Gasoline Question

Lots of owners use "Top Tier" like Shell. I use that, but most of the time I use Arco (which is owned by BP). At 30K the dealer wanted to do an injector clean, but I said no. I haven't had any problems that I noticed.

 

I have always been biased against off-brand gas, but I don't know if there is any real basis for that. At any rate, the difference is just around a buck per fill-up...

 

I started off with casey's gas tried walmart(Murphy OIL) and got worse mpg tried shell 87 octane and average 53 mpg now. So Shell 87 for this prius, But there is no need to use premium just 87 octane is fine and recommended by Toyota

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priussoris @ May 24 2007, 04:25 PM) [snapback]449360[/snapback]</div>

I use Walmart for gas albeit, I don't have a Walmart card. I go in and buy a shopping card and other items and then use the Walmart card at their pumps. I save 3 cents per gallon and if I don't want to buy gas, I can always use it inside the store. I get an average of 50.3 MPG.

 

I use generic gas and 62,000 miles later the car's running fine. All gasolines are essentially the same, the difference being a few additives mixed in before the gas is loaded to the truck. The difference in price around here is substantial.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jamarimutt @ May 24 2007, 06:08 PM) [snapback]449397[/snapback]</div>

I am more particular on how well the station looks maintained. IMO if the store, building, and parking lot are run down chances are they aren't doing the weekly and daily storage tank tests. I used to be in charge of a grocery store at night that had a fuel station and when the station opened in the morning we had to take this long dipstick ruler and put a chemical on the end, if it turned blue it meant moisture had gotten in the tank, rarely did it happen but if it did we had to add an additive which would vaporize the water. This is just something I feel lesser stations probably dont do, a large franchise chain is also able to stand behind their products and make sure these things are done.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jamarimutt @ May 24 2007, 05:08 PM) [snapback]449397[/snapback]</div>

Not much difference in gasoline prices in the Kansas City area - the stations are all in collusion...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rae Vynn @ May 24 2007, 01:47 PM) [snapback]449331[/snapback]</div>

Let's see. If you drive 15,000 miles per year and get 45 mpg, you use 333.34 gallons per year. A ten cent difference in price per gallon is $33.34 per year.

I have no idea if the gas is really any different. There have been long threads here on PC about it. Apparently the base gas is all the same, and the different brands add their own detergents. I have read that Toyota recommends (but does not require) "top tier" gas, which is the big-name companies that have gotten together to collectively promote their gas against the discount gas. Note that the big auto companies have strong ownership and management ties to the big oil companies, giving them a financial incentive to work together.

I don't care too much any more. Escuincle doesn't use any gas.

 

I use Chevron with Techron. I've used this gas for years and have never had any problems. It is a top tier gasoline. It seems to give me the best mileage regardless of what vehicle I use it in.
On thing you might want to check on is how often they change the filters and clean their tanks. Don't fill up just after the tanker truck has filled the tanks. This can stir up any crud in the bottom of the tanks and if the filters are not as good as they should be, you may get this crud in your tank. I always try to fill up on Sundays.

 

You might instead stay away from places that sell gasoline as a sideline (liquor stores with a pump in the front, that sort of thing). They seem not to maintain their pumps very well, and if a place doesn't sell very much gasoline water has a chance to accumulate in it.

 

Gas companies must love what advertisement money can buy! The $ spend on advertisment is small compared to be able to keep your gas-pirse higher the your cheaper, local gas-company. Money well spend if you are shell/texaco/hess etc. if you ask me.

I wonder what the "top tier" gas companies payed toyota for that sponsor message?

People actually believe them and are willing to pay extra for "top tier" gas. That said I fill up where-ever I happen to be when the car tell me too. For my commute that happens to be HESS as they are the cheapest in the area.

 

I haven't put a top-tier brand in my Prius in at least the last 20 tanks. I use whatever fuel the local USAF base provides, since they have the best price. Because of the strict EPA requirements throughout the base, I'm confident I'm getting fuel that's not contaminated. When I paid the extra money for Chevron, I didn't get any better mileage.

FYI, my average is displayed below, and it's low only because of the harsh winters I've endured. Everyone's mileage goes down. Using the same gas from the base, I got exactly 50 MPG on the last tank, with average temps only in the 50s.

 

According to page 204 of the manual 'Toyota recommends the use of gasoline that contains detergent additives to avoid build up of engine deposits. However, all gasoline sold in the U. S. contains detergent additives to keep clean and/or clean intake systems.'

I am not sure how true this is but if it is true, then build up on the injector should not be an issue.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boxster...WRX...Prius? @ May 25 2007, 11:39 AM) [snapback]449970[/snapback]</div>

When I visited the USAF base in Grand Forks, North Dakota, they were burning used motor oil in an open pit. Strict EPA requirements? Not at Grand Forks USAF base!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ May 25 2007, 08:24 AM) [snapback]449862[/snapback]</div>

The way the story goes is that GM and Toyota, and a few other car companies, proposed the higher level of detergents in gasoline after studies showed that the refineries were not putting in the right amount of detergent in the gas (while the standard exists, there is no enforcement mechanism at work to ensure the detergents are actually there at the right level). I know from my brother who worked for VOA that, prior to the Top Tier standard, Chevron was the only gas they found that had any better effect in keeping valves clean (VW and Porsche did the testing). Since that time, the Top Tier standard makes Shell and the other Top Tier gasolines equal to Chevron. You can also buy fuel additive and use it once every few months and have the same effect.

I've always suspected that Toyota and GM were eager to propose the standard as a way to deflect criticism about the engine "sludge" many of their cars had.

I'm always a bit bemused by those that will wait 15 minutes for an open pump at the cheaper station when the gas is a few cents cheaper. If there's a line, I'll go to the more expensive station and pay a whole .34 more to save the time and frustration.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rae Vynn @ May 24 2007, 01:47 PM) [snapback]449331[/snapback]</div>

Have you tried asking an auto dealer a question to which you already know the answer? Getting tips like this from a car dealer is about as valuable as getting stock tips at a cocktail party.

There are dealers out there telling people that the B on the shifter is for battery. They're telling people that the warranty will be voided if you change your own oil.

My advice? Fill up at the most expensive gas station you can find. Kills all the birds with one stone, and might help raise gas prices which will help all of us eventually.

Was fun driving by all the gas stations this weekend in my EV. Man, that stuff is going to be expensive if it keeps going up like this for a few more years.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ May 25 2007, 10:08 PM) [snapback]450261[/snapback]</div>

You mean I shouldn't have bought those Venevuelan Canal shares? Oh, fooey!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ May 25 2007, 10:08 PM) [snapback]450261[/snapback]</div>

Me, too!