Is gasoline brand consistency still a thing?

Another thread made me think to ask this here. I have done some internet searching and cannot find an answer.

Way back when the standard advice was to consistently use the same brand of gas as this was thought to be better for your engine.

Is this still good advice with current engine technology and gasoline manufacturing standards?

 

I think as long as you follow the Owners Manual and use Top Tier Fuel you should be fine.

 

Yes and no. If you decide for whatever reason to change gas brands, start slow. Introduce just a *little* at first, maybe 1/8 of a tank about an hour before filling with the usual. Usually your truck will be confused at first, sniffing around the gas, but if it takes a liking to the new gas, introduce more and more as time goes on. Do not just fill up a full tank. Often times when owners do that the truck experiences an upset stomach, diarrhea, maybe vomiting. Observe your truck carefully over the next few weeks looking for signs of fuel system distress, like the "carpet scoot" or lack of bowel movements. Try to be sensible, this truck is now a part of your family, your companion until it dies.

 

I live near Albany Ny and was told there were only about 3 different gas suppliers in this area. Lots of different gas stations but only 3 suppliers

 

My truck can get the Hershey Squirts?

 

Find out in your area, where the pipelines have their outlets. We have 2 in Central Mo --3 if you count the one about 70 miles south. I am betting if it is like around here in central Mo there are only 2 or 3 places where the tanker semis fill up to deliver to deliver to all of your your local stations. If you sit near these places --you will see many different brand names fill up, also there are the independent/contract haulers that transport and deliver for many of the big names. In other words it --ALL COMES FROM THE SAME PIPEs. Some will say that their brand adds special additives --but I am guessing that is BS. I have never in my 69 years of life and thousands and thousands of miles of travel time, (these big trucks can't "hide" easily) noticed any tanker driver adding anything to his load! Maybe they do this in a "undisclosed place" --but I doubt it.
To summarize I think all of the gas is the same-- within the given octane rating. I will continue to believe this till somebody proves me wrong!l

 

i tend to always go to the same station. but as long as its a reputable brand and not some random shady station i doubt there's a difference when it comes to Regular 87 octane.

When it comes to premium though I'd say Shell is best.
Their premium 91 octane has no ethanol where every other company has some ethanol in it.

 

YES, there is a difference in gas brands, please visit www.toptiergas.com to view gasoline brands which must meet the high standards of TOP TIER Detergent gasoline. The additive "packet" is added to the fuel AFTER the tanker has been filled. Top Tier fuels are needed for TDI engines, non-Top Tier fuel will create additional carbon build up.

In regards to ethanol free gasoline, IF you prefer to utilize ethanaol free, you can find gas stations in your area at www.pure-gas.org ...

But, do utilize ethanol free fuel for your small engines (2-cycle and 4-cycle), small engines do not work well with ethanol and Sea Foam, Stabil, StarTron, etc. will only help a little ...

 

Costco adds their additives at their gas stations according to info I got from the web.

 

Ya'll know that all a fuel needs to be considered "TOP TIER™" is just pay Top Tier's licensing fee and have certain additives/detergents in their gas right?

 

Chevron has a Techron filter type deal right next to their pump as it goes into the fuel hose and up into your tank.

 

I've never owned a vehicle that was as finicky about fuel as this Tacoma. But for me personally, my testing has led me to trust BP mid grade the best. My truck does not like the Shell additives and BP consistently feels smoother throughout. My $.02.

I love e-free, but it's so damn hard to track down when traveling and it takes this truck too long to adjust to new fuel.

 

I hate this whole gas thing, I never know what the difference is but I've always assumed shell and chevron as top notch fuel stations. I will admit, my old man gets pretty irritated because I pump some cheap-o brand fuel. From sports cars, to v8 trucks, and little cheap civics, the only difference I ever noticed was in my wallet. Same goes for sticking to the same name brand, never do, and never seen a problem.

 

In 28K miles, I've NEVER noticed any difference in gas for performance or mileage. I just get gas when I need it.

G.

 

So how gasoline transportation works is there is a huge pipeline going from place A to place B, at each location is a pump. Shell/BP/QT/ect have locations in the very near vicinity to these pump stations, with giant pipes connecting from the pumping station to the various companies storage tanks, it is at these giant storage tanks that the additives are mixed in, then the 18 wheelers are filled up and drive off to refill the gas stations we go to.
I use to live in atlanta and I know where the BP station was.
If you want to see one they are usually right near both the railroad and a large highway.

This picture is admittedly from aviation fuel but you get the point, just imagine even bigger storage tanks.

To be clear I agree with @markmizzou about the gas being mostly the same but this is how the additives are added.

 

While refined crude oil may only come from a hand full of places....it's what's done with that fuel afterwards that can vary. There's a minimum government regulated requirement on detergents. But Top Tier fuels usually exceed that minimum.

Saying all gas is the same is like saying all chocolate cake should taste the same because they all share some basic ingredients

 

Now imagine Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines add their "special ingredient" and a company called "Top Cake" comes along and says, "Betty, Duncan, if you pay us a yearly fee and keep adding that special ingredient, we'll let you put our logo on your cake boxes saying it's "Top Tier Cake".

That's Top Tier Gas.

 

What is bottom tier fuel?

 

Maybe so. But they still have those special ingredients in them....when others may not