Are all unleaded gases created equal?

Question

Is the gas I purchase at the rinky-dink corner store for $2.00 the same quality gas I purchase at the Shell, Chevron, etc????

I thought unleaded gas was government regulated.

Anyone know? And I'd also like some kind of experience or source included with your answer, thanks!

Answer 1

no. the rinky-dink corner stores do not have the additives that the big name stores do. Each big name company has their own set of additives that are injected into the fuel truck as it is being pumped in. The rinky dink stores usually don't put these additives in.

These additives help keep your car lubed up.

Answer 2

In the United States, gasoline is piped through thousands of miles of pipeline. Sensors in the line detect the octane of the gasoline and relays controlled by computer open and close automatically, sending the fuel where it is needed. If a manufacturer like Shell puts 20,000 gallons of fuel into the system in Houston, they can take out 20,000 gallons the same day in Bangor, ME. as long as it is the same octane as what they put in. Now obviously, it is not usually taken out the same day and I don't want to get bogged down in details but for the most part, gasoline is gasoline.

HOWEVER, once the fuel is about to be pumped into the tankers for local delivery, the ADDITIVES, are introduced, things like Chevron's Techron and flow modifiers, anti pollution additives, etc. It is the additives that differ the gasoline from one brand to another. Also, how much ethanol is added can vary from brand to brand. There are some performance differences between brands as well as off name brands but are they worth the difference in price, that is a decision you must make on your own.

Answer 3

It's all the same fuel! The same goes for motor oil. The EPA regulates this stuff. In California gasoline is refined differently and is more environmentally friendly than standard EPA gasoline. Also, the top oil companies have begun marketing their gas as "top tier" which in reality is a mandate by the EPA requiring ALL gas to contain 10 percent Ethanol for environmental reasons.

Answer 4

the Corner no name stores sell the same gas, just does not have the additives that the big names do.Such as Exon Mobile, Hess, Chevon esc. Each company has their own set of additives that they injected into the fuel truck as it is being pumped in. A no name store usually does not put these additives in.

These additives help lubricate and clean your engine.

Answer 5

I witnessed a dyno test recently which was conducted on a car. The two petrols used were Brand X and Shell's V-Power. When it was filled with V-Power, it did register some extra hp on the dyno. I guess this proves that different petrols do contain different additives.