Chevron gas

[nyst8ofmind]

I started using Chevron gas about 3 fill ups ago in both of my cars, I don't know if its psychological or if the Techron really makes a difference but the cars seem to be running much better on it. Especially in my monte carlo, it feels like it accelerates much harder and I'm definitely getting more mpg out of it. It could all be in my head..... but anyone else use strictly Chevron have any positive comments?

[scottydl]

The only way you'd know for sure (and even this is tricky) is to use that fuel only for a couple months and monitor the mpg. Then switch to another fuel exclusively for the same time period and see what the results are there. Even that would be tricky here in cold climates, where we have a "winter blend" of fuel that is much less efficient. Mpg's always go up in the summer here.

Like you said, early on the process it's more likely that you are experiencing the "placebo effect" or unknowingly creating the results yourself by driving differently. That's why I suggest using a certain fuel for several months. The car doesn't even know there's different gas in there for 1-2 tanks until the fuel sensors adjust to it.

[g26]

Scotty,
I think the car will know which fuel it is running right away. There is no "placebo effect" when I run Shell or Sunoco versus Speedway or Kroger gas. Nine times out of ten I get better fuel milage with Shell or Sunoco. You are correct about the winter blend having an impact and that would be hard. We do not have Chevron fuel here, but the Chevron techron fuel additive has helped my sending unit somehow. I would tend to believe nyst8ofmind that he truly is getting better results starting from the 1st tank of gas.

G26

[blackcherry95]

uhh I know I'm new here still but what are "fuel sensors"?

Depending on the quality of fuel previously used in nyst8ofmind's cars there might very well indeed notice a difference almost immediately. Even using the same brand from one tank to another there are sometimes variances. How long has the fuel been processed, how clean are the tanks at the station, how clean are the transport tankers, etc..

Knock sensors, oxygen sensors, and even temperature sensors will fill the computer in on what is going on in the combustion chamber and the computer will attempt to find the best possible timing, injection pulse, and so on. These sensors constantly send updated signals to the computer when the car is up to temp and it is out of --closed or open loop can't remember which one is which right now--.

Yes there can be placebo effect, but 3 tanks would make me think otherwise. Chevron is a very good quality gasoline in my experiences with it previously--none close to where I live and fillup now though unfortunately--

[Superdemon]

I have never seen a real difference from one type of gas to another. Barring octane rating of course.

[scottydl]

I was referring to knock sensors, and the overadjustment (if that's a word) and delay that can occur when changing fuel octane. It takes time for the system to "learn" what fuel is in there and make the engine run most efficiently on that. Perhaps there is no similar delay when you are referring to quality or cleanliness of fuel, since that is the issue here.

I do stand by my statement that the only way to know for sure is by running each fuel independently for several months. Then any placebo effect or inadvertent manipulation of the results would be inconsequential, compared to the big picture of mpg results over that period of time. Also if you want to truly calculate mpg, do it the old fashioned way on paper. The DIC does not always give the most accurate measurements of fuel statistics.

[blackcherry95]

I understand what you are saying scottydl and you are right about running the fuels for a period of time. But I keep very accurate mileage for every vehicle and there is definitely a difference. I use gallons divided into miles not the DIC either. The DIC today was reading 19.8 but when calculated it was actually 21. I understand this is an opinion thread and it is only my opinion, but after having driven a wide range of vehicles and LOTS of miles both foreign and domestic--lol a little presidential humor--I do recommend strongly to use higer quality fuels offered by Shell, Chevron, Texaco, Sunoco, and Exxon--maybe BP in a pinch. just my opinion.

[Aurora40]

FWIW, with a few (very few) tests of knock in my ZR-1, it seemed to me that Chevron generally had less knock retard on initial runs than other fuels. It was hardly scientific though in that I made only a couple monitorings, and also in that the knock in that car is somewhat dependent on how you drove it before. It builds carbon up easily and has a decent amount of oil consumption through the PCV system. So a few hammers of the gas and the knock retard will clear up.

[bravadaurora]

I always use Chevron if I can, the nearest station is about 8 miles away and any time I am there I make sure to fill up. I use supreme too & can notice a huge difference in the shifting and power compared to gas at MurphyUSA/Walmart station. You can buy Techron in a bottle at WalMart and most auto stores too.

[isaksdaddy]

I only use Chevron or texaco, maverick and flyin J have both caused my check engine light to come on. I used the maverick gas for a bout 4 tanks, the check engine light popped on half way thrugh first tank. I thought it was a fluke, but when i changed back to chevron, the light went off about a quarter tank in, stayed with chevron ever since, about 3 months later i still have no check light.

[aldrichd]

Always try to use what is called "Top Tier" gasoline.
Here is the link. www.toptiergas.com/

Here is a list of companies with it:

TOP TIER Gasoline Retailers:

QuikTrip
Chevron
Texaco
MFA Oil Co.
Conoco
Phillips 66
76
Entec Stations
Shell
The Somerset Refinery, Inc.
Kwik Trip / Kwik Star
Aloha Petroleum
Tri-Par Oil Co.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets
Mileage Stations
Road Ranger
CountryMark
Chevron Canada
Shell Canada
Petro-Canada
Sunoco Canada

[Oldsnut]

And how much of that fuel comes out of the same refineries? I fill up 3 times a week at various stations in Chicago and none seems better to me except the occasional station with to much water in their tanks and it runs like crap for the tank.

[Deleted]

It's all about what they put into the mix.

Currently, many gasoline retailers provide fuels with lower-quality additive packages

I am a shell v-power fan, or when available (not often) Chevron 94

[killroypete]

Here, One refinery does the fuel for 3 major brands... Esso, Petro-Can, Shell. There may be a difference in additives, but it's the same fuel, from the same tanker, the same cracking tower, to the same delivery pipe.
So, where does your fuel's coming from?

[Aurora40]

The difference between 87 and 93 is additives. The difference between a "Top Tier" gas and one that isn't is additives. To say they all come from the same refinery or the same crude is missing the point.

[lanceslambos]

it seems a challenge anymore to find a fuel pump at any station around here that offers better than 91 octane. 92 -94 would be great if i could find it. the world news thursday night said gas was gonna jump up over 3 dollars a gallon again. of course that's just for regular. oh the good old days when the octane rating was also the unit price per gallon.

[dens95olds]

I always use Chevron, and i do get that placebo feeling. Feels good! My DIC must like it also, cuz i try to keep track of my mpg.

@lance, I don't remember gas getting below $3 for any length of time, since the first hike over $3. It may have dropped to $2.99 for a couple of days. But i can't even remember that. You guys are lucky, i'd take better gas prices over cali weather anyday, until the rainy days are gone. :-)

[white2002aurora]

Gas price have been hovering around $2.65 here and I seem to get great gas milage out of Speedway gas. the crud UDF uses which I think is Chevron is water..runs right through the car like Imodium AD! As for Cali having higher prices, that true but the wages are higher there as well from the Californians I've talked to. He said you could work at McD's and get like $11 per hour.