Costco gas station....um

[900ss]

The gas we have in CA is just awful. Chevron’s additive package (Techron) is definitely the best. And it’s priced accordingly. But for whatever reason, Shell’s gas (V-Power) does not like my cars, despite costing just as much as Chevron.. Over the years I’ve tried it here and there in a few different Corvettes, and every time I’ve heard audible pinging or the check engine light comes on. Go figure…a high compression pushrod V8 with a supercharger making 14psi of boost might be a bit sensitive to less than perfect fuel. Occasionally I will fill up the whole tank with 100 octane from the 76 Station in Saratoga, and my butt dyno (and even a real dyno) can feel the difference.

Are there any stations in the Bay Area you know of that carry 93 or 94 octane?

 

[TheRobSJ]

Rob, ime over the years, Shell's additive package does not mix well with other fuel brands. Seems to be a non issue if you use it exclusively. Countless times I've had customers complain they just filled up with fuel and their car started running poorly. It was Shell every time.

I’m one of those lazy asses who waits till the car is on fumes before I get gas. As a mechanic, I know this is awful for the fuel pump (and I actually did have one quit on me about 16 years ago).

So every time I’ve used Shell, it was pretty much a full load of “V-Power” going in. Last time…picked up the new Vette in San Diego and coming home, low fuel warning coming down from Grapevine. Filled up at Tejon. Very first pull I tried after getting back on I-5, I had the flashing check engine light, went into limp mode, the whole nine. Anyone else might have had a panic attack if their brand new car started doing that three hours after taking delivery and more or less in the middle of BFE. But I immediately knew it was the gas, and just took it easy until refilling in Gilroy (yes if you did the math, the mileage is that shitty). Swore off Shell for good. Chevron or 76 now and that’s it. If I absolutely have to get gas somewhere else, I’ll only get a few gallons and go find a Chevron.

 

[TheRobSJ]

Are there any stations in the Bay Area you know of that carry 93 or 94 octane?

Unfortunately no. Pretty sure we’re stuck with 91 (with 10-15% ethanol) for the whole state.

But there’s the 76 station in Saratoga and there’s another one in SJ on Almaden and Foxworthy (not far from Bass Pro) that have 100 octane pumps. $10 a gallon.

Don’t put in a full tank (unless race car) of course. But maybe mix in a couple gallons of that 100 and then fill the rest up with the 91, and you should average the tank to 93 or so.

 

[Abacinator]

There's a station in Sunol that has 101, and the Sunoco pumps at Sonoma raceway are available every day.

 

[TheRobSJ]

There's a station in Sunol that has 101, and the Sunoco pumps at Sonoma raceway are available every day.

Ah yes that’s right! Easy off the freeway on Andrade. Quite the mix of octanes there I believe.

 

[Abacinator]

I think they have leaded too

 

[Blankpage]

I think they have leaded too

Wouldn’t that be pretty disastrous to modern engines and fuel systems

 

[Abacinator]

No but it is very bad for catalytic converters

 

[Kornholio]

The gas we have in CA is just awful. Chevron’s additive package (Techron) is definitely the best. And it’s priced accordingly. But for whatever reason, Shell’s gas (V-Power) does not like my cars, despite costing just as much as Chevron.. Over the years I’ve tried it here and there in a few different Corvettes, and every time I’ve heard audible pinging or the check engine light comes on. Go figure…a high compression pushrod V8 with a supercharger making 14psi of boost might be a bit sensitive to less than perfect fuel. Occasionally I will fill up the whole tank with 100 octane from the 76 Station in Saratoga, and my butt dyno (and even a real dyno) can feel the difference.

Many of the stations here sell ethanol-free gas year round. It's more expensive, of course, but I usually put a tank of it into the bikes/Jeeps at least once a month or so.

Are there any stations in the Bay Area you know of that carry 93 or 94 octane?

There's a station in Sunol that has 101, and the Sunoco pumps at Sonoma raceway are available every day.

Beat me to it. This is from a year ago, but I suspect their octane offerings are still the same...

 

[TheRobSJ]

Many of the stations here sell ethanol-free gas year round. It's more expensive, of course, but I usually put a tank of it into the bikes/Jeeps at least once a month or so.

I’m almost as jealous of that as I was of you getting McRibs for longer than the piddly two weeks I had here.

 

[Kornholio]

 

[Lonster]

I like how the 98 is actually an 86 sticker upside down.

 

[Blankpage]

I rarely ever extract the full performance my bike is capable of on regular premium. No sense in me spending money on anything more than the manual recommends.

 

[TheRobSJ]

I rarely ever extract the full performance my bike is capable of on regular premium. No sense in me spending money on anything more than the manual recommends.

Here’s what is “required” in my manual. Living here in CA, this presents a bit of a hassle to say the least.

My Acura which is really just a Honda with a mildly hotter tune says 91 is “recommended” but not required.

 

[Kornholio]

I've honestly never seen a vehicle or motorcycle that requires anything higher than 91. Indeed, California isn't the only state where finding anything higher than 91 is difficult or impossible.

 

[TheRobSJ]

I've honestly never seen a vehicle or motorcycle that requires anything higher than 91. Indeed, California isn't the only state where finding anything higher than 91 is difficult or impossible.

Yeah it’s kind of a pain in the ass. I usually fill up with 91 Chevron along with a whole can of octane booster (which I know is not a true replacement for race fuel) to keep the thing from retarding too much timing.

Meanwhile the Hellcats, which also have a supercharged 6.2L pushrod V8, seem to get away with 91 and they’re totally fine.

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

Here’s what is “required” in my manual. Living here in CA, this presents a bit of a hassle to say the least.

My Acura which is really just a Honda with a mildly hotter tune says 91 is “recommended” but not required.

Haha. This post may lead me to finally put “regular” in my car. I’ve always seen it says that it wants 91. But now I checked carefully—and it’s not easy: on two different places…(gas flap, and manual) ….but the manual also says “recommended” 91 instead of required…

next step: register in the manuf website to get a cool online manual for screenshots like above…or they’ll just fish me for promotions and other bs offers !

Edit: PS, since I’m here : the price difference at Costco, was $4.69 for Premium, compared to $5.17 at the nearest Chevron, I checked.

 

[Abacinator]

You should stick with 91 in your Audi.

 

[Holeshot]

I like how the 98 is actually an 86 sticker upside down.

Haha! Good catch!

Yeah it’s kind of a pain in the ass. I usually fill up with 91 Chevron along with a whole can of octane booster (which I know is not a true replacement for race fuel) to keep the thing from retarding too much timing.

Meanwhile the Hellcats, which also have a supercharged 6.2L pushrod V8, seem to get away with 91 and they’re totally fine.

Be interesting to test GAMI's G100(UL) fuel coming out for piston aircraft. 100 octane, no lead.

 

[Eldritch]

Assholes should be confronted, when possible, they shouldn't be given a free pass. Assholes usually aren't that way with just one thing but across the board.

I've always thought that there should be a Driving like and asshole fine, where the infraction isn't spelled out but would fall under the category of if the vast majority of reasonable people would view what you did as acting like an asshole, then you're an asshole.

As can be observed from the video, do not engage assholes unless you think it is worth getting shot to death.