Just curious if anyone feels there is a difference between the brands ?

I am using Mobil 93 octane.

Is Shell or any others better ?

 

Top Tier gasoline is a marketing device. There are other brands of gasoline that have the same amount of detergent as top tier gas, but won't pay the top tier people for permission to display the top tier logo.

For many years Costo didn't pay for the top tier logo, now they do and have Top Tier displayed on their pumps. The gasoline and its additives haven't changed.

I worked on tankers sailing up and down the west coast carrying gasoline, among other petroleum products, we would load at one companies refinery and discharge at another company's tank farm. Gasoline is a commodity, it is all the same. There are different additive packages for regions and companies.

Just be sure you buy gas at a gas station that has a lot of traffic and is refilled frequently. Also, use premium grade gasoline in your MINI.

 

I've heard that before, and I'm a little skeptical. Back in the 1970's, I worked at a cut-rate gas station in Sacramento (Beacon) and we got our fuel from Phillips 66 trucks.


OTOH, I did some fuel economy comparisons in the 1990's on my commuter between ARCO and Safeway. My car got 2 MPG less on ARCO fuel.


We have a fuel refinery nearby that has been owned by several major oil companies over the years. One of my neighbors worked there for decades until he retired. He told me they filled trucks for everyone, but the additive packages that were added when the fuel was dispensed was different, depending on who was getting the stuff.


As for the frequently refilled part, I agree, but throw a little caution to that. When an airport fuel station gets a storage tank filled, the FAA requires that fuel to sit in the tank for 24 hours to allow sediments and water to settle. (I also worked at an airport fuel station while going to college.) Because of this, and an incident where I had all 5 fuel injectors mysteriously clog with what appeared to be rust just after I filled up from a station getting gas, I will not get fuel from a station if they are getting their tanks filled or if I know they have been refilled in less than 24 hours.


+1 on MINI's & premium! Even in my Justa, but especially with the blower!

 

In the 1990's Arco was the only company who put 10% ethanol in their gas, that's why you got worse mileage with Arco compared to other brands back then. Now they all have added ethanol, so you will get equally poor gas mileage over all brands of gas compared to non-ethanol gas.

There is an independent service station near me that sells non-ethanol 92 octane gasoline. I add a half a bottle of Techron to my tank (purchased by the case at Costco) whenever I fill up there.

 

I've got a station near me that sells 93 ethonal free. That's the only thing I use in my car unless it's an emergency and then I only use enough to get to this station.

 

A testamonial: I was buying 91 fuel from a Kroger station, not Top Tier, because of the discount. Things went south after a couple of years and my indie shop showed me why and gave me a print out from the Top Tier web site, shook his finger at me and said don't ever use anything else...aye aye. That was 6 years and 80+K miles ago using Top Tier only and no repeats.
http://www.toptiergas.com/

 

Here in CA where we live Shell and Chevron Carry 91 octane with no Ethanol, the 76 station near me has Ethanol in the blend Costco has Ethanol, Sam's Club doesn't We use only Shell or Chevron in the Mini. Nice thing we get discount on Chevron up to $ .20 a gallon because we have Safeway club card. Even with higher prices with small tank in the mine it's not that expensive to fill it. The Expedition with its 28 gallon tank is a whole different story.

Tom

 

Thanks for jogging my memory, I'd forgotten that little detail.
I've never been this old before.
That was exactly the reason!



I live out in the sticks (17 miles to the nearest town). There is a convenience store about 4 miles from my house (on the way to town) that sells ethanol-free premium but they charge ~$2/gallon more for their premium than the ethanol laced stuff in town. So far, it's the only source I know of that pumps the stuff. I have a friend that buys fuel in bulk for his "farm" and he is able to buy ethanol-free gas in bulk, 200-300 gallons at a time. Funny thing is, he doesn't own a tractor...

 

Thanks for all the replies !!

MUCH appreciated !!

TOP TIER GAS......YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I just add gas treatment every other fill up.

 

A fantastic additive is BG 44K fuel system and injector cleaner. I add a can about every 6 months.

 

How is BG 44K better than other fuel injector cleaners?

 

+1 At every oil change.

 

Well, if you have three products that all do pretty much the same thing then selection boils down to: If you're so inclined, the design on the can or availability or for some, price (strictly TIC). But, to directly answer your question, I'm not familiar with other additives so I really can't voice an appraisal for you. Maybe someone will step in with 'numbers'. Since it's you though, I'll throw in your question to the comparison of say Black Butte to Cutthroat. How do you choose...or keep some of both on hand?

 

BG warrants their products. Can't say that for the others.

 

I've heard nothing but good things about Techron. I haven't ever heard of BG 44K until I saw it on this thread.

 

What is the warranty? Product looks the same as every other Naptha based fuel cleaner.

 

google it

 

Gee, why didn't I think of that, brilliant.



A total ripoff product.

 

I Googled the material safety data sheet for BG 44K.

There's nothing special in it.

http://www.bgfleming.com/products/msds/208.pdf

Stoddard solvent is also called mineral spirits or paint thinner.

 

Techron is what is sold at the mini dealer. They just put their label on it....oh....and charge more money !!

 

Sea foam

 

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