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Active Member

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    I can't say for sure, but I think I read somewhere that all gasolines must measure up to the same standards.
     
  15. bionicbadger

    bionicbadger New Member

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    You can google for ethanol free gas, or go to the pure-gas org website and find stations near you that have ethanol free. Though it doesn't show any in Quebec
     
  16. Preebee

    Preebee Senior Member

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    Get the cheapest gas you can find from a station that has good traffic. And don't fill up when a tanker is delivering gas.

    Also, don't top off your tank. Stop at the first click. And refuel at the slowest rate possible (first notch on handle).
     
  17. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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    I'm searching for "The Best Electricity".
     
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  18. HacksawMark

    HacksawMark Active Member

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    Best gas is Top Tier. Probably a little more in cost but worth it for piece of mind IMO.
     
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  19. kerbear54

    kerbear54 Junior Member

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    I am so jealous! We just have e10 at nearly all stations. Can't remember filling up without it.
     
  20. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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    They all taste the same. (y)

    Why does there always have to be a 'Best of ...'?
    It's hard to measure the difference with No Alcohol. The cost difference doesn't work out.