Is Gas just Gas

[wadeh]

Originally Posted by mynetdude

I always get the cheapest gas I can find at one of the major brands (in my camaro for sure, my DD; not so I get whatever's cheapest in town even if its crap gas); shell, texaco, 76, Chevron I use octane 87 I do mostly city driving and I do about 6 miles one way on the freeway at least once a week sometimes more and I do about 6 miles of highway driving once a week at least but sometimes more (I go highway one way and freeway the other way) and I never get more than 15-16mpg but according to the EPA spec sheet I should never get less than 20mpg on the brand new 2014 2LT and should get close to 30mpg on the freeway which is bull as well (and I have automatic).

I have owned MANY V6s and straight 6s; I have NEVER EVER seen a 6cyl engine get more than 18mpg even brand new. You want those kinds of miles, get a 4cyl LOL.

I drive my 2011 SS in mixed traffic in the Seattle area and average around 20mpg. The last time I had it in California, I got about 28mpg cruising on I5. In Washington state, I can only get around 25-26mpg. All of my vehicles get about 10-15% better mileage when I get gas in California vs. Washington. I don't know how I would do on Oregon gas. They don't let me fill it myself, so I don't get gas there.

In true stop and go traffic, my mileage drops to 14-15mpg. I tend to avoid stop and go traffic and take alternate routes.

Another factor is the distance you drive. If you are only driving 6 miles, your car is just getting warmed up by the time you get there. My commute is 25 miles each way.

All that said, I really don't think that there is a significant difference in economy between a V6 and V8 Camaro. I have a coworker with a car equipped very much like mine, except his in an LT and mine is an SS. He also has about a 25 mile commute, but in a different direction. Our miles per gallon in daily use are just about the same (I may even get 1-2mpg better).

[mynetdude]

Originally Posted by wadeh

I drive my 2011 SS in mixed traffic in the Seattle area and average around 20mpg. The last time I had it in California, I got about 28mpg cruising on I5. In Washington state, I can only get around 25-26mpg. All of my vehicles get about 10-15% better mileage when I get gas in California vs. Washington. I don't know how I would do on Oregon gas. They don't let me fill it myself, so I don't get gas there.

California has totally different emission laws from the rest of the USA so that's probably why you get better MPG. As for Oregon, I hear ya; I don't mind but its annoying when they totally skip you even though you were there before some of the other customers . HOWEVER if you're driving diesel; you CAN LEGALLY pump your own diesel in Oregon.

In true stop and go traffic, my mileage drops to 14-15mpg. I tend to avoid stop and go traffic and take alternate routes.

Another factor is the distance you drive. If you are only driving 6 miles, your car is just getting warmed up by the time you get there. My commute is 25 miles each way.

I agree obviously to make a dent in MPG I need to drive longer distances, and on some occasions I do; I'll drive to the next major valley city where we have costco and other stores we don't have where I live in this puny town.

All that said, I really don't think that there is a significant difference in economy between a V6 and V8 Camaro. I have a coworker with a car equipped very much like mine, except his in an LT and mine is an SS. He also has about a 25 mile commute, but in a different direction. Our miles per gallon in daily use are just about the same (I may even get 1-2mpg better).

On paper you're right, there isn't that much difference but I disagree with it like I said I've never seen a V6 get what you're getting and I'm not talking about just my vehicles I'm talking about every V6 I know about (my mom's and certain friends of mine).

According to a MPG calculator, I drove 500 miles from where I live to a city close to Ukiah, CA I got 500 miles on a single tank on my Ridgeline V6 (they now have V8 versions starting with 2011-12) according to the calcs its 25mpg which I barely get most of the time.

On paper I should be doing better than what I'm getting though but I am not complaining I expect these kinds of MPG for a V6 & V8; heck for a V8 I don't expect more than 10mpg its a big engine (and 'lest I haven't forgotten that there are different size V8s just like there are different size V6s as well).

As for California gas; I don't recall if I got any better MPG or not, I'll have to keep an eye on that when I go to California again (soon).

[TxBandit911]

All gas is gas, if not it would be called something else

[TooCool5]

Shell or Sunoco 87 for me, runs like a champ and gets great gas mileage.

[ender2664]

Thank you for all of the good information

[VeeGeeTea]

I recall seeing a video demonstration on the differences between standard and premium gas.

All grades gasoline contain similar amount of heat energy.

