I've been using Shell gas because I've heard the quality is very high. My Fit does indeed run well on this gas. I no longer want to support Shell, though, so what would be a good alternative? I want an ethanol-free gasoline. Around here we have BP, Exxon, Enmark, and I think we have Texaco and Citgo, but honestly I haven't paid that much attention. Those companies aren't on my usual routes.
Opinions? Thanks!

 

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I use Shell as well, whats the beef?

Anyhow, BP is a sound alternative quality-wise, but ethically is probably worse than Shell.

A quick google search should show you who is good choice.

 

The only ethanol-free gas around me is BP 93.

 

Well, they're all bad----that's the nature of it----but I don't want Shell to drill in Alaska.

 

It seems in Asheville, the only choice for ethanol free gas are Triangle stations. But I'd be skeered buying gas from some off-brand retailer with stinky restrooms. (dunno about either, but "Triangle" sounds kind of sketchy).

What makes you think Shell adds no ethanol in Asheville?

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Citgo, if you click on "details" appears to no longer offer it, and of course you'd be supporting Hugo Chavez if you bought there: another dilemma.

Texaco was bought by Shell.

Then there was the Exxon Valdez.

Enmark and Triangle are probably just retailers that buy gas from anyone (whatever is left on the truck).

I'd probably stick with Shell and their nice clean Dutch girl image.

 

How else do you expect oil to be brought to the surface? Unbelievable, some people are just...WOW!!! Are you one of those "greenies"? If so, why do you have any car since you are against the supposed beast that is big oil doing what they need to do so you can drive from A to B? Go get a bicycle and raincoat and then you can moan about what such and such company is planning to do.

 

spreadhead already posted the popcorn link, as there are going to be plenty of opinions that perhaps your logic might not be correct in terms of both

technical:
1) the gas going to different stations is not going to be different
2a) Shell gas stations might not come from "shell" or even a "shell" refinery anyway
2b) or conversely, the fuel from other stations might still be "shell" oil or comes from a "shell" refinery
3) the operation and maintenance of the gas station/pumps/tanks etc makes more of a difference.

and economical:
4) whether your choice to not buy from there makes a difference to the company but just harms the station operator
5) global economy and the global oil market.

Anyway, I will avoid trying to convince you on my thoughts or perspectives on this. I'm going to put myself into your shoes and answer your original request, and if you are of the mindset that fuel makes a difference, and Shell was your previous choice, then you probably will be satisfied or get peace of mind by going to any other station brand that is top tier certified:

Top Tier Gasoline

 

I've found NO notable difference between brands. I use Sinclair (Utah, Nevada, Wyoming brand) which only has 85 octane, and I actually perform better MPGs than I did with the tanks of Mobil and Shell that I ran on down in LA.

I think Valero is okay. Smaller company than Shell.

 

Top Tier is a marketing campaign invented by QuickTrip, and you know from DSM how reliable their marketing campaigns are...

According to the Indian guy I work with, "Never buy gas from a station run by someone that looks like me." We both work in IT but he owns a liquor store on the side (he knows stuff).

 

Hahahaha, thank you for this!

^This.

In my little town, we have a Western Refinery. Western Refinery delivers fuel to every gas station around with the exception of 7-2-11, Sams Club, and Safeway. Every other station is getting whatever fuel Western has. The only difference is the additives that different companies put into their products.

 

In this part of the country all refined products come from the Gulf states via Colonial Pipeline. That's not to say they couldn't run a load of their own refined fuel through, but it's probably not cost effective.

Ethanol is added locally at the distribution depot.

Each retailer has its own additive package, I don't know where that gets put in (maybe I'll ask my Indian bud).

 

Additives get put in at the fuel depot, after filling up the huge tanker with 8000gallons of fuel, they throw in 1 bucket of whatever makes shell "nitrogen enhanced", or chevron "techron", or liquified "tigers" etc etc. Get's mixed together on the trip to the station.

Leftovers get sent to safeway/costco or other "2nd tier" stations who just bid the lowest, but it's gas that's still good enough to meet specifications.

 

It's called "the free market." You sound like someone back in the USSR days, "How dare you criticize central planning, you walk."

 

it's called GAS... suck it up!

 

This might help: Ethanol-free gas stations in NC

K_C_

 

Shipments up the Colonial Pipeline (it passes about 1/4 mile from my house) are "fungible". When a company makes a shipment, the put a load in and get a load out. They don't get the same fuel out that they put in. There is an interesting Modern Marvels show about gasoline. It has alot of information about many aspects of gasoline. Modern Marvels Gasoline - YouTube The part about pipelines starts about 29 minutes into the show.

 

Most are, but not all.

I don't know which refiners segregate their product (or if any do).


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