Which Brand Gas to Buy

[kjax909]

In a recent issue of one of the bike mags (Roadbike, I think), they referenced a standard some of the bike manufacturers (BMW included)are using to recommend whose fuel to buy. The gist of the issue is that many gasoline companies are either not complying w/ the EPA requirements for certain minimum levels of detergents in their fuel (generally considered to be a good thing for motorcycles, especially fuel injected motorcycles) or otherwise are manufacturing substandard fuel (i.e. not consistently producing the octane advertised). Click on the "Retailers" tab to see who "makes the grade"

http://www.toptiergas.com/

[QSIMDO]

A few months back we received a load of fuel at our depot and I chatted awhile with the driver.
Two days later I ran into him making a delivery where I fuel up my personal truck.

"You deliver here too!?"

"I deliver to nearly every station in town. ALL the gasoline comes out of the same tanks at the fuel docks, the only difference will be a tracer liquid put in so that XYZ company knows they're getting what they paid for."

Go figure.

[Paul Mihalka]

I will buy any brand of gas, even off or discount brands, as long as I'm buying from a large volume station. Never had a problem. By the way, a tip: I am using a VISA "Rewards" credit card, wich gives 5% off on gas, supermarkets, and drug stores.

[kjax909]

I often wonder whether gas is all the same or not. Here's some fairly technical info on all things gasoline, although I don't know what the ultimate source of this info is. Go to part 2, 4.12, "Are brands different?". This author believes so:

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/autos/gasoline-faq/part1/

[Dr Adventure]

The gasoline brands definitely differ, especially for Premium grade (high octane). I've worked for 2 oil companies, and have good friends in several more. The additives by the big oil refiners differ significantly from company to company.

The big oil companies throw a lot of money into R&D. It makes a difference. The big names produce better product. As the reference indicates, changing regulations on fuel formulation will put the companies with good R&D teams making better re-formulated fuels. As mandated by the recent Energy Bill, we will see a lot of ethanol (grain alcohol) in our gas in coming years -- the bigger companies will adjust their refining processes earlier to make the ethanol additives as harmless as possible, and maybe even beneficial.

Our boxers need quality gasoline of at least 90 Octane number. I am buying Shell or Chevron when I get the choice at 93 Octane -- (R + M)/2 method.

Another tip, especially for those of you in colder climates -- never buy gas when the gas station tanks are being filled or have just been filled. The filling process will stir up water that invariably can be found in the bottom of the tanks. That water will end up in your fuel, which is typically not a good thing. In extreme cases, it can freeze out in the fuel lines. Higher octane gasolines will prevent that to some degree, but it's still worth being aware of. I steer clear of stations with the big tanker truck parked on the lot, topping up the tanks.

[boxermania]

Just a point of clarification........

Gasoline is gasoline, what changes is the additive package which among oher things defines the octane rating of the gasoline.

There is no caloric value diference (BTU's), between regular and premium. The additive package inhibits detonation by reducing the flash point of the mixture.

[leno]

Some time ago the british police were investigating the riots that had happened and in particular where the petrol for the fire bombs had come from. So they set their frerensic team to the job of tracking down the petrol station at was the source. The petrol companys had to admit that they shared tankers to keep down costs so their petrol was mixed and never pure BP or Shell. So the source could not be identified. So when it comes to buying petrol I use the one I pass on the way and don't worry too much what the brand is.

[solitario11]

I use what ever HT gas I find, the only time when I use to go out of way for gas was with my 1995 T-100 toyota, I had to use high test from everybody but SHELL. with Shell I could use the mid grade and the truck ran better then others high test! So with that I assume that SHELL is the best, I know thats not much to go on but what do I know!

[jamming]

I use premium from a name brand station. I have never had any problems. I know for a fact that some regular unleaded got dumped in the super tank one time as my bike pinged and quit doing it when I ran half the tank out and refueled.
I changed the filter in the tank and now have an outside filter as well that is changed every other oil change.
Roger

[jm1515]

I use 89octane as the label on my gas tank says. My bike runs great, and I average just a tad over 47mpg.
I buy from most name brand stations...and dump some Techron or Duralube in the gas at every oil change.

