IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GAS BRANDS?

The photo is taken from the site:  https://www.cspdailynews.com/fuels/exxonmobil-debuts-synergy-fuel-imaging 

The answer is “Yes”. There is a huge difference, because some brands contain more detergent additives that can prevent carbon deposits from forming inside your engine.

Such gas brands are called Top Tier Brands. Several vehicle manufacturers recommend using Top Tier gasoline in order they and their dealers do not receive complaints from owners about poor engine performance or fuel economy caused by fouled fuel injectors, carbon deposits, etc.

Such major oil companies as Shell, ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, Phillips 66, Texaco and Valero have adopted the voluntary Top Tier standards for detergent additives.

Some vehicle manufacturers, such as Hyundai and Kia, suggest that owners who do not want or cannot use branded gasoline should add a fuel-system cleaner to their tank to periodically clean out any deposits or gunk. The driver should first check his owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer says about Top Tier gas, gasoline and octane ratings as well as fuel additives.

IS THERE A REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GAS AT “NAME BRAND” STATIONS and at THE "DISCOUNT" STATIONS?

In fact, sometimes it does not matter where you fuel your car. In the early days, gas was dispensed from a pump with a glass globe on top so the drivers could check its quality. Gas quality today, however, is regulated and legally required to contain certain levels of detergents, octane, ethanol, and other ingredients. As have been said above the “name brand” gas might contain more engine-cleaning detergents. Nevertheless, you may find these brands of gas at any station, no matter discount or brand one. So, you may buy gas where it’s convenient for you. All you need is to know the producer of the gas.

Additionally, for some drivers, the nearest Top Tier station may be miles away, making it impractical to fill up at those gas stations consistently. And if you’re on an interstate highway and your tank is nearly empty, you have to take whatever gasoline you can get.

IS CHEAPER GAS CAUSING ENGINE KNOCKING?

If you’re experiencing problems like knocking of the engine, it could be the octane level of the gas. This knocking can steal power from your engine and can slowly cause potentially serious damage. Here are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing a gas brand:

• The environment where you live may influence. For example, if you live in an area with high temperatures but low humidity, this can increase knocking, resulting in the need for high octane gasoline.
• If you have an old car, it may have a buildup of carbon inside the tank. This creates hot spots and deposits that will decrease your tank volume, resulting in higher pressure and knocking.
• Check your spark plugs. Often, if they’re worn out or the wires are not in good condition, it can cause the engine to knock.
• Inspect your engine’s cooling system. A malfunctioning cooling system creates higher engine temperatures, which in turn can cause your engine to start knocking.

So, as you can see, it is not necessarily the gas brand that causes engine knocking in your car. Nevertheless, you should be careful while choosing the place for fueling.

DO WE NEED TO USE ADDITIVES?

Consider using one of the countless octane boosters available, most of which are designated as being safe for turbos, oxygen sensors, and catalytic converters. You can also use a fuel stabilizer like Sea Foam. Both products will improve performance and prolong the life of your engine.