Gas Quality

[Laika]

Originally Posted by Bonburner

I'm coming from a "scientific" background - chemistry major, about to graduate in a few months with my B.S. (while it isn't an amazing degree) I fully understand what it takes to produce a good test and results.
The only thing that is absolutely conclusive is that different octanes receive different concentrations of additives.
What additives have not been described other than precipitates from boiled X volume - which probably is not done using precise and accurate volumetric means.

Maybe I'll go out and do this test myself one day.
I'd also like to see the mass spectrum of this.

Shoot me a PM if you decide to do this. I work as a quality/regulatory scientist so we can probably brainstorm together some ideas to make this a fair test. To be honest though, my particular field is pharmaceuticals if my signature never gave this away. Either way, let me know!

[fistpoint]

Originally Posted by Jared0934

When I bought my ferrari...

Lies!

Originally Posted by Jared0934

BP 87 Octane 17.2 milligrams per 100 milliliters
BP 93 Octane 26.4 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Citgo 87 Octane 6.0 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Citgo 93 Octane 9.4 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Exxon 87 Octane 20.0 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Exxon 93 Octane 21.2 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Pilot 87 Octane 5.8 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Pilot 92 Octane 8.8 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Shell 87 Octane 16.2 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Shell 93 Octane 31.0 milligrams per 100 milliliters

Thanks for posting that list. I too have often heard Shell has the best gas, but no one ever broke it down into detail like that. I personally use Exxon over Shell though because I'm fairly certain I get 1-2mpg better with Exxon vs Shell from my own tests doing the math on every tank(calculator, not the overly generous and inaccurate ones built into most vehicles).

I say "fairly certain" because no matter how hard I try by driving the same distances in the same area in the same manner with and without A/C, there are many variables that could have altered my results by that small 1-2mpg difference. However, this difference seems to occur every time I try Shell. Hmm.

Originally Posted by Black Tire

On a side note, oil companies keep the price of gas high partly by limiting the number of refineries that are operating

No sir, you can thank Congress and the EPA for that ball of wisdom.

[Bonburner]

Originally Posted by Laika

Shoot me a PM if you decide to do this. I work as a quality/regulatory scientist so we can probably brainstorm together some ideas to make this a fair test. To be honest though, my particular field is pharmaceuticals if my signature never gave this away. Either way, let me know!

I personally want to go into pharmaceuticals but my roots will always be chemistry.
I've loved it forever haha.

I'll need to get some small jugs to fill gas with and then pester the Mass Spectrum dep't heads to run their machines with gasoline - it really isn't cheap but my curiosity will win one day ...

Regardless this sounds like a great off time project one day!

[Draco-REX]

The problem I see with the test is that part of the residue will be non-productive impurities and part of the vapor could be volatile additives.

[smbrm]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

The problem I see with the test is that part of the residue will be non-productive impurities and part of the vapor could be volatile additives.

Correct. It is never as simple as folks perceive.

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by Jared0934

When I got my range rover they said only premium, chevron if you can. (Chevron has techron, google it if you want to know more)....

When I bought my ferrari, they said ONLY Premium SHELL... V-Power...

Ok, so I don't have a ferrari... but I've heard that that's honestly what ferrari dealers will tell you.

This diagramishthing below is a test scientiest did by taking 1 galon of each both 91 and 92/93 from the top 8 brand name gasoline stations. They did the same test conducted annually on gasoline stations by boiling the gasoline, and seeing how much residue is left behind. The residue being the detergent added to the fuel which results in a cleaner, healthier engine and more MPG. The test was done in 2011 and Shell premium came out on top by a good amount. Explains why ferrari dealerships say shell only. For those confused on who the fck BP is, they are ARCO....

