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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Different Gas Different Mileage

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tlak

02-07-2005 05:35:42




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My daughter drives 200 miles to college. She says when she uses Shell she gets noticeably less mileage. She drives a 91 Accord and says with other gases the gage reads between half and 3/4 when she makes the trip and slightly below half when she uses Shell. The trip has minimul stops and a continious 65-70 mph. This is based on more than one trip. Anybody experienced this? I think I'll swear off Shell for a while and see what happens.

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buickanddeere

02-08-2005 00:18:43




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
As previously stated oxygenated fuels and mileage calculated from the gas gauge are factors. It could also be the pump nozzles used by Shell or the local pump nozzle calibration by the maintaince service contractor. The back -pressure auto shut off maybe isn't filling the tank as full at Shell?



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Jerry/MT

02-07-2005 22:22:21




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
You can't use the dash guage to tell fuel mileage with any kind of accuracy. The only accurate way to determine fuel mileage is to fill the tank, record the miles, drive the trip and refil the tank and record the mileage. Take the difference in the mileage and divide that by the fuel used to fill the tank. That's the best number you can get. Compare that number with different fuels and see if the difference is significant. The driver, the terrain, speed variation, temperature, winds, tire pressure, etc, etc ad nauseum all have a significant effect on the results. Personally, I doubt that, if you do it often enough, you will find that the fuel makes a significant difference as it is made to a particular spec and contains so many BTU's per gallon +/- a percent or so.

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Mark - IN.

02-07-2005 20:25:22




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
I guess that it depends. I used to get better fuel economy when using Shell premium than anything else, and rock bottom when ran Gas City premium, closely followed by Amoco Gold. I have no idea why Gas City seems to perform so badly, but Amoco Gold has been "re-formulated" for anti-pollution for years, and not just around major metropolitan areas that require that ALL gasoline be "re-formulated" if population excedes ???? people, or if neighboring factories put out x-amount pollution per x-amount parts per million. Anyway, about 1/2 year or so ago, Shell too began "re-formulating" their gas across the board as well, perhaps in anticipation of new EPA standards. One thing is for sure, this "re-formulated" gas is less potent, and takes more of it to do the same thing. Gallon for gallon, it pollutes less, you just have to burn more of it, and end up polluting more. I guess it better balances Al Gore's earth, somehow - "re-formulated" gas is his baby.

May be something to what she's telling you. The only things that I have that burn gas are the Hog, the Allis B, and the Wheel Horse, and I use Citco now. No more Shell for me either.

Mark

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leland

02-07-2005 18:51:27




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
I tend to do better on shell bacause of there addidaves then amoco but most gas where I live has alcohol in it and you lose milage with it as it is the bottom of the barrel grade and the alcohol boosts the octane. And always buy gas where they pump alot this way you always get the fresh stuff,I stopped at walmarts gas hole for boat gas and bought the good stuff and boat would not run on it the stuff went bad in tank from sitting

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Alberta Mike

02-07-2005 18:18:00




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
Not doubting your daughter's ability to read a gas gauge but determining mileage from a gas gauge reading is not really very accurate. Has she ever done a real mileage test where all accumulated miles and gas volumes are recorded)? That would be one where maybe she does 4-5 fillups with Shell, then another 4-5 fills with whatever brand she wants to compare to. Then and only then will she really know how they compare, and even then there are so many other variables including weather, passing, stop and go, etc.

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brtx

02-07-2005 17:54:33




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
you may see a tanker delivering fuel to multiple stations with the same trailer.those are compartment trailers with multiple tanks .if you look closely they will have many valves under the tank.staions will order x amount of gas and that will be put in one compartment.another staion in another compartment.



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doodelbug

02-07-2005 16:12:23




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
if i buy gas in the big city its oxyegenated ( something like that) i get less mpg than the gas out in the country that isnt. could be why hers is different ?????



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dr.sportster

02-07-2005 13:14:45




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
Hey tlak, Cant think of but one thing the pump is rigged with a switch.Call the state division Of weights and measures.[Usually this is not hte big name staions like Shell but the econo gas places]This practice happens alot more than people realize.



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tlak

02-07-2005 10:11:20




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
Some of the points you'll brought up. She has filled up at the same shell station at each end so it was two different stations but not more. She drives at about the same time of day each way. Regular unleaded only, no blends here. It would be nice if they added alcohol I think they only add water. I don't doubt some of you that worked in the fuel industry. I can also see several independent stations in a remote area being filled by the same distributer. I know my daughter so its believable enough for me to try it.

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MeAnthony

02-07-2005 10:09:11




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
Assuming the same grade of gas delivered to every station, maybe different types and amounts of contaminents in the storage tanks at the stations themselves?



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sammy the RED

02-07-2005 09:48:31




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
I was at a Chili Cook Off last night.
After awhile there were several differant grades of gas. ;o]



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john in la

02-07-2005 09:13:13




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
Their are a lot of variables that can make this happen. The problem is not everyone’s variables are the same. That is why some say Shell is the best while some say Shell is the worst. Fuel temperature also comes into play here.

Gas is different because it is made at different refineries. But it is all made to meet a standard the government has set down.

Depending on where you live your gas comes from a refinery loading rack OR a pipe line rack.

Either way you can buy gas from a Exxon station that was made by Shell or buy gas from a Shell station made by Exxon. Ect Ect..... .
The only thing you are sure of getting is the additive. A Exxon station will always have Exxon additive added to the gas and a Shell station will always have Shell additive added to the gas.

