So should I start using Shell premium in my Tacoma?

I like this guy's videos.
OilGeekOnGasoline

Shell, Sunoco, Conoco, Exxon are good to go but really if you wouldn't use the restroom there, don't fill up your car there.

I could say more but it boils down to how well maintained the station/pumps are.

You can always pick up a bad tank of gas, but I like to read a book by its cover in this case to minimize my chances.

quote:

should I start using Shell premium in my Tacoma?

What does the manufacturer say?

I won’t use Arco or Circle K gas unless it’s an emergency.

Maverick
Costco
Exxon

Totally okay with those three. All others are second choices.

Any top tier fuel would be good, premium should be used when specified. Engine oil is used to seal the combustion chamber (rings to cylinder walls), it is exposed to the ignition process.
Top tier is a clean fuel, the oil will not turn black as fast.
If you notice on propane fueled equipment, the oil stays clean .

1) Convenience
2) Appearance/condition
3) Price

And brand a distant last.

Basically, I buy gas wherever is the best combination of price and convenience, provided the station is in decent condition. Brand name is basically not a factor.

I stick with Top Tier fuels. Costco, Shell, etc.

Use an additive. I use Lucas and it is effective and cheap.

As long it's Top Tier, you're GTG. Don't sweat the details after that.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

should I start using Shell premium in my Tacoma?

What does the manufacturer say?

I had a 2005 model (first year of second generation) with the V6 engine and 91-octane was recommended for best performance, but not a particular brand. If this is still in effect, the OP would benefit, albeit not dramatically, by using it.

If an engine does not specify premium fuel, there is nothing to be gained by using it.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
If an engine does not specify premium fuel, there is nothing to be gained by using it.

Exactly!

I work for a multinational oil & gas company who refines gasoline, and I use the least expensive top tier regardless of brand. The number of Top Tier gasoline brands is much larger than most people realize (~70 brands). If you set your filters on an app like Gas Buddy right then you'll see the cheapest Top Tier gasoline near you. IME, Top Tier prices can vary by $0.30 per gallon in a square mile.

If you look into it, gasoline is fungible coming out of the refinery. The differentiator is the additive and quantity of additive. The additives are added at the loading rack at the distribution terminal, and every distribution terminal I've been to has a huge generic additive tank and several name brand additive tanks. The trailers that deliver to the gas stations all have multiple compartments and they're bottom loading so drain completely dry making it possible to load gasoline with Shell's additive, drop off at Shell station, return to distribution terminal, load gasoline with Chevron's additive, drop off at Chevron station, return to distribution terminal, load gasoline with Exxon's gasoline additive, drop off at Exxon station, rinse and repeat.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
Top Tier prices can vary by $0.30 per gallon in a square mile.

Yep. Even within the same brand/chain.

The gas station I most often use is a Casey's a couple miles from my house. There's another Casey's that is literally at the entrance of my subdivision, about a block from my house. But gas is 25 to 35 cents more at my neighborhood Casey's than at the Casey's a mere 5 minutes down the road. So I drive past it and down the road a little ways, in order to save several dollars per fillup.

For example, the 91/Premium I use in my Turbo CX-5 is currently $3.94 at my neighborhood station, or only $3.58 just minutes down the road.

No. But then again these days I only get gas from Costco.

And only put in the fuel grade indicated by mfg.

Nope . Never . Price and convenience .

Costco, the majority of the time
Shell/Exxon if I need a stop & no Costco nearby
HEB if I'm already there for groceries

Hopefully, tatortodd chimes in & gives a breakdown of the whole thing.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Costco, the majority of the time
Shell/Exxon if I need a stop & no Costco nearby
HEB if I'm already there for groceries

Hopefully, tatortodd chimes in & gives a breakdown of the whole thing.

Already did an hour ago

What many refer to top tier gasoline is not always refined by the brand on the sign.

Many truck loading terminals load trucks with various brands of fuel and they do not have tanks in the tank farm for each brand.

They inject the additive into the stream just prior to the load arm. They will have additive tanks for each of the brands they are contracted to load. It is the additive that makes it Exxon, Conoco, Shell, Chevron, Valero...

I do not know what additive Costco, Sam's, Murphy, and no-name stations have in their gasoline. Some no-name stations would have Chevron Techron injected but at a lower rate/quantity than Chevron stations.

I worked in the refining/pipeline/loading insustry for 20 years but it has been awhile so I am sure some things have changed.

Hell, no. I drive a Tacoma. If I had my McLaren, I'd be more picky. Unfortunately, it's still in the shop.

I get whatever is cheapest in the area, lowest octane. Costco or Smith's/Kroger are the most common. I'd love to go ethanol free, but with the cost, that gets reserved for my lawnmower, chainsaw, and weed eater.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Costco, the majority of the time
Shell/Exxon if I need a stop & no Costco nearby
HEB if I'm already there for groceries

Hopefully, tatortodd chimes in & gives a breakdown of the whole thing.

Already did an hour ago

Scrolled too quickly