Better gas stations?

[Reddie1337]

Now, I have always filled my cars up with Petro-Canada, but I am not sure if there is a better one to be running in a Mazda? Does it really make a difference if its just a 2.3 compared to a Speed3? I am just wondering what everyone uses or swears by for better fuel economy. I do just use Regular fuel, because as was my understanding, that's what these cars call for.

Thanks for any opinions.

[aris]

I don't really have a specific place anymore... I just go to the cheapest place now... I used to go to shell

[greaves82]

I found I always got the best gas mileage from esso or shell

[loosecannon]

I find that Esso gives me better mileage than Petro. I still have yet to give Shell a try though.

[mazdaspeedemon3]

i always used to fill up at shell and pioneer with my sunfire and she loved it, but now ive only put in petro-can and my MS3 responds well to it, seems like members here like petro-can...

[Reddie1337]

I like Petro-Canada because of my saving Mastercard. but I'm not sure its the best. I decided if this tank of shell gas doesn't vary too much, I'm just going to stick with Petro. I guess we shall see in a week, tops.

[The Wolf]

I prefer shell or esso, but in the winter I stay away from esso's winter gas.

[Reddie1337]

Any reason why?


I prefer shell or esso, but in the winter I stay away from esso's winter gas.

[The Wolf]

I noticed some gains in fuel economy at some point when filling up at shell and esso haha. Nothing scientific. Butvi don't like the idea of esso's winter gas. Already 10% ethanol, then other additives that almost certainly just help them dilute the fuel more. I feel like I'm paying for gasoline, and that's what I should be getting.

[Reddie1337]

like a significant amount of fuel economy? or just like a litre extra per tank here and there?

[McGuyver_3]

i find my speed really likes shell 91 in the summer, esso in the winter, running 94 petro and not that pleased with it. going back to shell
my 2.5l sedan loved esso all year round anything else and my mileage would take a huge dump
my 2.0 sedan loved pioneer and hated everything else

[dentinger]

i used shell in my mazda, GTI, and my truck, mostly because of the "nitrogen enriched" gas, and because of my air miles.
after 7 years, ive gained 2200 points. you know what that'll buy you? besides movie tickets? not much.

switched to canadian tire gas a while back. every fill up i get $5 in CT money. at the last two times i went, if you bought selected candy, you save $0.03/litre. theres another $3 or so saved, ontop of the candy.

[Reddie1337]

i used shell in my mazda, GTI, and my truck, mostly because of the "nitrogen enriched" gas, and because of my air miles.
after 7 years, ive gained 2200 points. you know what that'll buy you? besides movie tickets? not much.

switched to canadian tire gas a while back. every fill up i get $5 in CT money. at the last two times i went, if you bought selected candy, you save $0.03/litre. theres another $3 or so saved, ontop of the candy.

Are you noticing any fuel difference in anything? I guess from Shell to Canadian Tire?

[dentinger]

not a thing.
ive been getting 450 to a tank regularly. i'll have to see in the summer, but i doubt i'll see a difference.

[Fuman]

If it a http://www.toptiergas.com/
I doubt you will see a difference.

Switching gas stations may be worse.
When I switched from Shell to Chevron (US), my mileage went from 8L/100KM to 14L/100km (during that tank). I hypothesized that this was due to ECU trying to learn to use the new gas. Nonetheless, I went back to Shell on the next tank. Currently, I am using Petro Canada, and I still get about 8L/100KM.

[Kessly Snipes]

It's all the same


Oil companies spend lots of money explaining why their gas is better than the competition s. Chevron s gas, for example, is fortified with Techron, and Amoco Ultimate is supposed to save the planet along with your engine. But today more than ever, one gallon of gas is as good as the next.

True, additives help to clean your engine, but what the companies don t tell you is that all gas has them. Since 1994 the government has required that detergents be added to all gasoline to help prevent fuel injectors from clogging. State and local regulators keep a close watch to make sure those standards are met; a 2005 study indicated that Florida inspectors checked 45,000 samples to ensure the state s gas supply was up to snuff, and 99 percent of the time it was. There s little difference between brand-name gas and any other, says AAA spokesperson Geoff Sundstrom.

What s more, your local Chevron station may sell gas refined by Shell or Exxon Mobil. Suppliers share pipelines, so they all use the same fuel. And the difference between the most expensive brand-name gas and the lowliest gallon of no-brand fuel? Often just a quart of detergent added to an 8,000-gallon tanker truck.


