Which gasoline brands are better? and does anyone know which one Audi recommends?

3900 Views 22 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Kevins350z, Dec 31, 2010

IChibans

Discussion Starter · Jun 19, 2008

According to this report there is an difference in gas.

Yes. The above specifications are intended to ensure minimal quality
standards are maintained, however as well as the fuel hydrocarbons, the
manufacturers add their own special ingredients to provide additional
benefits. A quality gasoline additive package would include:-
* 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 ).

http://faqs.cs.uu.nl/na-dir/autos/gasoline-faq/part2.html

but the question is which Brands are better

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

Quickag

· #2 · Jun 19, 2008

I started to read this report...

...but, as I got deeper into it, I realized which gasoline brands are better for me:

The gas stations which are closer and have the lowest prices. It is that simple. I always burn 91 or 93 octane. Never had a problem except with Citgo's political stance.

Rab88

· #3 · Jun 19, 2008

IChibans, could you update your profile with your location please.

If you're in Europe, then Audi recommends Shell V-Power - they use a v-power variant called LM24 in the le-mans vehicles.

I'm not sure if you guys have Shell filling stations in the U.S?

JSC

· #4 · Jun 19, 2008

IChibans said:
According to this report there is an difference in gas.

...

but the question is which Brands are better

I just received this card from Audi (Canada) listing the sources of "top Tier" gas that Audi is recommending. I don't recognize many of them, but assume this list covers North America, but I am not sure.

See less See more

TXcarguy

· #5 · Jun 20, 2008

JSC said:
..., but assume this list covers North America, but I am not sure.

Yep, it does. I got the same card.

aerodave

· #6 · Jun 20, 2008

The only issue I have with TOP TIER is that it's not an exhaustive list of all gasolines that are good for your car. It's a list of retailers who have ponied up the cash to the automakers to get on the list. Exxon/Mobil claim that they exceed the detergent standards for TOP TIER, but don't care to be a part of the program because it's gimmicky. I can't blame them. How many people—even owners of cars whose makers recomment TOP TIER—have ever heard of the standard? If the customer recongition and demand is not there, you can't blame an oil company for deciding it's not worth the price of admission. If enough people started going to the Shell across the street because that's what their owner's manual told them to do, you can guarantee that Exxon/Mobil would certify their gasoline in a heartbeat.

drjer1

· #7 · Jun 20, 2008

JSC-Thanks for the link on "top tier gasoline". I always wondered if there was really a difference in additives and this answers my question. The current list adds some additional brands including Texaco and a couple I have never heard of. "The Fridge" (08 S5, Ibis White, loaded) just finished a 5800 mile road trip and I did notice some subtile (and not so subtile) differences in performance in different parts of the country.

ShadyJC

· #8 · Jun 20, 2008

Costco gas FTW!

number2jcb

· #9 · Jun 20, 2008

As for Exxon/Mobil, who do you trust? The car company that has no allegiance to a oil company, or an oil company...

Either way, in NJ I have to watch out for dirty gas stations that sell you regular when you choose any grade of gas. I have reported two stations already. My last car I had a hunch, but in this car you notice the difference fast, not just in performance, but I was getting 3MPG less than usual.

drjer1

· #10 · Jun 20, 2008

Along the lines of Top Tier Gasolines, why do the same brands have different formulations in different parts of the country? I'm not sure if this is the case elsewhere, but in the U.S., I noticed in the mid-west the highest octane level was 93 but in the far west (Calif. & Nevada), high test is 91 octane. This would be a hint to me that the formulation is different for different markets. Does this mean Shell (for example) is Top Tier certified in all markets or just some markets? How does the % ethanol content affect the certification?

doc7string

· #11 · Jun 20, 2008

drjer1 said:
JSC-Thanks for the link on "top tier gasoline". I always wondered if there was really a difference in additives and this answers my question. The current list adds some additional brands including Texaco and a couple I have never heard of. "The Fridge" (08 S5, Ibis White, loaded) just finished a 5800 mile road trip and I did notice some subtile (and not so subtile) differences in performance in different parts of the country.

