Does it really matter what brand of gas you use?

[TravelGal]

Do we need Tina Turbo or does USA (at 50 cents a gallon cheaper) do just as well? TravelGuy only used Chevron but I've always wondered so I thought I'd ask the brain trust on OC.

[datachicane]

Unless you're looking for ethanol-free, most fuel is pretty much the same, but... some gas stations (usually older, usually off-brand or, umm, Arco) are problematic, with a higher likelihood of contaminated fuel because of condition or maintenance issues with their tanks. If you're local, you probably already have a good idea which ones to avoid, and if you're traveling I'd stick with major brands (except Arco :tony: ). Oh, yeah, and never, ever buy gas while they're refilling the tanks, all kinds of sediment and crap can get stirred up that you don't want to take home with you.

[nrc]

That's always been my attitude. Storage and maintenance of the facilities to keep water and debris out of the fuel are the important thing so just eyeballing the place to make sure it's clean and well maintained is most of it. I tend to avoid the small convenience stores with a few pumps selling second tier brands and that was about it.

I wondered if there was any information out there about the big chains and what their standards are for fuel storage and maintenance to ensure product quality. I didn't find anything on that but I did find this whole concept of "Top Tier(TM)" fuel.

https://toptiergas.com/

Top Tier is a standard for detergent additives that exceed EPA requirements. Does it matter? Well, they've got plenty of valve deposit porn on their site but obviously they have licensing to sell. I found this AAA report which seems to confirm but I haven't read through it yet.

https://www.aaa.com/AAA/common/AAR/files/Fuel-Quality-Full-Report.pdf

I'm hoping they'll have answers in there about just how consistently you have to use non-TT fuel to generate that kind of gunk and how long it takes to risk some kind of impact.

I figured that I was pretty safe because I usually use Shell or Speedway and they're pretty big. But it turns out that Speedway is not a TT outlet. Speedway is owned by Marathon who is a TT provider. But Speedway’s gasoline is a different formulation than what is supplied to Marathon and ARCO gas stations and they reserve the right to use other suppliers if necessary.

Again, still forming an opinion on how much this matters but I'll probably try to mix more Shell in from now on.

[nissan gtp]

For the (both now sold) Boxster and GTI, I used Exxon or Shell (all Top Tier mainly I think because of good detergent additives); give up on Sheetz since they are not listed. I use whatever in the Tacoma, which at 11 years seems just fine.

Now I'm using electricity in the Tesla.

[TravelGal]

Reading about the "Top Tier" brands, I see Arco and others dismissed here are licensed by Top Tier. In fact, just about everyone is. Hmmm.
https://toptiergas.com/licensed-brands/

[pfc_m_drake]

When I was a kid living in Western New York my parents used to get gas for their vehicles at the local Indian Reservation. It was definitely 'Top Tier' in that it was cheap since they weren't paying NY State Tax on the purchase. :rofl:

All seriousness aside, the other problem you're going to have with this discussion is that Arco (for example) doesn't exist as an oil company anymore - it's simply a branding name. Arco was purchased along with Amaco by BP right around 2001 (if I recall correctly...and again, just one example). So I think in many cases you may find that it's difficult to determine where your gas is coming from.

YMMV - no pun intended :rofl:

[G.]

Use any brand, just make sure it's "fresh".

If you found a hidden gem of a station, that's super-cheap, and that no one knows about or goes to, don't use that gas. (It's probably a front for a drug operation anyhow.) Only shop there for your meth. ;)


If you do not drive much, and a full tank can last you 2 months or so, consider adding a fuel stabilizer to your tank before filling it up. I would use Sta-Bil red. I use it in my 2.5 gallon mower/snowblower fuel can, since I only fill that about every 2-3 months.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxyoNfW30kE


I have another gascan with about 4 gallons of "spoiled" gas. I have used Sta-Bil in it years ago, but it was just sitting in a car that I didn't get around to fixing for years. I siphoned it out when I fixed the car during COVID. It's pretty bad and smells like varnish. I add it to my lawnmower gastank and mix it with my fresh stuff every so often (1/3 old, 2/3 new). It runs well in the mower, but I would never use it in a car.

I'll probably regret it someday, but a valve-job on a mower is a bit easier than on a car. :D