From Refinery to Consumer
After crude oil is refined into gasoline and other petroleum products, the products must be distributed to consumers. The majority of gasoline is shipped first by pipeline to storage terminals near consuming areas and then loaded into trucks for delivery to individual gas stations.

Gasoline Is Sent Through Shared Pipelines Where Commingling Occurs
Gasoline and other products are sent through shared pipelines in “batches.” Since these batches are not physically separated in the pipeline, some mixing or “commingling” of products occurs. This mixing is why the quality of the gasoline and other products must be tested as they enter and leave the pipeline to make sure they meet appropriate specifications.

Whenever the product fails to meet local, State, or Federal product specifications, it must be removed and trucked back to a refinery for further processing.
Flow of Crude Oil and Gasoline to Your Local Gas Station

Click to enlarge »
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Public Domain)

Can I Tell Which Country or State the Gasoline at My Local Station Comes From?
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) cannot definitively say where gasoline at a given station originated since EIA does not collect data on the source of the gasoline sold at retail outlets. The name on the service station sign does not tell the whole story. The fact that you purchase gasoline from a given company does not necessarily mean that the gasoline was actually produced by that particular company’s refineries.

Gasoline Brands Get Mixed During Shipment
While gasoline is sold at about 162,000 retail outlets across the Nation, about one-third of these stations are "unbranded" dealers that may sell gasoline of any brand. The remainder of the outlets are "branded" stations, but may not necessarily be selling gasoline produced at that company’s refineries. This mixing of brands occurs because gasoline from different refineries is often combined for shipment by pipeline, and companies owning service stations in the same area may be purchasing gasoline at the same bulk terminal.

The only difference between the gasoline at station X and the gasoline at station Y may be the small amount of additives that those companies add to the gasoline before it gets to the pump.

Crude Oil also Gets Mixed at the Refinery
Even if we knew which company’s refinery produced the gasoline, the source of the crude oil used at that refinery may vary on a day-to-day basis. Most refiners use a mix of crude oils from various domestic and foreign sources. The mix of crude oils can change based on the relative cost and availability of crude oil from different sources.

A nice picture to help out

http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/images/new_flow_chart.png

[FD22]

Interesting thread. Just the other day I was thinking of changing up where I fill gas to better get points on a card (comparing aeroplan at places like Esso, and AirMiles at places like Shell, etc.)

I've always filled up at Shell. All three cars I've owned, I've always filled up at Shell, and for no real particular scientific-backed reason either. I guess it's just a personal preference. Though at the time when I was trying to decide a good place to fill, I did fall into that ideology of the "lower grade" gas stations out there, like maybe Petro, Esso, etc? But I feel like now everyone's pretty much the same quality. Anybody wanna respond here with some actual facts they might know? I might be wasting my time staying true to Shell all the time just because I've been doing it all these years, but it might turn out there's no real advantage to it after all..

[Kessly Snipes]

Interesting thread. Just the other day I was thinking of changing up where I fill gas to better get points on a card (comparing aeroplan at places like Esso, and AirMiles at places like Shell, etc.)

I've always filled up at Shell. All three cars I've owned, I've always filled up at Shell, and for no real particular scientific-backed reason either. I guess it's just a personal preference. Though at the time when I was trying to decide a good place to fill, I did fall into that ideology of the "lower grade" gas stations out there, like maybe Petro, Esso, etc? But I feel like now everyone's pretty much the same quality. Anybody wanna respond here with some actual facts they might know? I might be wasting my time staying true to Shell all the time just because I've been doing it all these years, but it might turn out there's no real advantage to it after all..

The post before yours is a good place to start

[The Wolf]

like a significant amount of fuel economy? or just like a litre extra per tank here and there?

I'm pretty sure it was mostly due to trying a Shell station in the spring and noticing 600+ km/tank vs 550 or so in the colder weather. I am fully aware of the fact that gasoline all comes from the same place. There have been a ton of threads about this, and I've voiced my opinion and experience in them, but I'll give you the cliff notes.

It's not the brand that matters, it's the station. 99% (non-scientific figure) comes down to the quality and maintenance of the tanks underground. If you get poor gas mileage after filling up at a certain station, cross it off your list.
That being said, I DO believe that if you can find gas with less - or better yet NO ethanol, it'll give you better mileage and save your engine.

