Which gas brand is best for our cars?

[Youngproexec]

I know this question varies from state to state , country to country, and station to station but which gas station brand do you think presents the best quality gas for our cars? In my opinion it's Shell's V power. My car has NEVER seen anything less than "93" throughout it's lifetime, and out of Mobil, BP, and Shell responded well with better performance and mileage with shell. Im just curious to hear what other's think. And yes I am aware of the fact that there are many variables in this matter.

[bighorns]

Here on the Left Coast I prefer Chevron with Techrolene. Shell would be my second choice in a pinch.

[Youngproexec]

I dont think they have much chevron stations here on the right coast.

[LRod]

I second Chevron. I use Shell and Chevron just about the same. In my performance cars, I use 93 or better. When driving anything else, it's usually just plus or regular. I'm pretty picky about using the octane suggested by the car manufacturer, though.

[bighorns]

Originally Posted by Youngproexec

I dont think they have much chevron stations here on the right coast.

Yes, they are regional. They are based here in Cali, and have stations all up and down the West coast, including Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Nevada. The detergent they use is so good that it is sold in auto parts stores as an additive.
I did a little experiment years ago with my Civic, running a couple of tanks of cheap gas, then running top tier gasoline. The higher quality gas cost 10 more cents per gallon, but netted me 2 or 3 more MPG. This made me believe that the cheaper fuel was making my engine work harder to make the same HP, which in my mind translated to more wear and tear. Because I had gained MPG the cost was about the same!

[leadfoot]

Central Illinois: Shell's V-Power !!

[Youngproexec]

Originally Posted by LRod

In my performance cars, I use 93 or better. When driving anything else, it's usually just plus or regular. I'm pretty picky about using the octane suggested by the car manufacturer, though.

Im extremely picky with using the suggested octane rating by the manufacturer. But I never really understood why the "premuim" or highest grade gas here in NYC is 93, and in other parts of the country is 94 or even 95.

[bighorns]

In Cali we only get 91 octane, which is the minimum BMW recommends.

[jericho111]

Here in Nevada I use Chevron or Shell... 91 Octane.

[Pete Lech]

My E34 calls for 89 Midgrade but is now requiring higher octane. It liked the 93 available back east on our recent trip, but now it pings on the local 91 in the 2-2.5K rpm range in 3rd gear around town. Fortunately it goes away when cruising on the highways in high gear.

Say what you want, but we used Cosco gas locally and all over the country with good results. The pinging was no different than on Mobil, Shell, BP, etc.

10,400 miles across the US in 46 days, 24.5 mpg, used only 1/4 quart of Mobil 1 15-50 oil! 146K miles now.

[denyo77]

wow... I've never used anything below 95 as it's not available

[drz]

^^ The ratings systems are different in Germany than they are here in teh states. You guys use RON, while AKI is used here. 95 RON is about 90 or 91 AKI.