!!All Gas is not equal!!

[280~Master]

So I went out and bought a used inferno red 07 PT cruiser the other day. Pics coming soon. Got a really great deal on it from a friend. I do love it. trying to save gas from the bigger SUV we had.

Anyway the 07 Cruiser has a gas scanner in it. Tells me how many miles are left in the tank and average MPG. The dealer gave us a gas ticket for a BP station up the road. Filled up and ended getting 18 to 20 mpg from 87 octain gas. We needed more gas the other day and went to the wal-mart and placed 40.00 dollars in it. Now my scanner is saying we are getting 12 to 15 mpg. I know I can't judge the mpg's off of just one fill up but have any of you ever noticed a difference in your mpg's from gas station to gas station?

[doradox]

You need to use the average MPG setting and make sure you get more than a few miles on that tank before you pass judgment. My wife's Suburban gets markedly better mileage once it's fully warmed up 10-15 miles. If I just check it after a cold start it will show 2-3 MPG less than after it's had time to warm up. I've never noticed any difference in gas mileage from tank to tank. At least within the margin of error created by different driving conditions.

Here's a link to some info on where gasoline comes from

http://www.eia.doe.gov/bookshelf/brochures/gasoline/index.html

You will probably be surprised to learn that the EXXON, Shell, whatever, brand of gas may not be produced by EXXON, Shell, whatever. It's a mix and match game with supply agreements between all the oil companies and refiners. Once the additive package is added at the terminal it becomes "Shell" gas.

Steve

Edited September 2, 2008 by doradox
spelling added link

[Arne]

If the BP station sells real gas and the Walmart sells E10, there could easily be a noticeable difference, although maybe not as much as you have noticed. E10 is now mandated here in Oregon, and my 240Z's mileage has dropped a good 5% over the last 5-6 tanks since the change. Some cars seem to be more able to use E10 without the loss. The Datsun doesn't like it, and my son's '91 16v Jetta also dropped a similar amount. But I've noticed no measurable difference in either my motorcycle (BMW K75) or our '96 328i.

[tstewart]

You will probably be surprised to learn that the EXXON, Shell, whatever, brand of gas may not be produced by EXXON, Shell, whatever. It's a mix and match game with supply agreements between all the oil companies and refiners. Once the additive package is added at the terminal it becomes "Shell" gas.

Absolutely true. I work at a large refinery in the southeast and trucks pull in all day long, fill up at the marketing terminal, add their additives. The additives then become the only distinction among the brands.

-Tony