diamondcut

Which is cleaner for the engine?

Yumcha

What grade is the Shell?

05_NBP_TL

iTrader: (1)

Shell V-power is 93...Thats what i use

Yumcha

Probably the same, would be my guess.

boogerdood

She'll, it's. top tier classified gas. Manual calls gor this. Real diff? I'm not too sure.

CoachRick

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the 'indie' stations have the required minimum amount of cleaners in their fuel, while Shell, Exxon, Chevron and others(we don't have them all in central Texas) have additional additives that should help keep the fuel system cleaner with regular use. Perhaps I've been mislead by all the advertising, but I stick to Chevron and Shell for 90% of my fuel purchases, regardless of octane level.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

OP probably mentioned Costco gas's octane at 93 and not Shell's because Shell's V-Power might be 91 octane where he lives. If that's the case, 93 > 91 with detergents.

CoachRick

Sure, it's a higher octane, but is that of any consequence IF the vehicle is designed for 'maximum performance' using 91 ? In that case, 93 ISN'T 'better' than 91, IMO. I'd still go for the extra cleaners. Costco is big enough that they might have a consistent supplier of fuel(unlike the non-branded stations who might purchase from various distributors); but I reckon I 'trust' a branded station to carry a more consistent product.

Of course, you could blend the 93 with a well-priced 89 to get the perfect 91 at a potentially lower overall cost.(Sounds like a lot of trouble, but we've heard stranger ) Say you go half a tank of Costco super-duper and half with the Shell 89 on your way home. Keep EVERYbody happy!

AmberB

A few moths back there was a big issue with bad BP gas in the Chicago area. BP stations recalled the fuel, and have been paying for repairs for cars that were damaged. The recall list included Costco stations so at least in the Chicago area BP=Costco.

dcmodels

Top-Tier fuels are supposed to have the same level of cleaners regardless of the octane rating for that same brand. CostCo is NOT a top-tier fuel. - Shell is. Only Top-tier fuels have the *extra* cleaners required to keep your engine clean, according to the car manuf(s) who setup the top-tier system in the first place.

There is a list of current brands on the list, Google TOP TIER.

markAZ

According to the sign at our local Costco, they are are also 'top tier'.

It's mostly a marketing/advertising thing anyway. Unless you buy really really cheap gas it probably doesn't make any difference at all.

dcmodels

I stand corrected - COSTCO WHOLESALE has been added to the *list* since I last looked, although I don't know why its called WHOLESALE.
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

And just why would GM, Toyota, etc. really care about marketing for any gas company? The idea was from the CAR companies, not the GAS companies.

but not looking to argue, just tried to respond to the OP question.

350

iTrader: (4)

The only Shell by me is normally 40-50 cents more for premium vs Sam's Club. Nope, not buying Shell.

ipribadi

IMO engine octane depends on usage and environment. At higher altitudes like CO, high octane is less needed as air pressure is lower thus relatively less likely to cause engine knock.

It also depends on usage which deterimes engine load; high engine load requires higher octane which would be 91 or above depending on the environment. Low engine loads do not require such high octane to operate optimally.

It's like having racing tires vs. standard tires. Under light usage, both cars turn alike; it's only under high stress use do you realize the benefit of the higher performing tire while the standard tire will get the VSA and ABS constantly kicking in.

Back to the thread topic. I really appreciate the link for top tier gas. Good to know Costco is listed.