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What Gas Do You Run?

M

mha

GUEST
I bet this is a re-run but I couldn't find the original. Curious what grade of gas you run and if you're loyal to a particular brand.
 
I run 89 octane, no brand in particular, but I do try to get it from the same place.
 
87, usually Shell or Chevron. I figure why run a higher octane when it doesn't call for it, plus it's a waste of money paying more to get another 1-2 mpg. It's of no savings at all, just add it up! :B:
 
87 Octane - from major suppliers - don't trust the no name retailers to keep their delivery systems clean - clogged filters, etc are a pain.

 
87 from Chevron except today, I must have been feeling stupid because I filled it up with 91 from Chevron. Drove 160 miles and noticed no gain in economy or performance.
 
Very faithfully fill up at Amoco with 87 octane.

We lived closer to a Total station but when we used their gas, as soon as the car's tank got low, it started to idle poorly. Ever since then I only go to Amoco. The wife usually puts Mobil 78 in her tank as that is closer to where we live now. Either place has been good to us.

Jamie
 
I've always used 87 octane at whatever station is convenient. The other day I was told that I was wasting money on 87 octane at this altitude (mile high). I was told I would get the same performance from regular gas which I think is 85 octane.
 
I run 87 Octane as specified in owner's manual. Usually Shell due to 5% discount for using a Shell Mastercard. Higher octane gas has additives that cause it to burn more SLOWLY than lower octane. This is why it prevents "spark knock" or pre-ignition, it is actually harder to burn. You will not get increased gas mileage, or more power from higher octane fuel unless your engine has been modified so that it is required. In fact, since it burns more slowly it will often lead to increased deposits and carbon build-up. As a general rule, follow the reccomendations in your owner's manual. The engineers that designed your engine probably know best what to use in it. The only time to go for increased octane ratings is when you are experiencing spark knock. Then you should also probably have the vehicle checked to see why it is knocking on the fuel for which it is designed, (that is unless you have intentionally modified the engine so that it requires higher octane). The oil companies used to advertise in a way that indicated that the higher octane fuels contained more detergents, etc that would help "clean" your engine. This was determined to be misleading and several companies had to pay hefty fines, yet that perception remains. Save your money and use the fuel that your Avalanche was designed for.
 
cheapest stuff I can find! but normally I use Racetrack or better 87 octane.
 
I usually run what the manual states..and in this case Chevy is telling us basically this Vortec powerplant runs fine on 87 octane......

Like Big Don has said previously, if your putting a higher octane fuel in an engine that's designed to run on 87..the fuel doesn't burn the way it should....in the long run your causing more harm than good...especially with carbon deposits etc.....

Look at it this way....save yourself the money...with gas prices on the rise it doesn't make any sense to feed those guys the extra bucks.....

Note the only circumstance that would change this is if you have used a third party programmer like the hypertech unit to change the fuel curve or burn a higher octane fuel......some members have done this.....if you program for super, than run 93 octane....etc... :B:
 
All the stations around here are really big on 85,88,92 octaine, I used to run 92 in my '97 tahoe, and that's what I used to run in the AV until I read a post here some time ago about what gas to run. Since that post (and reading the owners manual) I have been using 88 oct. Amoco or Sinclair, & the truck performs alot better :D :B:

 
Thanks Big Don for educating us. ?I did not know slow burning octane could lead to increase deposits. ?I guess I got caught up with the advertising. ?

I had a 2000 Silverado and one day got caught in the middle of no where and had to choose Arco gas. ?I used their premium gas, but the next day I had pings and knocks. ?So bad, that I had to go to the dealer and have them check it out.

From that point I never used anything less than 91 and only Chevron. ?Based on your research, I'd be willing to try the recommended 87 octane. ?I'm up for saving some money. ?:)
 
I use 87, I just got my first 400 mile tank, about a month since my FIPK and TBS were installed.

I have to disagree with SteveTimm on this. THe off brands is the same gas from the same refineries. I live in Northern Cal, where they refine it, and Arco, and Rotten Robbie is the same gas for Tosco as is Union 76 or Shell. We even deal with the MTBE issues, I can get the same gas for 20 cents cheaper by buying through Arco. Also I will buy gas from Costco, they use BP refined gas. There are only 4 major refinery companies in the US, and just about everyone else gets it from them.

I am 40 mile to the refinery and it costs me an arm and a leg go figure.

dvc
 
Another tip...Go to a gas station that gets lots of business...this way they get plenty of fresh gas and not a lot of time for it to turn to crappola.
 
Big_Don said:
I run 87 Octane as specified in owner's manual. ?Usually Shell due to 5% discount for using a Shell Mastercard. ?Higher octane gas has additives that cause it to burn more SLOWLY than lower octane. ?This is why it prevents "spark knock" or pre-ignition, it is actually harder to burn. ?You will not get increased gas mileage, or more power from higher octane fuel unless your engine has been modified so that it is required. ?In fact, since it burns more slowly it will often lead to increased deposits and carbon build-up. ?As a general rule, follow the reccomendations in your owner's manual. ?The engineers that designed your engine probably know best what to use in it. ?The only time to go for increased octane ratings is when you are experiencing spark knock. ?Then you should also probably have the vehicle checked to see why it is knocking on the fuel for which it is designed, (that is unless you have intentionally modified the engine so that it requires higher octane). ?The oil companies used to advertise in a way that indicated that the higher octane fuels contained more detergents, etc that would help "clean" your engine. ?This was determined to be misleading and several companies had to pay hefty fines, yet that perception remains. ? Save your money and use the fuel that your Avalanche was designed for.
Click to expand...

;D Right on BIG DON! ;D Car and Driver had an article on octane about a year ago. Running the WRONG octane is DETRIMENTAL to the engine, and costs more. You are not giving your "motor" a "treat" like you would a dog! The gas companies love to mislead the consumer into thinking higher octane is better!
 
dvc is right. The refineries up here in NoCal pump alot of it out. I know, I have to deal with ships bringing in the crude oil everyday. :B:
 
(y)Thumbs up to Big Don on his comment. He is right on with what my mechanic and service manager told me. With the problem they are having with the carbon build up causing the piston slapping or ticking on start up, they said i would experience it sooner with running the higher octane because all the gas is not burned and creates more carbon.
i check my mileage religously probably at least twice a week and tried the higher octane and did not notice any improvements,, of course if you tune it with the HPP3 and program it to the higher octane, oh well get out your wallet and pay more........i tuned my to 87 power tuning and am happy with that....
zeeyaaaaaaaaa
 
I alternate between 87 and 89 with no alcohol added whenever possible. I found it burned a little better in my other vehicles so I tried the same system with the AV. I do know that this combination is not detrimental to the vehicle that there will be no significant gains in mileage or performance to speak of as indicated by Big Don. Happy AVing folks. :cool:
 
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