[Kessly Snipes]

That being said, I DO believe that if you can find gas with less - or better yet NO ethanol, it'll give you better mileage and save your engine.

There is no question about it. you WILL get more power, as ethanol burns cooler, with less BTU, and you need to burn much more to get the same power.

That aid, I do not believe it is any harm to modern engines in E10 form. Cars are built for it and it isn't like it is eating away our plastics (thats what alcohol will hurt) since the car is designed for it.

[Reddie1337]

So basically what is being said is that it shouldn't really matter if I fill at Petro or Shell or Esso, except Shell/ Esso have the top tier gasoline?

[Kessly Snipes]

So basically what is being said is that it shouldn't really matter if I fill at Petro or Shell or Esso, except Shell/ Esso have the top tier gasoline?

Thats what I am getting from everything i have ever read. The octane does make a different, but 87 at one is going to be nearly identical as 87 from another (other than old, poorly maintained ground tanks).

BTW, Petro has 94 since the took over all the Sunocos

[Reddie1337]

Unless its an original petro. Then they don't have the tanks for it from before. But I agree, old stations, SUCK! My old car was just on the verge of the cat being gone. If I filled up at the crappy station, the CEL light came on. So I stick with newer ones :thumbs up

[Kessly Snipes]

Unless its an original petro. Then they don't have the tanks for it from before. But I agree, old stations, SUCK! My old car was just on the verge of the cat being gone. If I filled up at the crappy station, the CEL light came on. So I stick with newer ones :thumbs up

I always try for newer stations. Where I am we have very few older ones, and will only go to an older one if there is a BIG difference in price. I find myself going to Petro and Sesso the most, then sometimes Shell. If I am in Courtice visiting my parent I will go by the Ultramar in Oshawa since it is always 5 cents cheaper.

[sarujo]

I still with Shell. After having tried PC and Esso, I found that I always had better mileage from Shell fuels. Sure, gasoline is all formulated the same way, but different companies will have different additive packages and ethanol contents. Historically, ESSO always had the most sulphur in their fuels, although this may have changed.

[FD22]

I always try for newer stations. Where I am we have very few older ones, and will only go to an older one if there is a BIG difference in price. I find myself going to Petro and Sesso the most, then sometimes Shell. If I am in Courtice visiting my parent I will go by the Ultramar in Oshawa since it is always 5 cents cheaper.

I pass by this place twice a day, and I'm always so tempted to fill up, since as you said, it's always much cheaper. But something in me just doesn't feel comfortable filling from somewhere without a big name like Petro, Shell, etc. But since I'm reading that it all seems to be the same across different companies, and seems to depend more on the physical station itself, I might have to change my ways.

[JD@WhitbyMazda]

Mostly I use Shell because I drive by one on my drive home. My general rule of thumb is to stick to busy stations. The tanks at them see the most change over which will prevent moisture from developing inside them. I've had to fill up at some quieter stations driving up north and would note an occasional misfiring on that fuel and maybe 5-10% drop in economy...

[FD22]

Sorry, let me correct that.I was referring to "Fast Gas". I got mixed up. But Cmon, even the name sounds sketchy lol.

[Reddie1337]

There is a gas station right next to where I work, but I kinda have a rule about never filling my car up at it. They are always busy, but I never seem to have good mileage with them. In my old cavalier, I could never get anything good out of that station, I was always getting the best out of petro. And after 60000km, I changed the fuel filter on my car, and it was perfectly clean. That is one of the reasons I stuck with petro, I noticed how clean it kept my components, and liked that.

[vip3r87]

Shell or Pioneer...shell because of airmiles, pioneer because its always a few cents cheaper...which saves me maybe a dollar in the end :S

[Reddie1337]

Yeah. I don't really hunt for cheaper gas, I just liked saving 2 cents a litre from my card anyways.

I do hate when I do my trip from Ottawa, the gas in Perth was 10 cents cheaper than Sharbot Lake. That's my one big peeve!

[McGuyver_3]

I pass by this place twice a day, and I'm always so tempted to fill up, since as you said, it's always much cheaper. But something in me just doesn't feel comfortable filling from somewhere without a big name like Petro, Shell, etc. But since I'm reading that it all seems to be the same across different companies, and seems to depend more on the physical station itself, I might have to change my ways.

