How do you know if advertised "Additives" are really in your fuel?? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

garcmol · 04-24-2012, 03:25 PM

I don't know how fuel stations really work, or the tankers that fill the place. But we have a new Chevron down the street and Chevron always talks about "Techron". The tanker was finished and leaving when I pulled in to get gas. When I left and headed to work, the same tanker was filling up a Big Cat just down the street.

Does the individual station put their additives in? Like Shell, BP, etc?

Are there baffles or dividers in the tankers?

Began wondering about this after a fuel thread started in the general 5th gen discussion thread.

Any ideas?

edgar3 · 04-24-2012, 03:43 PM

after years of reviewing wines and cigars I've developed a keen palate.
The only way to know for sure is to swill a bit in your mouth. You have to know what you're "tasting" for.
I spit the gasoline out after I taste it... I'm not an idiot.

TIPS:
do not drink out of the hose
carry you're own shot glass
best not to smoke while testing

garcmol · 04-24-2012, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgar3

after years of reviewing wines and cigars I've developed a keen palate.
The only way to know for sure is to swill a bit in your mouth. You have to know what you're "tasting" for.
I spit the gasoline out after I taste it... I'm not an idiot.

TIPS:
do not drink out of the hose
carry you're own shot glass
best not to smoke while testing

good tips

SS 376 · 04-24-2012, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcmol

I don't know how fuel stations really work, or the tankers that fill the place. But we have a new Chevron down the street and Chevron always talks about "Techron". The tanker was finished and leaving when I pulled in to get gas. When I left and headed to work, the same tanker was filling up a Big Cat just down the street.

Does the individual station put their additives in? Like Shell, BP, etc?

Are there baffles or dividers in the tankers?

Began wondering about this after a fuel thread started in the general 5th gen discussion thread.

Any ideas?

It's most likely advertising BS. All you need to be concerned about is the octane.

garcmol · 04-24-2012, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS 376

It's most likely advertising BS. All you need to be concerned about is the octane.

I dunno.

Just saw the same tanker pull in to two different stations and fill them up. Just curious if someone knows.

camaro-dreamer · 04-24-2012, 05:34 PM

Techron (R) is a polyetheramine. If I was curious, I would simply take a sample and test it using FTIR spectroscopy. I can't think of anything else in gasoline that should have a C-N stretch.

*DGthe3* · 04-24-2012, 06:41 PM

The gasoline is 'premixed' before the tanker trucks are filled. The tankers themselves are divided into multiple compartments, and do they contain different types of fuel. I do not know if they have 5 different 'versions' of regular, then 5 more of premium, and 5 more of diesel or whether they have the same regular gas in several compartments.

However, I'm not convinced that one brand of gasoline is going to cause any more problems (or be of any more benefit) than the stuff just down the street. I'd be willing to bet that the additive ****tail each station uses is more or less the same. Sometimes you might have a branded additive used for advertising purposes, but chances are somebody else uses a similar chemical to do the same thing, they just call it something else. This is all just my own supposition though. I have little actual knowledge of the intricate details of gasoline branding/chemistry.

*edit*
auto-censor fail

SIRLOIN · 04-24-2012, 07:03 PM

I find that Shell seems to have the best gasoline. Just my opinion though...

Sometimes when fill up at other gas stations my car doesnt seem to run as smooth as when i get gas at Shell. Could be just my imagination but...

Also Shell gas stations are always nice and clean...

garcmol · 04-24-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaro-dreamer

Techron (R) is a polyetheramine. If I was curious, I would simply take a sample and test it using FTIR spectroscopy. I can't think of anything else in gasoline that should have a C-N stretch.

Hmmm, will they do that at AutoZone?

I have no idear what this means.

But keep them coming!

camaro-dreamer · 04-24-2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcmol

Hmmm, will they do that at AutoZone?

I have no idear what this means.

But keep them coming!

I would guess probably not. There are advantages to having an office next to an analytical chemistry lab.

04-24-2012, 03:25 PM	#1
garcmol Drives: 10 1LT SIM; 91 B4C sleeper Z Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ft. Mitchell, Alabama Posts: 7,199	How do you know if advertised "Additives" are really in your fuel?? I don't know how fuel stations really work, or the tankers that fill the place. But we have a new Chevron down the street and Chevron always talks about "Techron". The tanker was finished and leaving when I pulled in to get gas. When I left and headed to work, the same tanker was filling up a Big Cat just down the street. Does the individual station put their additives in? Like Shell, BP, etc? Are there baffles or dividers in the tankers? Began wondering about this after a fuel thread started in the general 5th gen discussion thread. Any ideas? __________________ Pedders Pace Car Package, Injen CAI, Flowmaster AT, AAC Lighting, ZL1 fascia/skirts, RKSport Ram Air hood, vented fenders, painted stripes (Gary's Customz), Honor and Valor badged (Thank you, John)

04-24-2012, 03:43 PM	#2
edgar3 Drives: 2010 2SS Join Date: May 2011 Location: upper deerfield, nj Posts: 419 View My Garage	after years of reviewing wines and cigars I've developed a keen palate. The only way to know for sure is to swill a bit in your mouth. You have to know what you're "tasting" for. I spit the gasoline out after I taste it... I'm not an idiot. TIPS: do not drink out of the hose carry you're own shot glass best not to smoke while testing __________________ XSPower Longtube + Catback "Engine to Tip" polished steel VMAX ported Throttle Body 160 degree thermostat Street Tune East Coast Supercharging Cold Air Inductions TRex Phantom Black Billet Grill. Upper and lower Custom Badging Lloyd Floors mats splash guards Underhood Engine bay done AAC LED mailslot strip lights Flowing Cheese Fondue waterfall in console Various food items to dip into warm cheese

04-24-2012, 06:41 PM	#7
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,372	The gasoline is 'premixed' before the tanker trucks are filled. The tankers themselves are divided into multiple compartments, and do they contain different types of fuel. I do not know if they have 5 different 'versions' of regular, then 5 more of premium, and 5 more of diesel or whether they have the same regular gas in several compartments. However, I'm not convinced that one brand of gasoline is going to cause any more problems (or be of any more benefit) than the stuff just down the street. I'd be willing to bet that the additive ***tail each station uses is more or less the same. Sometimes you might have a branded additive used for advertising purposes, but chances are somebody else uses a similar chemical to do the same thing, they just call it something else. This is all just my own supposition though. I have little actual knowledge of the intricate details of gasoline branding/chemistry. edit* auto-censor fail __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

04-24-2012, 05:34 PM	#6
camaro-dreamer Drives: 2013 Porsche 981S Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: TN Posts: 329	Techron (R) is a polyetheramine. If I was curious, I would simply take a sample and test it using FTIR spectroscopy. I can't think of anything else in gasoline that should have a C-N stretch.

04-24-2012, 07:03 PM	#8
SIRLOIN Banned Drives: Ms. Daisy Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Nashville,Tn Posts: 400	I find that Shell seems to have the best gasoline. Just my opinion though... Sometimes when fill up at other gas stations my car doesnt seem to run as smooth as when i get gas at Shell. Could be just my imagination but... Also Shell gas stations are always nice and clean...