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John M

02-07-2005 09:10:00




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
In one town near me,there are six stations where folks can get gas.They pretty much have all the ins and outs of the town covered.None are strictly gas,they are all like convient store type stations except one who has a machanic on duty.Two of those six are literally across the road from each othe and a third is within 50 yards of those.You cna watch the truck fill up the tanks at one station,go across the raod to the other then up the road to the third and finally a mile up the road to the fourthAll from the smae tanker,but all have different prices.But for some starnge reason,ones gas will seem to run better than the others!

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John M

02-07-2005 09:09:54




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
In one town near me,there are six stations where folks can get gas.They pretty much have all the ins and outs of the town covered.None are strictly gas,they are all like convient store type stations except one who has a machanic on duty.Two of those six are literally across the road from each othe and a third is within 50 yards of those.You cna watch the truck fill up the tanks at one station,go across the raod to the other then up the road to the third and finally a mile up the road to the fourthAll from the smae tanker,but all have different prices.But for some starnge reason,ones gas will seem to run better than the others!

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Kelly C

02-07-2005 08:30:33




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
Most all gas comes out of the same pipe lines from the same refineries.
Saw that on modern marvels on the history channell.
I suppose it is possable that she just got a bad run out of the Shell station. Might change the time they top off the tanks.



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Mike M

02-07-2005 07:54:34




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
I have also noticed variations in my mileage and suspected brand differences ,but I have no proof.



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dej(JED)

02-07-2005 07:32:28




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
Gas is mainly methane and ethane and occassionally, maybe some propane. Gas is not Gasoline. Not all gasolines are created equal! Gasolines vary by composition and their prodcution specifications. Refiners vary specs to accomodate production needs and therefore the gasoline mileage can vary. I don't know who is throwing all of this fairy dust around, but there are some sadly informed people in the world. Alcohols won't give you the mileage that crude products will. I am all for non petroleum products and the sooner the better for the USA.

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T_Bone

02-07-2005 06:57:41




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
Hi tlak,

Yep same thing here but with Texaco minus 4mpg, Mobil & Arco minus 2mpg vs using Union76 or Albersons. Have no idea who supplys Albersons and they don't know but I get the same as the Union76 gas.

Have her track fuel mileage, number of miles divided by gallons used, for awhile to see if a different supplier yields a higher result.

T_Bone



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BLT

02-07-2005 06:54:27




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
I agree with Jay(ND) that gas is gas. I worked in a refinery for 34 years and we sold gas to every company except Texaco. Exxon had their own blend and Shell had their own additive which was added to the tank truck. All the other brands came out of the same spiggott!
I buy whatever is less expensive.



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Bubba

02-07-2005 06:10:43




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
This is very common. Gas that has been contaminated (yes, that's the right word) with ethyl alcohol gives worse gas mileage than straight gas. In my case, if I buy gas with 10% alcohol in it, my mileage goes down by 10%. Makes sense as alcohol cools the combustion process and engines are really "heat engines". People in my state complain about it all the time but legislators like to get that "farm vote" so everyone gets to pay 10% more for their already too expensive gas.

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RustyFarmall

02-07-2005 07:47:01




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to Bubba, 02-07-2005 06:10:43  
10% more for ethanol? Where did you get that information? In Iowa the 10% ethanol gets a price break to encourage its use and production. I recently made a trip from Iowa to Utah, I purchased the 10% ethanol everytime I needed fuel. That includes the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Wyomimg, and Utah. In most places the ethanol was the same price as standard grade unleaded, a few places it was several cents a gallon less expensive. I found NO stations where the ethanol was more expensive.

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Kelly C

02-07-2005 08:34:24




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to RustyFarmall, 02-07-2005 07:47:01  
I think he is refering to the belife that he is getting 10% less mileage= the 10% more cost.



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jddriver

02-07-2005 07:09:33




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 Re: uninformed in reply to Bubba, 02-07-2005 06:10:43  
Bubba I respect your right to your opinion.Mobil Exxon and Amco spent 13 million $$$$ trying to convince everyone that grain alchohol is bad and that we should be using mtbe gas.Look where that got us.I am trying to farm and I only burn gasohol.I beleive is spending $$$ ay home and not over there.Steve



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researcher

02-07-2005 06:58:55




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to Bubba, 02-07-2005 06:10:43  
Bubbaaa, I know you are wrong on this, but believe what you want...the heat issue is not documented. If you want to burn foreign oil and gas that is your right.. but to say they want the farm vote is not right because there are only 1-2 per cent of farmers out here. I wish you could farm for 2 years and get an education.. Hee then you would know something.



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RustyFarmall

02-07-2005 06:08:18




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
Is she buying the gas at the same Shell station everytime? And is she using the same grade or blend at all of the stations she visits? If what she says is true then there has to be something else entering into the picture that she is not aware of.



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Allan in NE

02-07-2005 05:45:46




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to tlak, 02-07-2005 05:35:42  
Tlak,

Had a feller telling me two months ago that he got just the opposite results. Always got 3 to 4 mpg better with Shell.

Me thinks it is all poppycot. :>)

Allan



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Jay (ND)

02-07-2005 06:16:30




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 Re: Different Gas Different Mileage in reply to Allan in NE, 02-07-2005 05:45:46  
Gas is gas is gas.

Not all gas is created equal. While the Shell gas may provide the worse mileage where you are at, it could be the best somewhere else. ALL majors (Exxon/Mobil, Shell, BP, etc.) have exchange agreements with the others. For instance, up here, the refinery is owned by Tesoro, but BP buys most of their product from them and call it BP. In some cases, the majors will have their own additive to put in, but not always.

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