zrm@prism.UUCP (06/27/85)
Does anyone out there know of quality ratings, other than octane ratings, for gasoline? All that an octane rating tells you is that a particular gasoline won't knock in high compression engines. But how do I tell if one gasoline will yield better performance than another?
osmigo@ut-ngp.UTEXAS (osmigo) (07/03/85)
It's hard to say that one gas is better than another one. Their effect on performance varies a great deal, even between two identical cars coming off the assembly line next to each other. Gas companies and refineries put in various additives in their gasolines, to discourage condensation, internal rust, and so forth. It's even possible to get bum gas by filling up your tank right after the gas station has refilled its storage tanks, and the slop on the bottom is still stirred up. Trial and error is the only way, if you're keen enough to detect any difference at all. Just stay with the major brands, like Exxon, Gulf, Shell, etc. The above information is derived from a book entitled, "Drive it Forever." I forget the author, but he is a former president of the SAE (Society of Auto- motive Engineers). If you are serious about getting your buck's worth out of a car, this book is a MUST read. ...Ron Morgan ut-ngp :wq :q! *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE ***
wjhe@hlexa.UUCP (Bill Hery) (07/08/85)
> Just stay with the major brands, like Exxon, Gulf, > Shell, etc. > Even then, you can't be sure what you're getting. The majors swap gasoline, so you might be getting Exxon at a Shell station, etc. Bill Hery P. S., the majors also supply custom blended gasoline, motor oil, etc. to both off-brand and quality brand suppliers. For example, most of the motor oil sold under a well known 'Pennsylvania grade' premium motor oil brnad name actually comes from a Gulf coast refinery belonging to one of the majors.
ned@SCIRTP.UUCP (Ned Robie) (07/10/85)
Consumer Reports, in the special auto edition (April '85??), reported that gas is often swapped between the major refineries to reduce distribution costs, among other reasons. The article also said that gas additives (other than lead) are mainly sales gimmicks that do little to increase the quality of the gas. It recommended buying gas from independents because it's usually cheaper and no different from that sold by the biggies. It also recommended not buying gas from a station that just had its tanks filled (if you happen to know) because you could be introducing sediment into your tank that was stirred-up. -- Ned Robie