Top Tier Gas makes a difference - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Ohten · 02-08-2010, 09:27 PM

I picked up my car on 1/31/10 with a full tank of gas.I just ran the car down to a 1/4 tank and refueled using Shell V Power.The difference is like night and day,do you think those cheap bastards used 87 octane when my car was delivered?I have owned several cars that required premium fuel and have used top tier gas to find the best.

Madcat0911 · 02-08-2010, 09:30 PM

It has been known to happen. It may not be because they were necessarily cheap though. Some people at the dealership don't realize that the SS is premium fuel only.

AK Mike · 02-08-2010, 09:34 PM

Years ago, dealers didn't get reimbursed (by the factory) when they used premium fuel...I don't know for sure, but I'd guess it's no different today, especially with the cost of fuel. I lucked out, my dealer made sure that I got premium for my first tankful...I wouldn't be surprised if GM only gave 'em the cost back in regular....

I do know your car will like the better gas for sure!

tlc9193 · 02-08-2010, 09:36 PM

FUSE PULL

Ohten · 02-08-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK Mike

Years ago, dealers didn't get reimbursed (by the factory) when they used premium fuel...I don't know for sure, but I'd guess it's no different today, especially with the cost of fuel. I lucked out, my dealer made sure that I got premium for my first tankful...I wouldn't be surprised if GM only gave 'em the cost back in regular....

I do know your car will like the better gas for sure!

It does,I can feel the difference.

bono83 · 02-09-2010, 10:33 AM

Speaking of "Top Tier Gas," I was shocked to learn that Mobil and BP are not on the list at toptiergas.com. I was even more surprised that some of the bargain gases like Kwik Trip were certified as top tier.

I've used only Shell, BP, or Mobil in my cars for as long as I can remember and never had any fuel related problems. 184,000 miles on my 1994 Silverado and 138,000 on my 2002 Venture. I've always been afraid to use the cheaper gases.

Not considering octane ratings, what are your thoughts on quality at the various stations? Some of my friends say "gas is gas" and they claim they've seen the same delivery trucks go directly from one brand station to another. I also worry about the age and condition of the station and tanks regardless of the brand.

TommyTSquared · 02-09-2010, 10:38 AM

There's a pretty extensive thread about top tier gas. And while you can see a single truck going to different brand stations, it isn't really that simple of a story. It's pretty long and drawn out, with a lot of scenarios and variables of what could happen.

IndyDave · 02-09-2010, 11:22 AM

I stick with either Shell or Marathon gas. Also have a 5% discount credit card for both & THAT definitely helps!!

MacTruck · 02-09-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohten

The difference is like night and day,do you think those cheap bastards used 87 octane when my car was delivered?.

I was worried about the same thing when he drove it off to fuel it up. I didnt even ask him when he got back. No point in it really. I figured I would feel a difference when I refueled. We shall see.

OBX Bumblebee · 02-09-2010, 01:13 PM

The dealership made it a point to tell me I didn't have to run premium in my car, like it was a selling point. At that point I didn't know one way or the other. I'm sure I got a tank of 87 octane with the car.

Ashamed to admit it but didn't find out until recently I needed to be running high octane. I'll have to see if it makes a difference the next time I fill up. Only filled up three times so far anyway....

MemphisRaines · 02-09-2010, 02:39 PM

I am by no means an expert but as it's explained in the book Oil on the Brain all gas is the same. Retailers all get it from the same refinery (in a given area). The book explains that trucks from Mobil, BP, Shell, and the distributors who serve the independent stations all get their gas from literally the same pipe at a refinery. They can and often do put additives (like Top Tier) in after they get it but the actual gasoline is all the same....

2ndgenz28 · 02-09-2010, 02:47 PM

Yes they do that; we have a BP which his now BP Husky refinery near us.
And if you follow the pipes a half mile away to the Marathon filling station [its for filling tankers, not cars] You will see Shell Vpower tankers filling up, along with speedway and others.

All gas is the same; it’s the additives they use to make their own blend that can be different.

But its all comes from BP Husky here.

We do have a Sunoco refinery but they only fill their own tankers.

zen · 02-09-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OBX Bumblebee

The dealership made it a point to tell me I didn't have to run premium in my car, like it was a selling point. At that point I didn't know one way or the other. I'm sure I got a tank of 87 octane with the car.

Ashamed to admit it but didn't find out until recently I needed to be running high octane. I'll have to see if it makes a difference the next time I fill up. Only filled up three times so far anyway....

You don't "have to" run 91 or 93 octane. It is recommended.

2ndgenz28 · 02-09-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zen

You don't "have to" run 91 or 93 octane. It is recommended.

You don't have to bursh your teeth every day but its recommended.

