Where do I get real gas in Raleigh?

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:35 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

NC is one of the few states left that don't require stations to post if the gas contains ethanol. I vote we start an electronic petition and get the law changed to require posting.

Especially considering the ethanol subsidy that reduces the cost per gallon by $0.04. If I'm paying "full price," so to speak, I want to pay for something with no ethanol in it.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:52 pm

Karl Shultz wrote:

RodneyWright wrote:

NC is one of the few states left that don't require stations to post if the gas contains ethanol. I vote we start an electronic petition and get the law changed to require posting.

Especially considering the ethanol subsidy that reduces the cost per gallon by $0.04. If I'm paying "full price," so to speak, I want to pay for something with no ethanol in it.

It "appears" from the Sunoco Race Fuels site that if the unleaded race fuel is oxygenated it has ethanol. http://www.racegas.com/fuel/unleaded

Isn't street gas these days required to be oxygenated? MTBE was the previous oxygenate.

From my previous research I think these days you should assume ethanol around 10 % unless clearly marked otherwise for pump gas.

Dick

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 1:47 am

Speaking of gas...

My S2000 seems to be essentially unaffected by fuel choice. Cheap gas like Sheetz, Costco, or Marathon all perform the same, and return the same approximate fuel mileage, as brand name stuff. So I don't worry much about ethanol in the S2000.

The Mercedes, though, is another matter entirely. Kara's brother in law owns a fuel company in Wake Forest, and knows a thing or two about gas. He told me that the brand name stuff has better additive packages in it, which I knew, but I didn't realize the difference it could make. I'd been filling up at Costco and Sheetz, since the car requires premium and holds 18 gallons. About every third tank, the CEL would come on with some sort of EGR code. Six or seven tanks ago, I switched back to brand name gas, usually BP or Shell, and have started using Lucas fuel treatment on every fill up. No CELs since. Fuel mileage seems better, too, but it's hard to say that for sure since I didn't get super scientific about it.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:14 am

Karl Shultz wrote:

The Mercedes, though, is another matter entirely. Kara's brother in law owns a fuel company in Wake Forest, and knows a thing or two about gas. He told me that the brand name stuff has better additive packages in it, which I knew, but I didn't realize the difference it could make. I'd been filling up at Costco and Sheetz, since the car requires premium and holds 18 gallons. About every third tank, the CEL would come on with some sort of EGR code. Six or seven tanks ago, I switched back to brand name gas, usually BP or Shell, and have started using Lucas fuel treatment on every fill up. No CELs since. Fuel mileage seems better, too, but it's hard to say that for sure since I didn't get super scientific about it.

I've only been using name brand "forever" for the same reasons. I've NEVER had a car have a CEL . . . even with over 200K. Of course I've only had 5 fuel injected cars (4 different Mustangs and an 84 Nissan 200 SX . . . no German stuff and no modifications).

I met a guy at an autocross at VMP years ago that worked for a pump gas additive company. He said that they or a previous employer did "get the engine dirty" testing with Citgo since it was the dirtiest "name brand". I only use Citgo in our carburated Dodge van when filling it locally . . . and only because it is a block from our house. Otherwise mostly Exxon or BP.

clinehall · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 11:31 am

Karl Shultz wrote:

Speaking of gas...

My S2000 seems to be essentially unaffected by fuel choice. Cheap gas like Sheetz, Costco, or Marathon all perform the same, and return the same approximate fuel mileage, as brand name stuff. So I don't worry much about ethanol in the S2000.

The Mercedes, though, is another matter entirely. Kara's brother in law owns a fuel company in Wake Forest, and knows a thing or two about gas. He told me that the brand name stuff has better additive packages in it, which I knew, but I didn't realize the difference it could make. I'd been filling up at Costco and Sheetz, since the car requires premium and holds 18 gallons. About every third tank, the CEL would come on with some sort of EGR code. Six or seven tanks ago, I switched back to brand name gas, usually BP or Shell, and have started using Lucas fuel treatment on every fill up. No CELs since. Fuel mileage seems better, too, but it's hard to say that for sure since I didn't get super scientific about it.

Have you ever cleared the EGR tube? Those are notorious for clogging. mine would come on go off come on go off. Finally stayed on so I had to do it. Just a hassel getting to it and use a coathanger to clear it out and you're good.

Back on subject, I heard a small engine mechanic quoted as saying you should always use high test in small engines now due to this situation, for what it's worth.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:22 pm

clinehall wrote:

Have you ever cleared the EGR tube? Those are notorious for clogging. mine would come on go off come on go off. Finally stayed on so I had to do it. Just a hassel getting to it and use a coathanger to clear it out and you're good.

Back on subject, I heard a small engine mechanic quoted as saying you should always use high test in small engines now due to this situation, for what it's worth.

I haven't ever cleared it. The car's only got 30K miles on it, so I'm kind of hoping that I'll get away with this for a while. Apparently, Merc has an updated EGR tube that alleviates the blocking issue, so when the time comes, I'll probably just replace the whole thing. Clearing it out, as you know, is a hassle, because you "should" take it free of the throttle body before doing so. Otherwise, it would be easy, but you risk pushing that gunk into the cylinders, and that's a whole new, and worse, problem.

I don't think I knew that you had one. I absolutely adore mine, it's hands down the best daily driver/highway car I've ever had. It's something a little different, quirky and european while still being reliable.

clinehall · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 1:36 pm

Karl Shultz wrote:

clinehall wrote:

Have you ever cleared the EGR tube? Those are notorious for clogging. mine would come on go off come on go off. Finally stayed on so I had to do it. Just a hassel getting to it and use a coathanger to clear it out and you're good.

