I used to like Chevron, but then I got a bad tank of gas once.

Now I strictly use 76, and I've had no problems.

The independent stations use gas from the big companies, sometimes without any signage, so they are hit and miss.

I'm curious to know who Costco and Safeway use for their stations...

 

Costco uses whoever they can get for cheap, I think. I've heard Shell, Chevron, etc... (never 76 though).

 

I got the lowdown on this from the History Channel (or one of it's other channels it owns...I forget...)
All the gas is the same before it gets to the local depot or the actual stations. The reason is how the pipeline system in the US works: when a gas company puts gas in one end of the pipe, it takes the same grade out the other end at the same exact time. So it can't possibly be the gas they put in. BUT once a certain company gets gas out of the pipeline, they add their own 'proprietary' blend of chemicals to it. For low and medium grade, there is very little difference between all the companie's chemicals. They put their money into figuring out better chemicals for the high grade, and keep those more secret. So for all us WRX drivers, there is a difference between the companies...but it's the same type of difference as buying different brands of Octane Booster at Kragen. So if you notice one brand works better than another, it could be in your head or it could be true, but either way why not just buy the one you think makes your car work better. Just don't be try to convince everybody else that the brand you use is the best.
PS-In MtnView right now there's a Shell that has cheaper gas than Cheveron, 76, and Valero all the time by about 2-3 cents/gallon. It's on Grant right by the NobHill, CircuitCity, RiteAid shopping center.

 

I gassed up at that same one (across from that weird deli) I think last night in the Celica and now it pings at WOT. I only get gas at 76 and Chevron in the WRX.

-Jacob

 

I was a religious buyer of 76 until I recently tried that new Shell V-Power... OMFG... The 13B gets better mileage on 91 octane than the 87 I was using at 76!!!

On the one HARD driving tank of gas I've had I got 18.54 mpg... On 87oct from 76 my best driving like a granny was 19.67mpg!!!

I'm currently testing mild driving on my tank of 91 V-power.

Just for reference sake, 91 oct from ANYONE else the best I get 16.xx mpg no matter how slowly I've driven.

 

So what...like 10mpg now?

Hummer mpg > RX8 mpg

 

if you a drive a civic no



i knock with shell but 76 is my preference and still i gte knock sometimes


-Aaron

 

Having had worked in the Oil business I can tell you a few things

1) There are only 2 fuel refineries in the Bay Area. No one truck in fuel from out of town. The gas you pump are Rotten Robbie is the same stuff you get at Union 76

2) Yes there additives in ALL fuel stations gas. But for example, the amount of techron that is in Chevron gas is the legal minimum amount of a chemical one can have in a compound and still claim it to be there. In other words just barely detectable.

Buy gas where it is cheapest - its all the same stuff

 

I have been using Costco gas for years in my WRX and my STi now.
I took the car to dyno it and Shiv was saying only 76 but my car dyno'ed exactly as any other STi(stock). So I will keep saving 10 c per gallon instead buying at brand name gas stations.

cheers

Nick