Let's talk gasoline! (Refined oil thread...)

I've generally only put Shell Super Unleaded in my car since I've bought it (depending on availability) but noticed that CostCo now considers their gasoline to be "Top Tier" as well while advertising it contains 5x the required detergents etc, whatever that all means, if anything. We've been using it in our other cars without issue, what do y'all think of putting in the Porsche? Our CostCo happens to be closer to us than any other station and the price is better as well although that's not a biggie in the overall scheme of things.

It it's "top tier", it's refined by one of the big name "top tier" refineries, and Costco has it delivered in an unbranded tanker. Cost, and the "freshness" of the product are plusses when buying from Costco. And if you had a failure you could attribute to poor gas, I would anticipate that Costco would be more accommodating with their resolution than the local gas station would be. The only thing you're giving up is the knowledge of the refiner.

I run Costco and Vons/Safeway gas and have no problems at all in both my 998 and 986 as well as our other cars Both Costco and Vons/Safeway do a very high volume and are not buying what's left in a tanker

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Well, with 5x the required detergents that means there is less actual gas in a gallon of gasoline. I mean I doubt 5x the detergents is going to bring anything of any value to the table -- it is not like other top tier gasolines don't do a good job of keep the fuel system clean and the engine free of deposits -- so what's the point of 5x the cleaning power? Also, I'd be a bit apprehensive about that much cleaning. I'd be concerned about possibly eroding the fuel injector tips, for instance. I'd give it a miss for 5x detergent alone. However, if it is of the proper octane grade and you want to try it, try some. If the engine doesn't react negatively to the stuff then I guess if you want to continue to use it the engine then I guess that's up to you.

What about Arco? They claim to be top tier, and there's millions of them around.

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What about Ethanol free gas. I run a tank full of it every other two fill ups or so and when I can find it on road trips. I seem to get better gas mileage too.

I use Costco gas for my commuters but for the P-cars I use Chevron because it's ethanol free. But I sometimes wonder what are the negative consequences of ethanol in gas.

I don't think Chevron is ethanal free, especially in California. If I am wrong and this is true I will only use Chevron in all my cars and bikes from now on.

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By law, they have to display if the gas has ethanol. The ones I go to do not display that their gas has up to 10% ethanol, so I figured it doesn't have it. Or it does but it's lower?

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Don't know about where you are but here in CA Arco stations only accept cash or debit. For a debit transaction there is a pretty hefty service charge which the last time I looked -- years ago things may be different -- really didn't make the gas any cheaper. Besides I never use a debit card. And cash is inconvenient. So I never got in the habit of using Arco. Since I don't use the station I never bothered to do any research on its gasoline.

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Ethanol free is good if you can find it and don't have to pay a premium for it. Your car should get better gas mileage as the ethanol has fewer BTUs than gasoline and requires a slightly richer mixture too boot. Why not run it 100% of the time? I would if I had that option.

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Both my Boxster and my Turbo have burned a lot of ethanol treated gasoline with no obvious negative consequences. For instance even at 290K+ miles the Boxster injectors are original. One would think if there was any real negative aspect to gasoline treated with ethanol it would show up at the injectors and their tips. The un-obvious consequence, which still upsets me no end, is gas mileage suffers so the "eco" aspect of ethanol is muted by the fact it requires the engine burn more fuel to do the same amount of work. The growing of the corn used in ethanol production is "dirty" in the eco sense and earmarking corn for ethanol production drives up the cost of food just adds insult to injury. Stupid politicians and their kowtowing to the agri-business lobby.

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Rubik, Unfortunately the law varies by state - some states are not required to display gas has ethanol, and one such state includes California Here's a link if interested of the laws for posting for every state Ethanol posting laws And for a directory of ethanol free gas stations by state here's another link Ethanol free by State Looks like moving to Alaska is the right choice for Ethanol free gas all over... And just coming back from a biz trip there this week, that's one place I wouldn't mind moving to if only Porsche made snowmobiles...

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Well... Sh*t!!!

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Was about to post the same thing. Here's a quote from the same page, in case you CA folks who don't have postings are assuming the gas is ethanol-free: "Over 90% of all gas sold at public gas stations now contains ethanol alcohol. E10 gas has become the "conventional" fuel and ethanol-free gas is now a "specialty" fuel. " Strains of corn are being engineered with the ASSUMPTION that they will be used for fuel, not food...the down side is that some of the patented strains produce starch that requires chemical and mechanical processing before it's edible or usable as a fuel source. There are fields of corn being grown that is, as it comes off the stalk, completely inedible. I'm not entirely sure this is the right direction.

Many counties and cities such as Los Angeles may even have stricter rules than others. Here in Las Vegas I can buy 100 octane without ethanal at the pump but it is expensive and not available everywhere. I use an additive called ACES IV gasoline formula. Its an octane booster but the main reason I use it is its also an upper cylinder lubricant and fuel stabilizer with a detergent. I been using it for 4 years. If you goggle it you can find out much info about it. I already know that many will think its a waste of money but its my money and its one of the things I like wasting it on.

