Basically all gas in California is bad gas. Our Cal-specific blend is required by the state and is horrible at producing power. When I negotiated the fuel contract for the vans at work, I met with reps from all the major manufacturers. To them, a fleet of about 200 vans was peanuts so they didn't bother giving us much room to manuever. But, it's true, all gas comes from the same place, especially in california. This is according to the reps from the gas companies. The only difference is the additives that the specific brand adds to their blend. They use this as a "Our additives are better than the other guys" negotiating technique. That being said, I use 76 the majority of the time and Chevron when I have too since there is a station next to the building where I work. The 76 station that I go to has had constantly good gas and they refill about once every week and a half or so. Your best bet is to find a high traffic station that constantly has fresh gas because old gas isn't the best for your engine.

 

Actually I am a power plant operator. I have worked for three different power plants that all sell process steam to refineries. It has always been my understanding all the gas is the same.

 

ok heres the deal. My dad worked for Shell and 76 for almost 15 years total. The gas all comes into the plant in the same pipe, and is stored in the same tanks. The difference is the additives that are put in at the "rack." The rack is where trucks load the gas...they choose, unbranded, shell, or chevron in the case of the SFO plant. Thats all there is to it. Costco, and other places like "Mike's Gas N Shop" are all non branded gas with no additives. Now that should settle the whole debate.

 

Will run this tank down and check out 76.

Noticed a lot more knocking with the Chevron, the Shell gas seems alot cleaner and the car is responding nicely to it.

Thanks for the input.

Back in Japan Shell was the place to stay away from. Mobil with it's F-1 Hich-Octane was usually the preferred gas to run.

 

Been using 76 on both my vehicles for ages now. Only time I use another brand is if we're on a road trip and there's no 76 in the area.

 

I wish we could get the good stuff that is sold in Europe or Japan. I'd even be happy with 92 or 93 octane sold in some states other than CA.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

I know when I lived in MD I used to drive by Sunoco 94 all the time.
About 5 cents more than 93.

cheers

Nick

 

Yea there is a 76 Station in Monterey that has 100 octane

 

You failed to mention the location.

 

hehe cuz I am not sure exactly which one, I just know that it is in Monterey..

 

I'll give you guys another bit of trivia...
Do you know how much additive is in a gallon of gas?
The minimum amount of a chemical that can be present in a substance and still be legally claimed to be there. Its something like 1 molecule per million.
Techron in the bottle is great stuff, maybe the best fuel system cleaner I have ever seen, but in that diluted a form you might as well pour a milkshake in the gas tank.

as for the dyno testing, I want to see it... I want to see the same car on the same day on the same dyno with the same ambient tempature produce different results on the dyno in repeated runs. THAT is how you conduct an experiment
Gas is Gas

 

I think I have a mission now....

I am almost willing to bet it's the one near Fisherman's Wharf. Cause it's the only one I know + it's next to a Mercedes dealer.....

Suz, check your PM from 831.

 

i used to intern at a refinery. and i confirm what the others are saying about all gas coming from the same place. i would see those gas tanker trucks of ALL companies (chevron/shell,etc) come in to grab gas. its just the additives that are different.

i myself use Shell or chevron. the 76 station near my house has employees that are racist against asians and african americans. i'll gladly lose a few hp to boycott them

 

yup...in california same base fuel.

I used to work at a gas station and the owner would yap about it all the time.

As for what's best. 76..Hands down. I worked for chevron. I have a chevron card. I still use 76 on a pretty regular basis. One of the two...that's it. Chevron or 76.

 

OK - I understand all gas comes from the same source. However, how is 76 able to sell gas with alcohol as an oxygenate rather than MTBE? Is this stuff added at the "rack"?

I use 76 because they don't use the MTBE, station's are conveniently located for me and the price is competitive. I ran Rotten Robbie 93 octane for the first year I had my car, until they stopped selling that grade of fuel with no noticable issues.

FWIW, the 76 on Almaden and Foxworthy sells 100 octane race gas for a very high price.