Are some gasoline brands better than others?

I'm not talking about octane rating, I'm literally referring to the brands.

Are some gasoline brands better than others?

I see there's a website called Top Tier Gas ( http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html ) that suggests that some brands are, in fact, better than others.

I know I've taken my lawn mower to have the carburetor worked on twice after buying a certain brand of gas in my area, so I don't buy it anymore. After my mower was worked on, they told me the carb was gunked up which was why my mower ran like shit, blah, blah, blah.

I'm like everyone else - I don't want to pay more than I need, but if some gasolines are truly better on the motor and run cleaner, it seems stupid to try and save .10 a gallon, etc.

Comments?

Ed

 

I have only used Chevron, Texaco and Shell. I worked for Exxon (Enco/Esso) when I was young and what they did way back then stopped me from ever purchasing gasoline from them again. Tho it is quality fuel.

 

Never go to small mom and pop stations. Or small big be stations.
We have a gas station called buccees. Even though they are a few cents cheaper than everyone else. Their gas doesn't last as long as chevron or other big name companies.

 

Basically you won't get the same amount of mileage out of them

 

Shell V Power , no ethanol up here

 

i stick with chevron or texaco. my wife insists on BP.
$3.03 this morning.

 

There are four gas stations side by side where I work in RockHill, sc. Marathon, shell, quicktrip, and Exxon. They always have the cheapest prices in the USA. Just filled up yesterday at marathon for $2.88 gallon.

 

http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=27&t=10

Frequently Asked Questions


How much ethanol is in gasoline and how does it affect fuel economy?

In 2013, about 135 billion gallons of motor gasoline (3.2 billion barrels) were consumed in the United States, which contained about 13 billion gallons of ethanol. Ethanol accounted for about 10% of the total volume of finished motor gasoline consumed.
Most of the gasoline now sold contains some ethanol, but the exact amount varies by region. In general, the ethanol content does not exceed 10% by volume. Gasoline with 10% ethanol content is referred to as E10 and with 15% ethanol as E15. E85 means there is 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Most of the gasoline with more than 10% ethanol is sold in the Midwest.
All gasoline vehicles can use E10. Currently only light-duty vehicles with a model year 2001 or greater can use E15. Only "flex-fuel" vehicles can use gasoline with an ethanol content greater than E15.
The energy content of ethanol is about 33% less than "pure" gasoline, although this varies depending on the amount of denaturant that is added to the ethanol. Thus, vehicle fuel economy may decrease by up to 3.3% when using E10.

Find the companies that put less ethanol in the fuel and you have your answer.

 

Ok, but my truck responds really well to Union76 gas. I used to use Chevron, but the 76 gas is tits for me...

 

I love the myths that come with these questions.

First off, ALL gasoline, regardless of where you buy it, is exactly the same. When a refinery dumps their product into the national pipelines, they pull the exact amount out at a terminal. Unless there is a gas pump attached directly to the refinery, no one knows which refinery the gasoline came from.

The second consideration is additives. This is where the gasoline you put in your tank becomes unique. Each company has their own unique blend of additives which add things like detergents and stabilizers. While each blend is unique, emissions requirements means that virtually any additive is the same as the next.

What makes people think that one brand is better than the next is marketing. We're told that "X" brand has better quality and performance over the next but this is not the case though it isn't a lie either. We've all seen pictures at a pump showing how this particular gasoline cleans an engine better. What they are showing is gasoline with their additive vs. gasoline without any additives.

The only real factor to gasoline quality is turn over and PM's (periodic maintenance). Turn over means that the gasoline isn't sitting in storage for too long. This is important because gasoline can oxidized, break down and form varnishes. This can be seen in a carburetor that is left with fuel in the bowl for long periods of time.

PM's, primarily tank maintenance, is equally important. Keeping the tanks clean and intrusion tight (water, dirt, whatever else) means that the gasoline going into your tank is as clean as the fuel that come out of the terminal. This is where the larger chains have the advantage as they have the capital for PM's as turn their product over frequent enough so that it doesn't go stale.

For me, I go to wherever I have a gas coupon or reward points.

 

I used to work with a old tech who swore by Chevron with Techron.

 

So you're saying ethanol vs no ethanol makes no difference ?

 

I have been told that the additives in the different brands are different. Shell, Chevron and other well known big brands apparently do a lot of research to produce cleaner burning gas. Shell and Chevron always shows the ads where they compare valve stems from vehicles using their gas compared to others. I know it is all marketing, but I can see that there is some truth in it.
I have also heard that the mom & pop type places with the no-name gas buy from brokers who buy whatever they get for the lowest price, so they may one day get cheap fuel and another day buy from Chevron or BP. I don't know about that - it's just hear-say.
I try to stay with Shell, Chevron or BP.

 

It is all about the additive package, as far as different brands go. Base fuel is all the same.

For performance vehicles, 2 strokes, and small engines, it is best to find a place that has Non-Ethanol fuel. The alcohol in the fuel absorbs moisture that can form a separate layer in the tank, and causes all kinds of problems, especially if it is left in a tank/motor that does not get used on a regular basis. The fuel deteriorates much quicker with the ethanol in it. They don't even add the ethanol to the fuel until it is being put in the truck to go fill a station because of this.

 

I only buy Chevron.

 

I stick with my real world observation. 76 in my truck is smoother than Chevron & Texaco. That's my finding...

 

No, ethanol does make a difference regionally. However, if you're sitting at a stop light with 4 different national brand gas stations in sight, what they dispense into your tank is virtually identical. Price and marketing are the only differences.

 

I wanna get gas where this guy lives! I paid $3.19 and that was with a $0.10 discount with a Kroger Plus Card!

 

Bingo , so I'm sticking to my answer , Shell V Power

 

I don't worry about it as much for my cars, never had much problem, but the OP mentioned lawn mowers and I definitely am now a believer in using only pure non-ethonal gas in all small engines. Especially so for the two cycle weed eaters, boats and such.

It usually the plastic fuel lines that go first, becoming brittle and disintegrating. By the time this happens the carb is gone too, so have replaced several of those lately.