[rph802]

Out of habit from growing up in a small town with only a few gas stations to chose from, I habitually frequent the stations with the flying red pegasus. Heard too many horror stories of getting gas at places like Cumbies and such to dismiss entirely their reliability. Perhaps the gas going into the tanks is exactly or nearly the same but what about the tanks themselves?? How good are the sidings or liners designed to keep out moisture?? how much does that factor into what is going into the tank? I dont know for sure but its something I take into consideration.

Besides the Speedpass thing is the coolest thing for gassing up on the bike!! Keep one on the keyring and no digging out the wallet and credit card from the tankbag or sidecases.

Craig

[boxermania]

Just something that I practice when riding away from home.....you will se me buying from a non brand station that pumps a lot than a brand station that pumps little.........

[hotzuk]

Hey QSIMDO,

Thanks for that note about the conversation with the distributor. My gasoline brand loyality got shattered by a similiar incident. I always frequented Mobil. Then one day I saw the Mobil truck pull right into the Joe Schmo generic station across the street which I always avoided. My new rule is go with the station that had the highest volume of traffic whenever possible.

[Boxer]

Jet fuel! No not really.

I try to find a Chevron station to get the tehcron additive when I can. If not I use any brand available and stay at the mid grade 89 octane.

[jb44]

Quote: "Jet fuel! No not really."

Hi Phil....glad you added the "not really"...jet fuel is basically kerosine...

However, I've often wondered how Avgas (100 octane w/lead) from the local airport would run in the boxer. I've noticed a few airboats (with automotive engines) filling up there...

jb

[Deans BMW]

You get the best milege and greatest power with the lowest octane that you can run with out pinging. You can run a lower octane in the winter because of a cooler runing engine. In Pheonix riding in the summer with street temps above 120 F you will want to run a higher octane. You do not want to run Av Gas. Premimum at a gas station is not a better fuel than regular, just slower burning and harder to light off.

[KHaynes]

I will buy any brand of gas, even off or discount brands, as long as I'm buying from a large volume station....

Best advice.

[Martyn]

I will buy any brand of gas, even off or discount brands, as long as I'm buying from a large volume station....

Best advice.

A bit of a story, & not just an anecdote. For years my Police Dept. had its own fuel tanks at various stations, but over the years the Env. Regulations got tighter & tighter, coupled with our county being covered by 24/7 petrol stations, so a few years ago the decision was made to dispose of all but one of our storeage tanks.
In it's place all cars & m/cycles were issued with a credit card like fuel card. Invariably a lot of officers, who found themselves attending at supermarkets for other jobs, took the opportunity whilst there to fuel up with the (cheap) supermarket fuel.
After a short while officers were taking their cars, & bikes, in to Workshops for Service & complaining of erratic tickover & generally rough running.
As an experiment several officers were told that the mechanics would leave the vehicles "as-found" but instead for the next month they were to refuel at Texaco or Shell stations only. By the end of the month smooth running had returned.
I happened to find myself talking to a petrol industry chemist at a social function & we discussed this.
Obviously realising that he was dealing with an idiot, he used the following analogy; if you took a joint of meat & cut it into 4, then gave 4 chef's a piece of meat each, they could go off & produce 4 different dishes - the meat - or stock petroleum - is the same, the difference being the herbs & spices, for which read "additives".
Certainly here in the UK there is sharing of oil industry transport resources, but the tanker is carrying only the base petrol - the additives go in to the individual forecourt tanks, followed by the magic ingredients.
Me, I put my money where my mouth is - Shell Optimax where possible, or if not Texaco or BP.
Just my thoughts, you may differ,

[jb44]

You get the best milege and greatest power with the lowest octane that you cannes run with out pinging. ...You do not want to run Av Gas. .

Thanks for the info Dean-O.

...still curious about those airboats using Avgas. Perhaps it's the hot Florida summer temps, coupled with high compression, high performance engines?

jb

[wncbmw]

I usually go to one of the three stations I have a gas card for!

And I probably use too high an octane fuel according to Dean, although not always. I shall experiment some and try to save some money. Thanks again Dean!

I did get water in my gas tank once at a rainy Hungry Mother weekend ride with fellow board members. Suffered with a stumbling engine through one whole tank before finally stopping for some gas treatment and the problem went away. I don't think any of them are immune to that.