[Healeys] Gas Quality

Bob Spidell bspidell at comcast.net
Sat Apr 5 07:05:21 MST 2008


I'm not a pro, but as an aspiring chemist at one time and an auto 
enthusiast I've kept somewhat informed on this topic.

All gas--in California at least--comes from only a few refineries.  My 
understanding is that all the suppliers use the same base stock and add 
their own additive packages.  Presumably, the "name" brands MIGHT use 
more or better additives, but thats only hearsay. 

Anecdotally, I can tell you I kept track of mileage in my Ford Ranger 
for over 12 years and 112,000 miles.  Usually, I filled up at the local 
"off-brand" Rotten Robbie station.  I also filled up with Chevron at my 
father's when I visited (he's a farmer and has his own tank).  Both were 
87 octane unleaded.  The mileage never varied.  I've also used many 
brands of premium in my BJ8 traveling throughout the western US--paying 
studious attention to mileage--and have noticed no difference (from 15 
to 24mpg depending on terrain, driving style and presence of local law 
enforcement ;).

In CA, we get two different blends of fuel: "winter" and "summer."  The 
winter fuel is blended for a higher vapor pressure and the summer 
blend--I believe--contains more oxygenates to help reduce smog (used to 
be MTBE, now probably ethanol).  The summer blend will give somewhat 
lower mileage (maybe 1-2 highway mpg).  Tire type and pressure probably 
makes a bigger difference.

The GOB was BS'n.


bs


Mark and Kathy wrote:
>    During a job the other day I was forced to listen to this "Good Old Boy"
> talking to an unknowledgeable  secretary about how poor the quality of gas
> is at "such and such" places so he only goes to Shell stations.
>
>    He claims that he gets much better gas mileage out of  Shell gas as
> compared to the equal octane of other stations.
>
>     Even though I have to drive around all  day for a living I have never
> really been one to focus on what my gas mileage is from the use of one
> company's gas over the other.
>
>     Being that gas prices are going through the roof these days ,  curiosity
> is getting the best of me.
>
>     Is it time to start focusing on  the best MPG from  certain manufacturers
> over others?  Personally I find myself using the convenience stores more than
> any cause its convenient.  (7-11s mostly) which is BP gas now.
>
>     Keeping track of my mileage is a daily activity but figuring my mileage
> has not been.   Is it time to change?
>
> This is in reference more towards our daily drivers cause we all know our
> Healeys are measured  in FPM (Fun per miles).
>
> Mark
> _______________________________________________
>   
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Bob Spidell         San Jose, CA        bspidell at comcast.net
'67 Austin-Healey 3000             '56 Austin-Healey 100M
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