WHATEVER THE HELL YOU DO STAY AWAY FROM ULTRAMAR
my friends mom puts it in her car and the thing sounds like a friggen chainsaw. Such a shame...Brand new car to :(

[Kessly Snipes]

WHATEVER THE HELL YOU DO STAY AWAY FROM ULTRAMAR
my friends mom puts it in her car and the thing sounds like a friggen chainsaw. Such a shame...Brand new car to :(


I have never had a issue, so I'm going to say it isn;t the gas doing it.

[McGuyver_3]

I have never had a issue, so I'm going to say it isn;t the gas doing it.

It started sounding off after she made the switch to UM. Now mind you that's all she uses. You stated in your original post that you use it some times when you visit your parents. There is. Abig difference between sometimes and all the time

[Kessly Snipes]

It started sounding off after she made the switch to UM. Now mind you that's all she uses. You stated in your original post that you use it some times when you visit your parents. There is. Abig difference between sometimes and all the time

What kind of car, Year and how well is it taken car of. I can't see a gas station, that gets it gas from the same place as all other stations, giving out such bad gas it ruins the car.

I went to UOIT (100 feet from Ultramar) and filled up there every time I got gas for 4 years (even back when it was OLCO) with no issues. Now it is just sometimes.

[aris]

WHATEVER THE HELL YOU DO STAY AWAY FROM ULTRAMAR
my friends mom puts it in her car and the thing sounds like a friggen chainsaw. Such a shame...Brand new car to :(


I disagree with you... I used ultramar and never had any issues my dads puts it in his Mersedes and never had any issues.

More people I know use it and never had any issues

[Reddie1337]

Maybe its jut a bad gas station. I know there was one place I filled up in Cornwall once called MacEwan I believe. Worst mileage I have ever gotten, it was just terrible. There was less weight in my car after that fill up, and it did so much worse than it should have.

[dentinger]

i filled up at some shady gas stations when i drove across canada, using premium every time, i never noticed a difference in fuel economy or driveability,

[Reddie1337]

Possibly with premium, but I just use regular because my car calls for 87, all of my cars have actually.

[STeeLy]

Yeah. I don't really hunt for cheaper gas, I just liked saving 2 cents a litre from my card anyways.

I do hate when I do my trip from Ottawa, the gas in Perth was 10 cents cheaper than Sharbot Lake. That's my one big peeve!

It's usually cheapest in Marmora... at an Ultramar. But if you don't like/want Ultramar, wait til about Peterborough, the Esso and the Husky just before you hit the 115 (coming FROM Ottawa) is usually the cheapest along highway 7.

Once in a while though, Carleton place will be a few cents cheaper than Ottawa.

[Reddie1337]

I do like Perth for gas. That's fine for me. And I do know where it's cheapest :P

[dentinger]

Possibly with premium, but I just use regular because my car calls for 87, all of my cars have actually.

should have mentioned my car at the time was GTI, that needed premium.

[STeeLy]

I do like Perth for gas. That's fine for me. And I do know where it's cheapest :P

That's odd, which gas station in Perth? because when I go through, it seems like all the gas stations in Perth on highway 7 were more expensive than Peterborough.

[Reddie1337]

I don't see that. I see it as my cheapest option for Petro. Like I said so far, that's where I fill. I scouted the best for Petro cause that's what I thought was always best.

[Kessly Snipes]

I just hard from our courier gas is going up 3 cents tonight, Fill Up Boys!

[JD@WhitbyMazda]

You know whats a sight to behold? Is the line up of idling cars at the Costco Gas station... Last time I drove by they were 6-8 cars deep seemingly oblivious to the fact that they were wasting fuel while trying to save a few cents per liter....

[Kessly Snipes]

You know whats a sight to behold? Is the line up of idling cars at the Costco Gas station... Last time I drove by they were 6-8 cars deep seemingly oblivious to the fact that they were wasting fuel while trying to save a few cents per liter....

So many people do this. My car is shut off 9maybe too often) so I don't idle excessively. Are there any guidelines on doing this, i.e. amount of time before you should shut off?

[Flagrum_3]

So many people do this. My car is shut off 9maybe too often) so I don't idle excessively. Are there any guidelines on doing this, i.e. amount of time before you should shut off?

I think there is a 3 minute law in place...

I stick to shell gas exclusively, always have so I can't help the OP with his question.

_3

[Kessly Snipes]

I think there is a 3 minute law in place...

I stick to shell gas exclusively, always have so I can't help the OP with his question.

_3

Some places have a 1 minute by-law posted.

