Okay, maybe there's something to this detergent thing?!?

[BigClydeLittleTruck]

Ever since I saw that thread about Top Tier gasoline a few weeks ago, I've been making an effort to only fill-up at stations with Top Tier. I've actually noticed a slight drop in MPG (~28 > ~26.5) but I attribute that to winter blend fuel and the cold weather leading to me idle my truck to warm it up and use the heater more. I primarily run mid-grade which is 89 octane here in Oregon. I haven't noticed much in terms of the engine sounding better or feeling smoother when I drive.

Interesting. I don't know for certain but I assume that here in Florida we likely don't ever get winter blend fuel as there would be no need for it most of the time - unless it goes out uniformly across the country like those heavy coats that show up in all the stores here that I hardly ever see anyone wearing down here.

I did also wonder about the effect of the weather on what I experienced but for me it would have been only a slightly cooler ambient temperature that was occurring at the time I used the bottle of Techron so I don't see how that would have made the kind of difference I've seen but I will not rule out the possibility of the temp contributing to my perception.

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[MakinDoForNow]

Interesting. I don't know for certain but I assume that here in Florida we likely don't ever get winter blend fuel as there would be no need for it most of the time - unless it goes out uniformly across the country like those heavy coats that show up in all the stores here that I hardly ever see anyone wearing down here.

I did also wonder about the effect of the weather on what I experienced but for me it would have been only a slightly cooler ambient temperature that was occurring at the time I used the bottle of Techron so I don't see how that would have made the kind of difference I've seen but I will not rule out the possibility of the temp contributing to my perception.

RE winter blend in Florida: =

• Timeline: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows the switch to start on September 16, though stations may take until October to fully transition.

 

[BigClydeLittleTruck]

RE winter blend in Florida: =

• Timeline: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows the switch to start on September 16, though stations may take until October to fully transition.

Ok, I also didn't realize that it was a regulated thing nor that it contributed to a price difference. Good info!

 

[surfstar]

Fortunately I'm not looking to prove anything to anyone. As I've stated, I'm just reporting my experience which, for me, is the thing that makes the most difference. I start with that and then look for supporting data from outside my experience which is what this conversation is part of for me. I also acknowledge other people process things differently than I.

So this is just me trying my best to keep an open mind about the world and my experiences in it.

Thanks for your thoughts!

My first new car I ever purchased, I kept track of all the costs - I named one category "warm and fuzzy" - because the money spent on it wasn't required for maintenance or an upgrade; so I get it.

I've also moved on from spending time at BITOG (bob is the oil guy) back in the day, where various oils and oil treatments and fuel cleaner supplements, etc were all touted for whatever benefits. That same spreadsheet habit of mine made it quite easy to actually test things in my own real world use. I could never find anything that increased gas mileage enough to pay for itself - except some aerodynamic upgrades and/or simply driving slower on the freeway.

I prefer data / evidence over "feelings" - that's just me. If techron every 3k miles makes you feel like your vehicle feels like it drives better - that's a pretty cheap "warm and fuzzy" "mod".

 

[Surly Old Bill]

Ever since I saw that thread about Top Tier gasoline a few weeks ago, I've been making an effort to only fill-up at stations with Top Tier. I've actually noticed a slight drop in MPG (~28 > ~26.5) but I attribute that to winter blend fuel and the cold weather leading to me idle my truck to warm it up and use the heater more. I primarily run mid-grade which is 89 octane here in Oregon. I haven't noticed much in terms of the engine sounding better or feeling smoother when I drive.

Ford uses a kind of "flex motor" that adapts to different octanes, so it should "feel" the same no matter what octane. Old fashioned engines with carburetors and no computers would perform differently depending on octane.

 

[Carlitos_92]

Ford uses a kind of "flex motor" that adapts to different octanes, so it should "feel" the same no matter what octane. Old fashioned engines with carburetors and no computers would perform differently depending on octane.

Sigh.

OP and the member you're replying to have Ecoboosts - and Ecoboost horsepower is rated at 91 octane. The engine can run 87 octane, but Ford does not say it will make the same horsepower, and it likely wouldn't. I would say that is "performing differently."

 

[BigClydeLittleTruck]

Sigh.

OP and the member you're replying to have Ecoboosts - and Ecoboost horsepower is rated at 91 octane. The engine can run 87 octane, but Ford does not say it will make the same horsepower, and it likely wouldn't. I would say that is "performing differently."

As I've said in other posts, it's been a long time since my high school auto mechanics classes, but as I understand it the adjustments for a difference in octane is primarily a matter of leaning the fuel/air mixture and retarding the timing which the computer can do automatically - this would account for a decrease in horsepower. But the Techron is a detergent additive that has nothing to with the octave level and I added it to the same grade I have been buying so on the surface my addition of Techron was the primary change I made.

 

[Carlitos_92]

As I've said in other posts, it's been a long time since my high school auto mechanics classes, but as I understand it the adjustments for a difference in octane is primarily a matter of leaning the fuel/air mixture and retarding the timing which the computer can do automatically - this would account for a decrease in horsepower. But the Techron is a detergent additive that has nothing to with the octave level and I added it to the same grade I have been buying so on the surface my addition of Techron was the primary change I made.

