Does Gas Brand Matter?

[gamer_jim]

Does it matter which gas brand you buy or are they all the same?

My last tank I only got 31.5 MPG where I filled it up at a non-branded gas station. Before that I filled up at Exxon and I got my highest ever at 36 MPG.

My initial thought was that maybe the Exxon gas was better quality or had less ethanol? Maybe I just didn't drive as well on my last tank.

Has anyone else noticed if the gas brand yields better FE?

[MetroMPG]

I know some people swear by certain gas brands.

However, unless you're driving exactly the same route in the same conditions day after day after day (and putting a lot of miles on), it's next to impossible to compare one fuel brand to another in any sort of controlled fashion.

Comparing fuel/fuel additives is something that can really only be done in a lab, IMO.

[SirKeats]

there's been a billion arguments about this across the net. i think the majority of folks will say that gas is gas and the only difference is the additives the various companies put in their fuel... which don't contribute (or detract) from mpgs.

for example, i put 76 in my V8 toy puller simply because it's a newer car and i want the additives in the 76 gas to keep my engine clean and what not (which the additives claim to do). in my beater commuter though i put costco gas, which i've been told has no additives.

of course, many would disagree with this assessment. LOL.