I mean more from a, "don't want to hurt my car" stand point

[Reddie1337]

So far it's not looking good first quarter of my tank. Over half being 80 and above. I am getting 12.1L/100km right now. (using my scan tool, and being actually at 75% of the tank right now. And it was reading 100% on the scanner when I filled. So not doing well so far. I think I'll be going back to Petro-Can. Not just because of my two cent saving card, but because this is using more shell gas to go the same distance than Petro-Can Gas.

And just so we are clear, I haven't changed my driving habit at all. Same type of driving, regular routine, no huge poundings on it except if necessary to pass.

[CanadianReaper]

You know whats a sight to behold? Is the line up of idling cars at the Costco Gas station... Last time I drove by they were 6-8 cars deep seemingly oblivious to the fact that they were wasting fuel while trying to save a few cents per liter....

This is pretty funny because I see it ever weekend I go to Costco. I always turn my engine off when waiting for gas/wash though as not to waste fuel idling.

I'd like to mention though that going any time other than on a Sat/Sun you can get 87/91 gas for 3-5 cents per litre cheaper than anywhere else. Check it out if you live close to a Costco or drive by one on a commute.

[Flagrum_3]

Some places have a 1 minute by-law posted.

I mean more from a, "don't want to hurt my car" stand point

As far as I am aware the law is 3minutes in the GTA. Anywhere else I don't know. Anyways...Idling a vehicle for a short period will not damage anything...say arbitrarily 3-5 minutes at a time. But with that said; prolonged idling may cause valve burn, and excessive carbon build-up over time...So in short, it's probably safer to not idle too long, but if in the situation, a blip of the throttle once in a while will help.

_3

[Kessly Snipes]

As far as I am aware the law is 3minutes in the GTA. Anywhere else I don't know. Anyways...Idling a vehicle for a short period will not damage anything...say arbitrarily 3-5 minutes at a time. But with that said; prolonged idling may cause valve burn, and excessive carbon build-up over time...So in short, it's probably safer to not idle too long, but if in the situation, a blip of the throttle once in a while will help.

_3

I meant how hard is it on the engine to start and stop it.

[Flagrum_3]

I meant how hard is it on the engine to start and stop it.

Maybe you should word your questions a little more precisely next time, but anywhoo, starting/ stopping has no effect on the engine itself but done excessively, it does on the starter motor and not to mention draining the battery.

_3

[Reddie1337]

I have decided today, after filling up after over 400K that the mileage with Shell gas wasn't any better, but it wasn't that much worse. I got 11.0L/100KM on Shell gas, when I average under 11L/100KM with Petro-Canada gas. So I think I will just stick with Petro because I also get to save 2cents a litre, and I get the same mileage. I think sea-foam, and different cleaners, should clean it up. I don't think my car was maintained well before I got it.

[ronphan]

The Loblaws gas station at Victoria Park and Gerrad is always 3-4 cents cheaper, and gives me roughly the same mileage as the esso's and petro canada that I used to go to when gas was a lil cheaper. BTW went to Niagara Falls and filled the gas there, and surprisingly it gave me the highest estimated mileage at 688km.

[Bosshammy]

i use ultramart, have a savings card ... that couple sents off helps right now when its 1.42 p/l

[alhope34]

I prefer gas that makes my car run. There are so many mileage variables over one full tank of gas that saying one place gives better mileage than another is moot. Plus like what was put on the first page, it's all the same crap anyway. I just don't go to small places, I always go to a larger brand station in the hopes they do not dilute water into the tanks and they they do not have old rusty tanks that will clog my fuel filters.

[dentinger]

I prefer gas that makes my car run. There are so many mileage variables over one full tank of gas that saying one place gives better mileage than another is moot. Plus like what was put on the first page, it's all the same crap anyway. I just don't go to small places, I always go to a larger brand station in the hopes they do not dilute water into the tanks and they they do not have old rusty tanks that will clog my fuel filters.

seriously,

/thread.

[Kessly Snipes]

I prefer gas that makes my car run. There are so many mileage variables over one full tank of gas that saying one place gives better mileage than another is moot. Plus like what was put on the first page, it's all the same crap anyway. I just don't go to small places, I always go to a larger brand station in the hopes they do not dilute water into the tanks and they they do not have old rusty tanks that will clog my fuel filters.


What is this?? Common sense and logic. Not here you don't!!

GTFO!!!



:chuckle