VWGasGuy--I am a believer in synthetic oil. As for gas, I use the recommended octane from any name brand station. Recently, as you, I have stopped buying gas from Citgo as a direct sponsor of Hugo Chavez's anti-US policy. I believe Valero is also Venezuelan.
I seem to recall a study a few years back that said Chevron's gas was closest to the octane posted at the pump, while many other brands fell 1-2 points below posted.
Finally, from Consumer Reports (
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/d...ine%20quality). I am not sure if you can get to this link if you are not a subscriber.
Gas, "Top Tier"
Q. Reading up on gasoline quality, I've noticed a new standard for gasoline called "Top Tier Detergent Gasoline." Is it worthwhile to seek out gasoline that meets this new standard?
A. First, there is an EPA requirement that all manufacturers of gasoline and cars have agreed on. "Top Tier" appears to be primarily a marketing term. There are requirements to meet "Top Tier," but this does not mean that those who are not top tier do not meet such requirements. The bottom line is, you can safely purchase gasoline from any major brand station because the quality of the gasoline from all of them is very high.