Higher octane is better for your engine because it has a lower "KNOCK", also known as detonation when fuel-air mixed to create combustion. You'll get a more controlled burn vs the lower tier. Also, the compression is much higher delivering more power to your vehicle.

If you value your vehicle's engine, you would use a higher octane as the lower one has a higher knock.

You can refer to your vehicle manual to see what kind of gas it recommends. The Camaro can accept lower tier gas, however, it is recommended that you use medium to higher tier gas from your petrol station.

Higher tier gas doesn't mean it'll clean your engine better, government has regulations to mandate that all tier gas require detergents to cleanse your engine of uncouth deposits.

[mynetdude]

Originally Posted by VeeGeeTea

I recall seeing a video demonstration on the differences between standard and premium gas.

All grades gasoline contain similar amount of heat energy.

Higher octane is better for your engine because it has a lower "KNOCK", also known as detonation when fuel-air mixed to create combustion. You'll get a more controlled burn vs the lower tier. Also, the compression is much higher delivering more power to your vehicle.

If you value your vehicle's engine, you would use a higher octane as the lower one has a higher knock.

You can refer to your vehicle manual to see what kind of gas it recommends. The Camaro can accept lower tier gas, however, it is recommended that you use medium to higher tier gas from your petrol station.

Higher tier gas doesn't mean it'll clean your engine better, government has regulations to mandate that all tier gas require detergents to cleanse your engine of uncouth deposits.

I'm aware higher grade fuel burns better; but I also thought it had more detergent than the other grades? I know the law requires ALL fuel to have a certain amount of detergent but each brand is allowed to add more if they choose to on all their fuels or some of their fuels, etc but they are not allowed to have less than the minimum that the law requires.

If 87, 89, 91 or 93 don't clean any better than the last grade then what's the point? The life of the engine will fare no better than 87 vs 93; better burning fuel doesn't mean the engine will last longer it just means it will perform better.

[ChocoTaco369]

Sometimes my gas is completely benign, other times it is so potent it could clear a line at a buffet. Usually it's a mild bouquet. It's worst after eating canned beans.

[VeeGeeTea]

Originally Posted by mynetdude

I'm aware higher grade fuel burns better; but I also thought it had more detergent than the other grades? I know the law requires ALL fuel to have a certain amount of detergent but each brand is allowed to add more if they choose to on all their fuels or some of their fuels, etc but they are not allowed to have less than the minimum that the law requires.

If 87, 89, 91 or 93 don't clean any better than the last grade then what's the point? The life of the engine will fare no better than 87 vs 93; better burning fuel doesn't mean the engine will last longer it just means it will perform better.

Below is quoted from Money Talks News where it indicates that there is no difference in the detergent effectiveness on higher tier:



At first glance, Top Tier may seem like another way of saying “premium.” But they’re unrelated.

Premium is gasoline with a higher octane rating. Octanes are a group of hydrocarbons added to gas to slow down the fuel’s urge to self-ignite. They simply help engines run without pinging or knocking. Car manufacturers recommend premium gasoline for some cars, but many don’t need it. And if your car is rated for a lower octane, buying premium offers no benefit.

Top Tier gas is a special blend promoted by GM, BMW, Honda, Toyota, Audi, and Volkswagen. It contains detergent additives designed to reduce the buildup of deposits from combustion chambers, intake valves, and fuel injectors. Any octane rating can be Top Tier.

[MBS]

Originally Posted by JCunningham

to become top tier all they have to do is pay to be on the list right? Sunocos not on the list and they are one of the best. Kwik Fill is also very good. Basically any of the name brands are fine.

Man there is a lot of bad info on here . 1 of many ill advised info

[DRKS1D3]

Can we close this thread now (3 pages long )? I already answered the OP's question in post #42. The OP drives a V6. No high octane or special gasoline is needed...PERIOD. Put 87 in it and drive away.

[MBS]

Originally Posted by DRKS1D3

Can we close this thread now (3 pages long )? I already answered the OP's question in post #42. The OP drives a V6. No high octane or special gasoline is needed...PERIOD. Put 87 in it and drive away.

Thats debatable also , some think otherwise

[Cars and Tea]

Only Shell V-Power goes in the beast...

[321]

Originally Posted by shibbs

In MN anyway, my tuner says he sees the best results from BP and Sunoco premium fuel.

+1 MN is a 91 Octane Premium requirement state and most chains went with it, BP as a franchise still offers 93 and I've noticed enough of a difference where I won't go back. Way better mileage, more oomph, smoother idle.