Gas Company matters for MPG

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Aug 17, 2006 | 11:27 AM

Dinomon

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From: TX

Gas Company matters for MPG

I filled Shell (regular gas) today and I am only getting 18 MPG on my RX330. But when I fill from Exxon (regular gad) I get 21.5 MPG.

Have you noticed any difference when using different gas companies?

Aug 17, 2006 | 05:20 PM

4evDev

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I've wondered about this as well. I would think that your driving patterns and conditions can account for any improvement or drop in gas mileage. The petroleum from both companies doesn't come out the same everytime as well. They do a lot of blending, so it is almost never exactly the same. As far as quality, there definitely seems to be companies that have more problems with water in the gas, etc.

Last edited by 4evDev; Aug 17, 2006 at 05:23 PM. Reason: addition

Aug 17, 2006 | 05:27 PM

MSMLexIS

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From: Virginia

Normally i get better mileage with shell recently used exxon and now my mileage is better.

Aug 17, 2006 | 09:14 PM

ivanpetrov

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From: Minnesota

no official info here, but I've been told that exxon/mobile taps into the refined gasoline before the other companies do, therefore, they get it not only sooner, but they get gasoline off the top of the tank, supposedly the crap settles towards the bottom. Shell comes sooner than later, and is one of the better brands. then you have your other chains and, presumably, local stations get in last.

the easiest way to test gas quality: use a 2-stroke engine like a lawnmower with each brand of gas for an extended period. watch for the lawnmower to get stronger or weaker. it is noticable. years ago i always bought whatever was cheapest. now i know better.

Aug 17, 2006 | 10:13 PM

toy4two

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From: ca

Does one use 10% Ethanol in the mix? if so that would explain it.

Aug 17, 2006 | 10:19 PM

Lil4X

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From: Houston, Republic of Texas

Gasoline does not stratify in the tank into progressively lower grades, nor does it age significantly over a week or two it might be in storage. Motor fuels are blends of heptane and octane plus proprietary additives that are pretty much interchangeable.

What MAY be happening is that some brands are distributing ethanol blends more rapidly than others in some areas, the reduced energy content of the ethanol-blended fuels giving the remaining stocks of MTBE or un-oxygenated fuels a temporary mileage advantage.