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You want to waste money visit one the casinos in LV. ACES IV Ingredients: Aromatic Petroleum Solvent: CAS# 68477-31-6; % (weight) 40 to 70%. Details: It is the complex combination of hydrocarbons from the distillation of catalytic reformer fractionation residue. Essentially it is what is left over after oil is refined into other things. It is used in herbicides, insecticides, and solvents. A solvent is not what you add to your gasoline as this of course dissolves the oil film. So anywhere from 40% to 70% of this additive is a solvent. Hydrocarbon Wax/Paraffin Wax: CAS# 8002-74-2; % (weight) 15 to 40%. Details: Wax. 15% to 40% of the additive consists of a wax, what is removed from the oil in making gasoline. You add it back. Toluene: CAS# 108-88-3; % (weight) < 1%. You can read about toluene here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toluene This is nasty stuff. Can enter lungs and cause damage. Harmful if inhaled. Can cause headache, nausea, and other central nervous system effects. May cause skin irritation. Essentially you are adding back into the gasoline what was removed during the refining process and paying a pretty penny I suspect for the privilege. Change that oil often as it will get loaded with solvent and waxes. Avoid contact with the old oil as there will be some toluene in it and that is not something with which you want come into contact.

I've used mostly Chevron for years. I retired recently, but up until the last 2 years , I drove about 40,000 miles per year on my daily driver. The last 3 DD's were all American cars(2 V8's and a straight 6). 250,000 on one,190,000 on another and currently 80,000 on the DD I still own. I think Techron in the gas and regular oil changes are the key. All had strong good running engines when they were traded in . Alan

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Macster, I used gasoline to wash tools and parts for many many years, I worked at a Standard Oil station in the fifties when gasoline in my opinion was just fine. I rolled Mercury around in my hands and then put dimes in it to make them shine, the dentist used to give it to us besides putting it in cavities. Today they will shut down a school if a kid has some and surround it with yellow tape. I owned semi trucks from 1966 on and used to drain the oil on my acre, all 44 quarts of it. Bushes and weeds grew right back up through it as if it was plant food. Today if oil spills out of my truck even 5 gallons HAZ MAT comes out in special suits and cordons off the area and charges me thousands of dolllars. I don't believe in global warming or second hand smoke. If i'm adding stuff the government has made manufacturers take out of gasoline back into it than I am indeed happy. I do change the oil often on the Porsche because I like the damn thing and want it to stay good for as long as possible. In any case I hate being forced to run corn in my gasoline, and oil that doesn't have much zinc or phosphor in my crankcase. I'll still buy the damn ACES stuff cause the government took it out so now I have to pay if I want back in.

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When in corn fields, we used to grab a couple of corns for barbecuing later....Can't even f**king do that without fear of ingesting some genetically mutilated sh*t anymore. What is this world coming to?!

Only time I am super picky about fuel is in the race car or racing kart. When you are holding your foot flat down for an entire tank of fuel spinning 14,000 RPM ya better have clean fuel of the proper octane and jetted on the dot. Cars now days can pretty much burn anything except water. So I tend to go to the cheapest place with the highest turn over.

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I'm not sure I'd go for that with every tank, but may not be a bad idea now and then. Although being from MN I like seafoam better. Forgot which one I bought once, but the motorcycle was knocking and ran some boost through it to try and figure out if gas was the issue. It wasn't really expensive, although also it didn't solve my problem really.

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Let's not forget about asbestos which people use to be around that all the time when changing brake pads on a daily basis back in the day or when old school electricians used to handle that stuff doing old wiring. I've known a few people that's been in these trades for a long time and let's just say they're still doing fine while some of their friends that's had desk jobs have already passed away from various disorders/diseases. Now companies charge thousands to remediate that stuff no matter how small the trace. Bottom line, if you're going to die, you're going to die. Same as your 996, if it's going to die, it's going to die no matter what you do.

Gasoline and politics...now there's a volatile mix for debate. Will we stop at nothing...nothing??!!?? FWIW I hate ethanol in my gas, politicians in my fuel tank. I would vote for anyone that would repeal this stupid mandate. Now, the marina's down here don't sell gas w/ethanol. Eats the crap out of fiberglass and boat stuff. There is one oil company distributor that has one pump with regular gas/no ethanol. There is always of line of people, motorcycles, etc. and cost is like $5/gallon. Go figure...they don't put something in it and charge more for it. Kinda like laundry detergent, you pay more for unscented when it should cost less! America business 101.

Alpine, I have always been in the construction industry. We used to be in the demolition business in Los Angeles. We demolished hundreds of homes and most every one had asbestos, all of them had leaded paint, we never wore a mask and we handled the stuff for many years. We were amazed when the enviros started to make laws against all that stuff. We didn't have helmets when we rode our bicycles, or later on our motorcycles. We didn't have seatbelts but we didn't have cell phones and since the brakes weren't very good we payed attention when we drove. Diesel fuel had oil in it. Low octane was 93. People still liked people even if they smoked. Fireplaces were in every home. I could buy a gun and a box of 22's at Sears and Roebuck at 14 years old (what ever happened to Roebuck) and there were no drive by shootings or mass school killings. Global warming was just called a "nice day". You could tell how good your engine was running by the color of the tailpipe, the tailpipe on my Ford Ranger looks cleaner than my dishes with 70000 miles on it. I'm 73 and used to smoke Camels without filters for 20 years but quit 20 years ago, love meat, used to drink and do drugs, today I feel great. I'm going out to the garage now and add some more additive to my gasoline.