BP 87 Octane 17.2 milligrams per 100 milliliters
BP 93 Octane 26.4 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Citgo 87 Octane 6.0 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Citgo 93 Octane 9.4 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Exxon 87 Octane 20.0 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Exxon 93 Octane 21.2 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Pilot 87 Octane 5.8 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Pilot 92 Octane 8.8 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Shell 87 Octane 16.2 milligrams per 100 milliliters
Shell 93 Octane 31.0 milligrams per 100 milliliters

Read more: http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/new...#ixzz1zcPzLiVD

edit: as for the ferrari mention, I found out dealers only tell you that because Shell is partnered with Ferrari/Ducati racing. But even still, I've been reading countless websites about gasoline and there is constant mention to Shell being the cleanest.

Yeah, I swear by Shell V-Power. There are other highly tuned cars like the Evo FQ-400 that require V-Power too. And I saw another test where a Subaru STI gained several HP just by using V-Power over other premium fuels because the ECU was designed to take advantage of better fuels and so it could use more boost. So not only is it the best, but Shell stations are available almost everywhere in the world.

[Stu baru]

Ditto here for Shell and BP , have heard this from many Subaru technicians over the years. We've been running strictly Shell high-test for years and have had no issues.

FWIW, I'm a big believer in Seafoam as well. I put a some in with each fill-up, and treat the oil with it 30-50 miles before a change. I have the intake cleaned with it every 15K. Ounce of prevention kinda thing.

[chulooz]

Originally Posted by Stu baru

FWIW, I'm a big believer in Seafoam as well. I put a some in with each fill-up, and treat the oil with it 30-50 miles before a change. I have the intake cleaned with it every 15K. Ounce of prevention kinda thing.

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by Stu baru

FWIW, I'm a big believer in Seafoam as well. I put a some in with each fill-up, and treat the oil with it 30-50 miles before a change. I have the intake cleaned with it every 15K. Ounce of prevention kinda thing.

Harcore, Stu Baru is harcore.

[Brimford]

Would it be fine to go ahead and start adding seafoam in my tank? I didn't know if it would be bad with the engine being so new? I would always put some seafoam in my gas after an oil change (will start adding it to my oil) on my TC but it had 83k. That stuff is awesome!

[ahausheer]

The test is pointless. Yes gas quality does vary but that test doesn't prove anything from a scientific point of view. Although I generally agree with the rankings on a personal level. Also note that Mobile is not ''Top Tier''. Mobil meets all of the requirements of Top Tier but doesn't want to pay for the distinction. The companies must pay for the tests themselves. Top Tier is not funded entirely by third parties which makes it slightly dubious. I like Shell, Chevron, and Mobil. my 2c, based purely on anecdotal data.

[ahausheer]

Originally Posted by Brimford

Would it be fine to go ahead and start adding seafoam in my tank? I didn't know if it would be bad with the engine being so new? I would always put some seafoam in my gas after an oil change (will start adding it to my oil) on my TC but it had 83k. That stuff is awesome!

You don't need seafoam. That stuff is for engines that have been abused and not maintained at all. I have first hand experience with that stuff and the one time I used it it made my wifes 86 corolla burn oil. The carbon inside the cylinders were actually helping reduce oil consumption and the seafoam f-ed up the mechanical/chemical balance that engine was in. A properly maintained car can last hundreds of thousands of miles WITHOUT seafoam. Just take care of her and you wont need seafoam. But if you must, add it prior to an oil change not after, otherwise your oil properties might be off.

[Mr. Mcoupe]

Originally Posted by ahausheer

You don't need seafoam. That stuff is for engines that have been abused and not maintained at all. I have first hand experience with that stuff and the one time I used it it made my wifes 86 corolla burn oil. The carbon inside the cylinders were actually helping reduce oil consumption and the seafoam f-ed up the mechanical/chemical balance that engine was in. A properly maintained car can last hundreds of thousands of miles WITHOUT seafoam. Just take care of her and you wont need seafoam. But if you must, add it prior to an oil change not after, otherwise your oil properties might be off.

Did you add the Seafoam to the oil or to the gas tank?

[slizoth]

Anyone know if Ethanol free gas is better or worse for the BRZ engine?