[tomtom11]

hello, i dont want to start a debate on whether paying extra for brand name fuel makes a difference nor do i want to start a debate on whether using premium fuel makes a difference. what i want to know is if i go to a shell gas station and fill up with vpower 93 and then go to a different shell and fill up with vpower 93 are these identical fuels? the reason i am asking this question is because for the past year or so i have been going to the same shell station by my house, but recently i filled up with a tank of vpower 93 at a station near where i work and it feels as though the car is not as smooth. is this just in my head, or can the two shell stations have different 93 octane vpower? thanks

[tc535i]

Originally Posted by tomtom11

hello, i dont want to start a debate on whether paying extra for brand name fuel makes a difference nor do i want to start a debate on whether using premium fuel makes a difference. what i want to know is if i go to a shell gas station and fill up with vpower 93 and then go to a different shell and fill up with vpower 93 are these identical fuels? the reason i am asking this question is because for the past year or so i have been going to the same shell station by my house, but recently i filled up with a tank of vpower 93 at a station near where i work and it feels as though the car is not as smooth. is this just in my head, or can the two shell stations have different 93 octane vpower? thanks

they both get their gas from the same refinery, but busier stations and stations in high income neighborhoods will have "fresher" premium gas, which can make a difference

[Meeni]

Dirty reservoirs can also be a factor. With E10 fuel, water contamination is a big deal, because E10 fuel mixes with water (unlike pure gas that layers on top of water).

Some shady stations are also over-mixing ethanol, up to E20 in some cases, which can cause issues on pre-2010 vehicles.

[tomtom11]

thats very interesting information. both are nice looking stations in nice areas with a decent amount of cars coming in to get fuel. maybe it is a dirty reservoir. thats interesting.

[UncleWede]

How much less per gallon is the gas at the one that seems to underperform?

[oogabooga]

Originally Posted by Meeni

Some shady stations are also over-mixing ethanol, up to E20 in some cases, which can cause issues on pre-2010 vehicles.

wait, could you please explain why pre-2010 vehicles might have more problems with higher concentrations of ethanol?
Also, OP, i've wondered the same thing about the consistency of the quality of the Shell stations I've been to also!

[Meeni]

Not designed for it from the factory. E10 is pretty much designed for since the end of the 90's, but E20 has not been until very recently.

[bmwsinceday1]

Originally Posted by Meeni

Dirty reservoirs can also be a factor. With E10 fuel, water contamination is a big deal, because E10 fuel mixes with water (unlike pure gas that layers on top of water).

Some shady stations are also over-mixing ethanol, up to E20 in some cases, which can cause issues on pre-2010 vehicles.

"shady gas station"? LOL!! So, is this a mom/pop operation where maybe, after getting a delivery from an 18 wheel fuel tanker which pumps massive volumes of gas into moms/pops tank under ground, after dark, mom and pop come out wheeling a few 55 gallon drums of ethanol, and tip the drums into the tank underground=- the cost of which has been borne by them. hmmm, its doable, I suppose. AND, somehow, they profit big time for "diluting" the gas from the tanker.

Absurd.

[bmwsinceday1]

Originally Posted by tc535i

they both get their gas from the same refinery, but busier stations and stations in high income neighborhoods will have "fresher" premium gas, which can make a difference

Right- but I wouldnt call a station's gas old just cuz it sits for an extra 3 days before turning over the inventory, compared to another station across the street. Old is 4-6 months.

[tc535i]

Originally Posted by bmwsinceday1

Right- but I wouldnt call a station's gas old just cuz it sits for an extra 3 days before turning over the inventory, compared to another station across the street. Old is 4-6 months.

Correct. I'm referring to the station in the 'hood, where nobody ever uses the Premium pump, etc.

[tomtom11]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

How much less per gallon is the gas at the one that seems to underperform?

pretty much the same price

[4doorbmwpower]

hmmmm. I like to think that they are the same Regionally however they do have different gas in say florida than they do in texas and obviously in cali. The STATE can impose regulations and ordinances that change the contents of your fuels. Specifically why some areas you can get 104 at the pump and other places that would be completely illegal. the "Additives" and diluting also are closely regulated. So yes it is possible. that close together though they probably are filled by the same truck.

i hope this helps