I haven't bought gas at the Marathon station which according to the list sells ethanol free gas but my wife has for her IS250 and I could tell a difference. I drove her car and it seemed a little more responsive and seemed to run smoother. I asked her where she filled the tank and she said the Marathon station. I was like, why in the world didn't you go to Shell or BP? She said the light came on and it was the only gas station around. I didn't put 2&2 together until I read the listing of ethanol free stations and that station was on the list. I see there is also an oil distributor in Wake Forest which sells ethanol free, I will have to give them a try.

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Actually the government didn't take that stuff out, the stuff was removed as part of the refining process. For instance, Toluene is so inexpensively produced industrially that it is not prepared in the laboratory. It would appear a company has found a way to sell stuff that would otherwise have to be disposed off by putting it in a can and selling it as some magic engine elixir. If I were you I'd not be too proud of the fact you dumped oil onto the ground. Thank goodness we all don't do that or the country side would resemble that in zombie apocalypse movies or the Mad Max movies. As a kid and teenager I also used gasoline to clean parts, leaded gasoline. Thankfully I stopped before it (I hope) affected me and before obviously I had an accident and set the garage or house afire or myself. And I too smoked though I quit at 20 years old. Even though I managed to avoid any apparent harm from using gasoline and smoking, I would never ever advise anyone to use gasoline for cleaning parts, or ever take up smoking. I am a bit intolerant of people who by accident avoid serious consequences of their less than intelligent choices yet would recommend these choices to others with the assumption they'll experience the same good luck and avoid any serious consequences. And last but not least I find it strange I guess is the word that people who profess to like their car so much tend to be the ones to add stuff that is more likely to cause the engine harm over time.

The negatives of using ethanol fuel: �Very modest gas mileage. The cars that are filled with higher ethanol gas mixtures get significantly worse gas mileage compared to cars that are fueled with pure gasoline. The current analyses showed that E85 lessens fuel economy up to 30 percent. What this means is that the gas mixtures with 10-15 percent ethanol will likely lead to about a three percent decrease in fuel economy. �Negative effect on car's fuel tank. Another negative of using ethanol fuel mixtures involves the potential long-term effects it might have on a vehicle's fuel tank. Ethanol is alcohol and alcohol has the ability to break down seals and cause damage to engines, meaning that filling up your tank with ethanol mixtures, especially older car model, could lead to a significantly decreased lifespan of your vehicle. �Agricultural and social effects: The increased ethanol production could have devastating effect on the agricultural industry. If more crops are grown to purpose of harvesting for ethanol, this will disrupt the balance between that and harvesting crops for food, likely leading to even more hunger in the world. Making ethanol from food crops such as corn is therefore not only agricultural but also social issue, meaning that ethanol producers should focus more on producing ethanol from non-food crops or algae. I only stop at the Chevron where its 94 octane with no ethanol

Based on your feedback, I decided to pump at Costco yesterday and saved my extra five bucks that I used to drop at Chevron in the assumption that their gas is ethanol free. Thank you!

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I guess we just disagree. I wonder how you're so sure my choices have been less than intelligent and wonder why you think I recommended them to anyone. I just state what I do and why. I DONT THINK LEADED GAS IS BAD maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong its just my opinion, it won't change anything. I've seen things you've said on this board that I don't agree with and I realize its your opinion and it really doesn't matter wether I agree with it or not. Sorry about you being intolerant, you'll probably get over it.

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The fact that leaded gas is bad isn't an opinion. And asbestos does cause cancer. Dismissing facts as "someone's opinion" just because they haven't impacted you personally is both naive and dangerous. My father died from mesothelioma 5 years ago. He knew it was coming long before that since he was an insulator that worked heavily with asbestos.

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JD, Macster's posts are almost always based upon facts. Facts are not opinions. It is common to disagree about opinions, but by definition a fact is incontrovertible with no possibility of disagreement. Almost always, facts are a more safe thing to trust and believe in than someone's opinion. I think I understand where you are coming from because I sometimes do certain things and use products that I know full well have been proven wrong, barely effective, or even completely ineffective by testing and research. It's not logical, but I continue to do them anyhow. I get it. But, it seems unwise to argue against facts using only opinions or even anecdotal evidence.

At work we refer to motorcyclists without helmets as "donorcyclists". Good for the organ donation business. So if you are going to ride without a helmet just make sure you are an organ donor.

Well, I filled up with ethanol free gas this weekend. It was $3.60 a gallon. The Pcar seems to have a little more pep as for gas mileage, well, I haven't been able to keep my foot off pedal so I don't think I will get good mileage this tank. I have to drove to Va next month and will see what I get on the the trip.