Brands of Gas?
#21
RE: Brands of Gas?
Almost 2 decades ago, not long after manufacturers were forced to abandon carburetors in favor of fuel injectionand more highly engineered engines in the pursuit of federally mandated CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) and EPA standards, the automobile industry began to have pervasive problems with engine performance and drivability. Their customers were having significant issues with deposits collecting on fuel injector pintles, the back side of intake valves, and cylinder heads. Often the engines had to be torn apart to be cleaned and in some cases sandblasted (using soft media like walnut shells) to remove these deposits. Manufacturers pointed the finger at the oil companies, who pointed the finger right back at the automobile manufacturers.
BMW knowing it was the gas and seeking to reduce their liability, created a pass/fail test to determine if a particular brand was acceptable for use in their automobiles. If you used a non-approved gas, they would no longer cover repairs under warranty, which forced their owners to purchase only higher quality gas. This was a bold, but brilliant move on BMW's part and those standards were adopted by other manufacturers, and forced oil companies into compliance with the test. For the most part the issue was solved with the inclusion of a quality additive package. Chevron happened to manufacture one of the best additive packages available both then and now (Techroline/Techron), so most simply purchased a more generic version from Chevron for their fuel. Initially the detergent additives were most frequently found in the higher margin premium grades, but ultimately filtered down into lower octane gasolines. The Top Tier designation is simply the evolution of what was begun by BMW now joined by GM, Honda, and Toyota, in an effort to force the oil companies to continue to raise the bar. So yes, Virginia, there is a difference.
BMW knowing it was the gas and seeking to reduce their liability, created a pass/fail test to determine if a particular brand was acceptable for use in their automobiles. If you used a non-approved gas, they would no longer cover repairs under warranty, which forced their owners to purchase only higher quality gas. This was a bold, but brilliant move on BMW's part and those standards were adopted by other manufacturers, and forced oil companies into compliance with the test. For the most part the issue was solved with the inclusion of a quality additive package. Chevron happened to manufacture one of the best additive packages available both then and now (Techroline/Techron), so most simply purchased a more generic version from Chevron for their fuel. Initially the detergent additives were most frequently found in the higher margin premium grades, but ultimately filtered down into lower octane gasolines. The Top Tier designation is simply the evolution of what was begun by BMW now joined by GM, Honda, and Toyota, in an effort to force the oil companies to continue to raise the bar. So yes, Virginia, there is a difference.
#22
RE: Brands of Gas?
ORIGINAL: jigray3
Almost 2 decades ago, not long after manufacturers were forced to abandon carburetors
Almost 2 decades ago, not long after manufacturers were forced to abandon carburetors
Dave
#23
RE: Brands of Gas?
ORIGINAL: geotrash
One of the greatest transformations in the history of the automobile, IMHO. The fuel injection systems of today are far superior to the carburetors they replaced in every way.
Dave
ORIGINAL: jigray3
Almost 2 decades ago, not long after manufacturers were forced to abandon carburetors
Almost 2 decades ago, not long after manufacturers were forced to abandon carburetors
Dave
#24
#25
#26
RE: Brands of Gas?
ORIGINAL: Spike555
The nice thing about mechanical injectors though is no electricity is needed. So you can still drive with no battery or alternator.
And as a truck driver mechanical injectors are preffered over electric.
The nice thing about mechanical injectors though is no electricity is needed. So you can still drive with no battery or alternator.
And as a truck driver mechanical injectors are preffered over electric.
#27
#28
#29
#30
RE: Brands of Gas?
ORIGINAL: jigray3
Not the octane, probably one of the other variables... additive package in the fuel, ambient temperature, altitude, humidity, etc. Car and driver published a study several years ago and found that different octane ratings yielded the same MPG.
Not the octane, probably one of the other variables... additive package in the fuel, ambient temperature, altitude, humidity, etc. Car and driver published a study several years ago and found that different octane ratings yielded the same MPG.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Twistid
Discovery II
15
12-19-2012 07:51 PM
rvrguy
Retired - Private For Sale/Trade Classifieds
1
05-23-2011 01:24 AM