are all gasoline brands the same? reed (ctsvett) as researched on the internet
TRANSCRIPT
Are all Gasoline Brands the Same?
Reed (CTSVETT)
As researched on the internet
Exec Summary
• According to gasoline distributors, all gas is almost identical: it is a commodity and traded as such
• Difference is in the additives that different manufacturers put in the gas
• Additives (or detergents) help keep the injectors/ intakes/ valves clean
• Level or station quality is also an issue• Cheaper gas usually means cheaper additive
and less ability to keep your fuel system clean
All Gas IS the same!
• The distribution of Gas occurs on a mass scale through national pipelines.
• All gas flows through common pipelines in the US to the distributors.
• All of this gas must meet the minimum Federal gas quality requirement
• In most cases, various brands actually are pumped from the same distributor
• “Base gas is a freely traded commodity that must meet certain government specifications. It flows through common pipelines into commingled storage tanks”
Gas DOES differ by region
• For emissions reason, there is a different formulation of “base” gas by region.
But it is different
• Gas Differs in the additives that are put into the gasoline.
• At the point of distribution (where the gas flows into the truck) different brands add different additives– Techron, Cleantech, etc– At a rate of “measured squirt” to 40 gallons
• “The major brands spend R-and-D money on patented additives, which they add to the basic gas”
What do the additives do
• Chevron- Techron (most expensive additive)
– “keeps combustion chambers free of deposits while "some of" its competitors' additives will increase these deposits”
• Additives are patented formulations of chemicals intended to keep Valves, Intakes, and Injectors clean– Prevent build-up of varnish– Keep car operating as designed
• Goal of additives “forming less deposits when the gasoline burns, for better mileage, performance and exhaust emissions”
What the additives are:
• octane-enhancing additives ( improve octane ratings ) • anti-oxidants ( inhibit gum formation, improve stability ) • metal deactivators ( inhibit gum formation, improve
stability ) • deposit modifiers ( reduce deposits, spark-plug fouling
and preignition ) • surfactants ( prevent icing, improve vaporisation, inhibit
deposits, reduce NOx emissions ) • freezing point depressants ( prevent icing ) • corrosion inhibitors ( prevent gasoline corroding storage
tanks ) • dyes ( product colour for safety or regulatory purposes ).
Clogged injectors based on type of injectors
• Early Bosch style most prone to clogging– Used until 1989
• In 1989 GM introduced the “Multec” injector– Ball style spray valve – Less prone to clogging
• Injector has very small orifice– Very little residue can clog injectors
• Goal is to keep orifice clean and promote “Cone shaped” spray pattern for best combustion
What happens if the injector is Clogged
• When injector is clogged, Gas tends to “stream” versus “Spray”
• This causes the combustion to be less efficient– Loss of fuel economy– Poor performance (stuttering/loss of
acceleration)
• Goal is a “Cone shaped Spray” for maximum efficiency
How to keep injectors Clean
• Using fuel tank additives (one bottle/tank)– Expensive– Harsh on other parts of the engine
• Ritual Cleaning of injectors– Very expensive (requires removing the injector from the car and
cleaning)
• New Injectors– Up to $100 each (x the number of cylinders you have: example:
$800 + labor for a V8)
• Using Fuel additives (techron, etc) that promote cleaning injectors.– Usually a few cents more per gallon– Continually clean the system– No extra effort
Quality of Pumping Station also an Issue
• When gas is dispensed at pump, it is run through filters
• Some stations use single filters others use double
• The more filtration the better because it removes impurities from the fuel before it enters your car
• Cheaper stations do not change the filter as often or use single filtration
Which stations Cheat on you?
• Some stations also cheat– Sell you 87/89 instead of 91– Improperly charge in contradiction to what the price is marked
• Survey paramters:– 875 stations surveyed out of population of over 10,000 stations– Mixed branded (Exxon, Mobil, Chevron,etc) versus independent stations
• Results of survey:– Branded stations have a .4% higher overall compliance– Independent stations had a .47% higher chance of charging you more
than marked– Independent’s had a 10% higher storage tank violation- leads to dirtier
gasoline
• Bottom Line: DON’T USE INDEPENTENTS!
Source: Department of measurement standards: California
So, why not Arco?
• “Most suppliers of quality Gasolines will formulate similar additives into their products, and cheaper product lines are less likely to have such additives added”
• This meansCheaper gas: cheaper additive
Summary
• This does not mean spend more on gas, it merely explains why Arco/wal-mart/etc (cheaper brands of gas) causes engine problems later in the cars life or can cause engine issues
• However, if you plan to clean your fuel system often or are willing to pay later, use the cheap gas now.
• Personally: I would rather spend a few cents more a gallon now, than deal with expensive problems later down the road!
• Bottom line: YOU DECIDE!!!
References• What Arco Says (marketing at its finest)
– http://www.arco.com/gas/faqs.html• What Chevron has to say:
– http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuels/techrongas/faq.shtml• The nitty gritty of Gaoline Composition
– http://www.faqs.org/faqs/autos/gasoline-faq/part2/preamble.html• The Dept of Measures Survey
– http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/dms/pdfs/P-01-2.pdf• Articles:
– http://www.jsonline.com/wheels/peak/feb03/119491.asp?format=print– http://www.nctimes.com/news/2001/20011223/61014.html
• What damage it causes from Yahoo Auto Repair– http://autos.yahoo.com/repair/results/ques076.html