There is a very subtle error in your spelling

IChibans

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 20, 2008

Rab88 said:
IChibans, could you update your profile with your location please.

If you're in Europe, then Audi recommends Shell V-Power - they use a v-power variant called LM24 in the le-mans vehicles.

I'm not sure if you guys have Shell filling stations in the U.S?

Thanks just updated.

wrx_xb9r

· #13 · Jun 20, 2008

drjer1 said:
Along the lines of Top Tier Gasolines, why do the same brands have different formulations in different parts of the country? I'm not sure if this is the case elsewhere, but in the U.S., I noticed in the mid-west the highest octane level was 93 but in the far west (Calif. & Nevada), high test is 91 octane. This would be a hint to me that the formulation is different for different markets. Does this mean Shell (for example) is Top Tier certified in all markets or just some markets? How does the % ethanol content affect the certification?

In my market area BP is the best. Why? They do not put ethanol in their fuel.

All Top Tier rated fuels are required to be minimum 10% ethanol. Ethanol produces worse mileage and power than 100% gasoline on an engine designed for 100% gasoline.

If you are using a boosted engine then the tuning can be modified to take advantage of the extra detonation control that ethanol has over gasoline. Otherwise it is not beneficial.

FWIW, I get about 1mpg better when I fill with BP over Shell, QT, Conoco, or Chevron. All are available in my local area.

drjer1

· #14 · Jun 21, 2008

Thanks Doc--actually 2X1errors. Very subtle.

JSC

· #15 · Jun 21, 2008

wrx_xb9r said:
In my market area BP is the best. Why? They do not put ethanol in their fuel.

All Top Tier rated fuels are required to be minimum 10% ethanol. Ethanol produces worse mileage and power than 100% gasoline on an engine designed for 100% gasoline.

If you are using a boosted engine then the tuning can be modified to take advantage of the extra detonation control that ethanol has over gasoline. Otherwise it is not beneficial.

FWIW, I get about 1mpg better when I fill with BP over Shell, QT, Conoco, or Chevron. All are available in my local area.

I think you mean maximum 10%. The top tier spec is 8-10% ethanol.

TDUB26

· #16 · Dec 30, 2010

Update

Just curious...which brands are currently recommended by you guys?

DeMOROlized

· #17 · Dec 30, 2010

number2jcb said:
As for Exxon/Mobil, who do you trust? The car company that has no allegiance to a oil company, or an oil company...

Either way, in NJ I have to watch out for dirty gas stations that sell you regular when you choose any grade of gas. I have reported two stations already. My last car I had a hunch, but in this car you notice the difference fast, not just in performance, but I was getting 3MPG less than usual.

The more appropriate question should be, who do you trust? The car company that was part of a marketing scheme and was paid by the oil companies to promote their gas, or an oil company that refuses to play ball on a marketing scheme...

Me, I trust neither.

There isn't a "better brand" per say. It all depends on a multitude of factors. Some would argue that one the most important factors is how clean is the underground gas tanks of the individual gas stations.

xxup

· #18 · Dec 30, 2010

Interestingly, the Australian maps in the MMI 3G Nav show BP icons, but only the normal bowser icon for the other local brands.. Suggests that either Audi like BP in Australia or the map maker (Sensis) sneaked in the icons as part of an advertising deal without Audi's knowledge.

TTO898

· #19 · Dec 31, 2010

Funny -- the dealer in this area (Atlanta, GA) told me to stay away from BP. Used to pump exclusively BP (93 octane) and it started causing knock sensor problems. Was told that QuikTrip has good fuel (which is a surprise), in addition to Shell/Chevron/Exxon.

Mizo

· #20 · Dec 31, 2010

Audi recommends Shell V Power. It was in an article of quattro quarterly that Audi and Shell work together on R & D

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