Understood, and I wasn't replying to any point of yours.

 

[DaddyDan]

If you boys really want to go hell for leather, the VP stations in Albuquerque sold 114 octane race gas the last time I checked./jk

 

[Surly Old Bill]

Sigh.

OP and the member you're replying to have Ecoboosts - and Ecoboost horsepower is rated at 91 octane. The engine can run 87 octane, but Ford does not say it will make the same horsepower, and it likely wouldn't. I would say that is "performing differently."

my point being that running different octane fuels doesn't "ruin" these engines, nor does running low octane cause misfires.
The "performance" differences between 87 and 91 octane are still questionable, and many independent studies show that it's mostly in the driver's head, as the measurable differences in "performance" (0-60, mpg, smooth engine operation) are slight. There is definitely not a significant mpg difference that would make running 91 at extra cost more economical. Maths. But for anyone who feels that running 91+ octane is better for them or their pickup, that peace of mind is probably worth the extra cost.

 

[Carlitos_92]

my point being that running different octane fuels doesn't "ruin" these engines, nor does running low octane cause misfires.
The "performance" differences between 87 and 91 octane are still questionable, and many independent studies show that it's mostly in the driver's head, as the measurable differences in "performance" (0-60, mpg, smooth engine operation) are slight. There is definitely not a significant mpg difference that would make running 91 at extra cost more economical. Maths. But for anyone who feels that running 91+ octane is better for them or their pickup, that peace of mind is probably worth the extra cost.

Sorry, but a lot of that is incorrect regarding turbocharged engines. Feel free to continue that narrative for your hybrid.

Or course 87 octane won’t “ruin” either engine, but I don’t know that anyone is saying that.

 

[notfast]

My issue with Costco isn't the location as I have one roughly 5 mins from my house. My issue is we don't need nor have anywhere to store the quantities their products come in and the membership cost likely wouldn't be worth it just to buy gas.

I had a Costco membership even when I was single and lived in a college apartment. It was worth it to me then because the deli/prepared food, dairy/eggs, snacks, drinks, and frozen food were like, nearly half the price of the supermarket down the street. I went to Costco as my weekly grocery store, but week-by-week it was mostly just eggs, deli, and frozen fruits and vegetables, which I could finish within the week. Some things I bought once a year.

But on the break even point, if we assume that:

• gas is $2.90 a gallon at a station nearby
• the Costco station is 20% cheaper
• you get the Costco Visa card (gets you another 5% back on gas purchased at Costco) and
• you average 40mpg, then

you'd break even on a $130 Executive membership in 7,470 miles of driving if you bought nothing at Costco other than gas.

 

[BigClydeLittleTruck]

I had a Costco membership even when I was single and lived in a college apartment. It was worth it to me then because the deli/prepared food, dairy/eggs, snacks, drinks, and frozen food were like, nearly half the price of the supermarket down the street. I went to Costco as my weekly grocery store, but week-by-week it was mostly just eggs, deli, and frozen fruits and vegetables, which I could finish within the week. Some things I bought once a year.

But on the break even point, if we assume that:

• gas is $2.90 a gallon at a station nearby
• the Costco station is 20% cheaper
• you get the Costco Visa card (gets you another 5% back on gas purchased at Costco) and
• you average 40mpg, then

you'd break even on a $130 Executive membership in 7,470 miles of driving if you bought nothing at Costco other than gas.

Great info! This sounds great for someone who puts more miles on their vehicle that I do.

• $2.90 a gallon is pretty accurate for stations near me
• Costco near me is only about 12% cheaper
• We'll keep the 5% off for the card
• I have an EcoBoost so I only average about 20-22 if I'm careful
• This would come to a roughly 5400 mile break even
• BUT, projecting my 8 months of ownership out to a full year will only get to me about 4400 miles driven for the year so the Executive membership doesn't makes sense for me.
• The $65 membership seems like it would work assuming there are no differences that impact the prices based on the lower membership tier.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Great info! This sounds great for someone who puts more miles on their vehicle that I do.

• $2.90 a gallon is pretty accurate for stations near me
• Costco near me is only about 12% cheaper
• We'll keep the 5% off for the card
• I have an EcoBoost so I only average about 20-22 if I'm careful
• This would come to a roughly 5400 mile break even
• BUT, projecting my 8 months of ownership out to a full year will only get to me about 4400 miles driven for the year so the Executive membership doesn't makes sense for me.
• The $65 membership seems like it would work assuming there are no differences that impact the prices based on the lower membership tier.

The % for the executive card ($130) in store
is 2% for the ($65) card it's only 1%

 

[notfast]

The $65 membership seems like it would work assuming there are no differences that impact the prices based on the lower membership tier.

I suppose it depends on whether and how much other "stuff" you plan on buying. The Executive membership gives you 2% back on stuff bought at Costco, but there are a number of exclusions. If you buy at least $3,252 worth of applicable stuff in one year then the extra cost of the membership pays for itself with the 2% reward.
https://www.costco.com/executive-rewards.html

I'm just glad they brought back the executive shopping hours (executive members get in 30-60 minutes earlier). Going on a Sunday morning during executive hour is basically a Costco cheat code. I can be in and out within ten minutes if I don't browse around.

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