Quote:
Originally posted by infael@Jan 15th 2004 @ 12:02 PM
I've seen people say Exxon and Shell are the best.
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infael
The "big names" have a few advantages, but most gas is pretty much the same when it is poured into the truck that carries it to the station. There are only about three main distributors in the country, and all stations pull from them. It is nearly all the same stuff.
Where places differ though is in the small things. Fuel additives may be added after the well, and there are things like filling frequency that matter - a station with a low tank fill (their main tank, not yours!) frequency may not be as clean as one with a higher fill rate - which means, stations that sell more gas generally have a main tank that is "fresher". Lousy term, but it gets the point across.
Another issue arrives on that though - one of water contamination. A freshly filled dealer tank may have more water content... and more "crud" - which hopefully is filtered out before getting to you...
Add to that the apparent octane increase at higher altitude (I think you qualify!) and you get just all sorts of variables in a tank of gas that may be pretty much "just the same" as any other tank of gas....
But - don't trust that guage! You probably already know that, but the guage and the tank are somewhat variable, it seems. If you want REAL mileage numbers, calculate them yourself based on your fills - and keep a running total - the average over time will be the best indicator.
I am not anticipating high numbers until the warm weather returns. I am turning averages on the display between 42 and 45 now. I hope to be higher later in the year!
Jack