Dranon

I read how bad ethanol is and am wondering. I put only 91 ethanol free in my car and it runs great but someone told me I'm risking my engine by not putting 93 in. Comments?

sasilverbullet

You need to be using Premium, which is usually 93, some states I've seen it 91. You'll get better mileage also using 93.

Oh, and you need to be using a Tier 1 station, I always fill my Porsche's with Chevron. Because of the Techron in it it's the best Tier 1 fuel.

Dranon

91 is premium in most gas stations here in Upstate NY. Sunoco has 93 as does Mobil and Cumberland Farms. No Chevron that I can see.

todcp

Just remember....Octane is Octane. Non-Ethanol at 91 is not 93. So 93 if available for the car to perform its best. The car can adjust to 91 if that is all you have. As noted more important to be sure to use Top Tier fuel. Add Shell to the others above. Shell adds lubricity that I value.
https://www.toptiergas.com/retailers/

LexVan

Buy the highest octane you can find from the busiest national brand store you can find.

todcp

One more thing. Don't fill up when fuel is being delivered to the station. All storage tanks have some water at the bottom of the tank and it can become stirred up when the truck is dumping the fuel in. Water is heavier than gas.
Ask me how I know. Years ago I was a rep for a major oil companies gas stations. Handled the claims and also would "stick" tanks for water during my dealer visits. A good dealer will check for water every time they "stick" measure the amount of gas in the storage tank. The water gets pumped out when it get more than a couple of inches deep.

cds72911

I admit I don't know anything about gas, and probably won't take the time to learn. I like the practical tips you shared like get the 93 octane if it is available, don't fill up while they are filling the tanks, go to a gas station that moves a high volume. Who are the tier 1 gas stations? Are they the major brand names like Exon, Mobil, Shell?

moburki

https://www.toptiergas.com/licensed-brands/

todcp

cds72911

NYoutftr

No Chevron in the Binghamton, NY area either.
The Sunoco Station/ Express Mart, I use all the time just changed yesterday to a Speedway, still have 93 octane. They started popping up around here a couple years ago, primarily buying out Hess Stations.
I haven't used Citgo product in years after learning they were owned by the Venezuelan government.
Most of our Valero Stations don't have 93.

NYoutftr

Wow hereis another arctilce I just googled, it doesn't match.
I wonder how to find out the truth, especially Sunoco not being top tier, see paragraph 4.

https://www.countrymark.com/countrymark/AboutUs/NewsReleases/tabid/169/Post/989/Six-Things-You-Didn-t-Know-about-TOP-TIER-Gasoline

iammacey

First, 93 Octane is recommended and should be ran if available. 91 Octane, however, is fine. Per Porsche, there is the potential for reduced MPG with 91 Octane. In a gas shortage or otherwise difficult situation, you could also run 87 Octane - Porsche just says no full throttle.

Between brands, the raw fuel is the same and all fuels sold in the United States meet a minimum requirement in their additive package. Those fuel companies that exceed the EPA minimums are TOP TIER rated, as has been referenced above. These additive packages vary by brand. Personally, I run Shell, Exxon Mobile, or Chevron. Each additive package is designed to eliminate carbon build up, so my approach is to switch between these brands every 3k or so. My idea is the variation in detergents can be beneficial to eliminating carbon of the previous brand. But that's just what I like to do. I have zero scientific evidence that this process does anything. But I like it. So I do it.

The reality is, for the duration most people own a car, it doesn't matter. Any fuel meets EPA requirements and any TOP TIER fuel exceeds them.

As for Ethanol Free, I will use it when I can, but it's not readily available. I wouldn't move to a lower Octane rating for Ethanol Free either. But again, just me.