02-08-2010, 09:27 PM	#1
Ohten Drives: Granite Crystal Challenger SRT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: West Palm Beach,FL by way of Akron,OH Posts: 1,406 View My Garage	Top Tier Gas makes a difference I picked up my car on 1/31/10 with a full tank of gas.I just ran the car down to a 1/4 tank and refueled using Shell V Power.The difference is like night and day,do you think those cheap bastards used 87 octane when my car was delivered?I have owned several cars that required premium fuel and have used top tier gas to find the best. __________________

02-08-2010, 09:30 PM	#2
Madcat0911 Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 243	It has been known to happen. It may not be because they were necessarily cheap though. Some people at the dealership don't realize that the SS is premium fuel only. __________________ Camaro 1SS/RS, Manual Transmission, BA package, Transformers package ---------------------

02-08-2010, 09:34 PM	#3
AK Mike Drives: 1951 Chevy Pickup 2010 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Juneau, Alaska Posts: 396 View My Garage	Could be... Years ago, dealers didn't get reimbursed (by the factory) when they used premium fuel...I don't know for sure, but I'd guess it's no different today, especially with the cost of fuel. I lucked out, my dealer made sure that I got premium for my first tankful...I wouldn't be surprised if GM only gave 'em the cost back in regular.... I do know your car will like the better gas for sure!

02-09-2010, 10:33 AM	#6
bono83 Drives: 1969 Chevelle, 2010 1LT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 378	Speaking of "Top Tier Gas," I was shocked to learn that Mobil and BP are not on the list at toptiergas.com. I was even more surprised that some of the bargain gases like Kwik Trip were certified as top tier. I've used only Shell, BP, or Mobil in my cars for as long as I can remember and never had any fuel related problems. 184,000 miles on my 1994 Silverado and 138,000 on my 2002 Venture. I've always been afraid to use the cheaper gases. Not considering octane ratings, what are your thoughts on quality at the various stations? Some of my friends say "gas is gas" and they claim they've seen the same delivery trucks go directly from one brand station to another. I also worry about the age and condition of the station and tanks regardless of the brand. __________________ Order: 5/23/09 - Deposit given with order at dealer. 1100: 6/26/09 - Order placed by dealer - no allocation 2000: 8/15/09 - Accepted by GM. 2500: 8/18/09 - Preferenced. 3000: 8/18/09 - Accepted by Production Control. 3100: 9/9/09 - Available to Sequence. 3300: 9/9/09 - Scheduled for Production. 3400: 9/19/09 - Broadcast. 3800: 9/29/09 - Produced. 4000: 9/29/09 - Available to Ship. 4150: 9/29/09 - Original Invoice. 4200: 10/6/09 - Shipped. 5000: 10/13/09 - Delivered to Dealer. 6000: 10/13/09 - Delivered to Customer.

02-09-2010, 11:22 AM	#8
IndyDave Drives: '10 Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 715	I stick with either Shell or Marathon gas. Also have a 5% discount credit card for both & THAT definitely helps!! __________________ Black 2LT, RS package, Polished Wheels,Hurst Short Throw MRT V2 Exhaust, Injen CAI, Silver Rally Stripes, Sun Roof Heritage Grille, 30% Window Tint, Splash Guards

02-08-2010, 09:36 PM	#4
tlc9193 The Original Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 329 View My Garage	FUSE PULL

02-09-2010, 10:38 AM	#7
TommyTSquared Drives: RSSS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 2,492	There's a pretty extensive thread about top tier gas. And while you can see a single truck going to different brand stations, it isn't really that simple of a story. It's pretty long and drawn out, with a lot of scenarios and variables of what could happen.

02-09-2010, 01:13 PM	#10
OBX Bumblebee Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS T/F Edition Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: OBX Posts: 93	The dealership made it a point to tell me I didn't have to run premium in my car, like it was a selling point. At that point I didn't know one way or the other. I'm sure I got a tank of 87 octane with the car. Ashamed to admit it but didn't find out until recently I needed to be running high octane. I'll have to see if it makes a difference the next time I fill up. Only filled up three times so far anyway....

02-09-2010, 02:39 PM	#11
MemphisRaines Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Clive, IA Posts: 97	I am by no means an expert but as it's explained in the book Oil on the Brain all gas is the same. Retailers all get it from the same refinery (in a given area). The book explains that trucks from Mobil, BP, Shell, and the distributors who serve the independent stations all get their gas from literally the same pipe at a refinery. They can and often do put additives (like Top Tier) in after they get it but the actual gasoline is all the same....

02-09-2010, 02:47 PM	#12
2ndgenz28 Thread Killer Drives: All Black Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NWO Toledo Area Posts: 4,720	Yes they do that; we have a BP which his now BP Husky refinery near us. And if you follow the pipes a half mile away to the Marathon filling station [its for filling tankers, not cars] You will see Shell Vpower tankers filling up, along with speedway and others. All gas is the same; it’s the additives they use to make their own blend that can be different. But its all comes from BP Husky here. We do have a Sunoco refinery but they only fill their own tankers.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Fuel pump or bad tank of gas?	Boomer Sooner	4th Generation Camaros	25	01-02-2009 06:34 PM
GM: Natural Gas is an enticing alternative	Mr. Wyndham	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	12	08-02-2008 08:02 PM
Punks puncture gas tanks	Scotsman	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	22	05-30-2008 02:19 AM
gas prices.	Congoman775	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	65	05-28-2008 12:20 PM
Detroit Autos Insider: Milage at the top of new cars buyers lists	Scotsman	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	2	03-24-2008 05:29 PM