Back on subject, I heard a small engine mechanic quoted as saying you should always use high test in small engines now due to this situation, for what it's worth.

I haven't ever cleared it. The car's only got 30K miles on it, so I'm kind of hoping that I'll get away with this for a while. Apparently, Merc has an updated EGR tube that alleviates the blocking issue, so when the time comes, I'll probably just replace the whole thing. Clearing it out, as you know, is a hassle, because you "should" take it free of the throttle body before doing so. Otherwise, it would be easy, but you risk pushing that gunk into the cylinders, and that's a whole new, and worse, problem.

I don't think I knew that you had one. I absolutely adore mine, it's hands down the best daily driver/highway car I've ever had. It's something a little different, quirky and european while still being reliable.

Yeah, I had a station wagon and miss it all the time. mine had 150k on it before it was a problem so perhaps that is not it. What's the story on finding one with 30k on it.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:37 pm

clinehall wrote:

Yeah, I had a station wagon and miss it all the time. mine had 150k on it before it was a problem so perhaps that is not it. What's the story on finding one with 30k on it.

The wagons are sweet for sure. It's getting tough to find nice ones! I sure looked.

Mine is an honest to goodness "owned by a little old lady in Florida" car, with dealer service records from MB of Fort Lauderdale. The guy I bought it from is in the DC area, and he bought it from the woman's family. He put a grand total of about 200 miles on it in eight months or so. He sold it because he and his wife were moving within the DC Metro area, and he was losing his third parking space. His 07 S-class, and his wife's late model ML, were to stay, and the W124, which he bought without his wife's permission (!!), had to go.

It's not perfect, but I knew I wasn't going to find another with such low mileage, possibly ever, so I bought it. I paid too much for it, and I'd do it again. I've put 10K miles on it in about five months (I bought it with 21K on it), and have grown very attached.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:54 am

Update to my seasonal gas mileage with Exxon 87 Octane on my 22 mile each way freeway commute. Mileage is calculated from gallons used and miles traveled. Even the gas station is the same.

The 2001 Mustang GT manual consistently got around 22 mpg in winter (before and after Exxon started using ethanol) and about 23 to 24 in summer.

My 2012 Mustang GT automatic has consistently gotten "almost" 23 this winter. However, the last 2 tanks have averaged 24 mpg. The jump was not "gradual". Last week's fill up was 23.9 and this week's was 24.3. Previously it never exceeded 23.

Sounds like "winter versus summer" gas is the cause unless the warmer weather really changed engine efficiency. No A/C use so far. The only other possibility is a dramatic "step function" change in engine calibration when the car reached about 4800 miles a couple of weeks ago. However, there is no "feel" difference when cruising at 2K in traffic. Original factory oil fill (will change after I retire in a week which will still be long before the recommended 10K

).

This ends my six year consistent freeway commute with Mustang GT's so the "experiment" must end. Oh well. :lol:

Dick

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Tue Jun 11, 2013 2:57 pm

I've never thought to pass this along until now.

My in-laws in Wake Forest own Holding Oil. They have ethanol-free premium there. So, if you want ethanol free gas, that's a place that I know, for certain, carries it.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Tue Jun 11, 2013 3:51 pm

Good to know....I work up there a couple times a month, so I will remember to take my S2000 on those days!

BretLuter · **Posted:** Tue Jun 11, 2013 5:23 pm

Saw a post on another forum that the BP on Glenwood near Walmart (in front of the Pleasant Valley Shopping center/across from Fat Daddy's) has 89 octane advertised as No Ethanol for not too much more than their regular 87 octane stuff.- maybe 15-18 cents per gallon.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:25 pm

BretLuter wrote:

Saw a post on another forum that the BP on Glenwood near Walmart (in front of the Pleasant Valley Shopping center/across from Fat Daddy's) has 89 octane advertised as No Ethanol for not too much more than their regular 87 octane stuff.- maybe 15-18 cents per gallon.

I will try to check to see if they have 93 octane also since my low octane cars have no problem with ethanol. This location was an old Exxon until being completely torn down to build the BP with a car wash. It is in front of the Pep Boys and very near Jeb's Discount Tire store.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Jun 12, 2013 4:28 pm

DickRasmussen wrote:

BretLuter wrote:

Saw a post on another forum that the BP on Glenwood near Walmart (in front of the Pleasant Valley Shopping center/across from Fat Daddy's) has 89 octane advertised as No Ethanol for not too much more than their regular 87 octane stuff.- maybe 15-18 cents per gallon.

I will try to check to see if they have 93 octane also since my low octane cars have no problem with ethanol. This location was an old Exxon until being completely torn down to build the BP with a car wash. It is in front of the Pep Boys and very near Jeb's Discount Tire store.

This station only has 89 Octane without ethanol. It is a 4th selection on at least one pump. I didn't pay attention to the price but my impression was that it was in the range of the other selections (i.e. not like race gas pricing)

RickyBeam · **Posted:** Wed Jun 12, 2013 5:32 pm

Quote:

It is a 4th selection on at least one pump.

I was about to say, if the 89 is ethanol-less, then all their gas is as 89 is a mix of 87 and 93. But if they have an independent tank for it... as Pinky would say, "Oh, well there you are then."

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