Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

Gas Preference's?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 02:39 AM
  #1  
Del Namco Solo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
Default Gas Preference's?

Long Story, skip to *.*.* if you don't want to read.

So, I got my first car 2 years ago. 1993 honda civic del sol si. I would throw just regular low end gas in it, and think nothing of it. My buddy, who is into cars, said he read an interesting bit on the net about how shell is some of the best gas money can buy. At that point I started to use shell. While using shell, I noticed my car became slower (on regular), didn't respond well to throttle control, and overall just seemed like it was destroying my engine. Don't ask me why, it just felt as so. After 1 year and my engine constantly bogging down, I ended up switching fuels. I then switched to Chevron (with techron) early this year. The engine did not feel like it improved. It felt as bad as it did with Shell. These fuels have additives that are supposed to help your engine, FOR ME, it felt like it was causing problems. (Note, I used Shell standard for a long time, and then moved up one grade, and then up to premium, and things got worse and worse.)(Note2. On Chevron, I started on regular and moved up and up to premium, things still seemed bad).

THEN, Just recently (as of like 4 months) I have been buying BP (go to leave work, tank is nearly empty, why not, its close by, its not shell or chevron). And all I can say is WOW. FOR ME, this fuel really did help my engine. The bogging while accelerating stopped, the engine feels like it breathes better. Even my throttle response improved (not me, the engine). Now my engine runs great. I WAS using BP premium, but recently I switched to mid grade and my car preforms better (both fuel economy AND performance).

*.*.*

I prefer BP. Its the only gas that seems to work in my car without causing some sort of performance problem.

I've seen a lot of forums talk about "top tier gas" and that BP IS NOT on the list. But my thing is, if Shell and Chevron ARE on the Top-Tier Gas list, what exactly are you getting? Why is it top tier? Why is it that a gas company, who has additives just like those in top tier, perform better than those "top-tier".

Now there is a "top-tier" website, that explains that gas's on the top tier-list all conform to the same standard. To me this DOES NOT say that their fuel is "top of the line" it just means "hey, were all the same". So if Shell was bad for my car, and Chevron made it worse, and BP is my savior, I say "to hell" with that list of "top-tier".

What do you prefer?

Friendly discussion only please. And NOTE, this is MY CAR not YOURS, Different engines and different tunes, all causes different results (I'm on stock base tune AKA un-modded ECU) so MY results MAY NOT BE YOURS.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 02:53 AM
  #2  
C Dubya's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

I think your butt dyno is ****ed up.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 04:30 AM
  #3  
300whpej's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 0
From: raleigh, nc
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

i have no preference in gas stations, but i will only use 93 octane since its only a .80 difference in fill ups. i have been using 93 since i got my learners permit almost 5 years ago since my mom's car only took 93. i cant say that the companies use different additives in their gas, but on a tank of 93 in my stock dx coupe, i can get 260-270 miles to a tank, city driving (31.7-32.9 mpg) i did try a tank of 89 last month and struggled to get 200 miles to a tank, so im sticking with 93.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 05:46 AM
  #4  
D Griff's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte, NC
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

Originally Posted by 300whpej
i have no preference in gas stations, but i will only use 93 octane since its only a .80 difference in fill ups. i have been using 93 since i got my learners permit almost 5 years ago since my mom's car only took 93. i cant say that the companies use different additives in their gas, but on a tank of 93 in my stock dx coupe, i can get 260-270 miles to a tank, city driving (31.7-32.9 mpg) i did try a tank of 89 last month and struggled to get 200 miles to a tank, so im sticking with 93.
???? I get over 300 miles to a tank EASY in my DX using 87. I've gotten close to 400 before (aka above 40 mpgs) and my EJ8 is heavier and has .1L more displacement.

I would recommend the cheapest gas to be found in your area to anyone. Use premium if your car needs it (turbo, maybe DOHC vtec, I'm not sure, or if you drive a Bimmer or something).
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 05:54 AM
  #5  
Lugzilla's Avatar
Canuckian
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

I just use the cheap gas, full tank on the highway will get me almost exactly 585km. I drive a 99 civic cx hb btw. I've filled up a couple times with 93 doesn't seem to make much difference. The only time I've ever felt the engine sputter or lose power though was with 93 so I just stick with what works best(and cheapest).
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 08:00 AM
  #6  
bluebomber's Avatar
Information Leafblower
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA, USA
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

We only have 91 octane in Cali. I get whatever is the cheapest, generally Arco or Valero. Gas is gas.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 08:28 AM
  #7  
mynameizstitch's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,007
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA, us
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

soo many treads about gas. people have their own preferences. as for me if i pick a gas station then i stick with that brand only unless there is non around then i would go for something else but something in the top tier gas such as 76, shell, chevron, etc...
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 08:44 AM
  #8  
trustdestruction's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,134
Likes: 1
From: FL
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

I use BP gas. My dad used my car once and put Chevron in it though (and this was 93 octane too...) and I had spark knock until my next tank of gas. I realize that not all Chevrons are the same but due to that experience i'll probably never get gas there unless I have to.
I tried Shell gas a few times but I got about 3 mpg less with it every time when compared to BP.

I also like the local Sunoco gas station. My engine seems to run pretty good with BP and Sunoco fuel. I'm sure there's others that are good too of course.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 08:49 AM
  #9  
maxboost10's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

I use premium only for DD b series and only Quiktrip. I like it and it works for me. When we had the gas shortage last year(literally every gas station close by empty) with lines out in the street, i could definitely feel the engine was putting out less power. Sort of like the running a/c. Felt like a dog until premium was back on line.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 10:16 AM
  #10  
elf469's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Nor*Cal
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

i run 91 chevron or shell(depending on what i'm closer to) on all my cars(ef hatch, 96 maxima se) and my bike(triumph daytona 675) as well. Yea i know the civic can run on regular just fine, i just dont feel right putting it in the tank.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 10:22 AM
  #11  
JDM H2B EK's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 875
Likes: 0
From: IN AND AROUND PHILLY
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

gas is not gas lol here in philly i can feel a huge difference in gas nt only in performance but also in how how fast it burns so i say sunoco super 93 FTW
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 11:17 AM
  #12  
Dkober101's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Morgan City, La., USA
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

IMO I think it’s the 10% e85 they are starting to mix with gas now. If you can try finding a place that doesn’t have that mix and give that a shot.

They only places in my town that doesn’t mix is Exxon and/or Mobile stations.

I don’t run Shell gas in anything if I have the choice, my findings are, decreased gas mileage and my motor is very unresponsive when using Shell.

Shell is a “discount” gasoline , nothing else. The claims they state about “cleaner burning” are test they hold against other discount gases such as Murphy, Sam’s, Conoco, Phillips, ect.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 12:12 PM
  #13  
thumper64's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 1
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

I'd always get lower fuel economy with Shell compared to others, but wasn't totally sure if it was just other variables causing it or Shell really just burns up faster. Maybe they just put more ethanol in their fuel than they're supposed to? It's cheap, burns fast, increases the octane so they can use cruddier gas in the mix...

I prefer BP. It costs a bit more, but I got better gas mileage and I know it's good because it's Amoco gas. I would always run 91 because I had a GSR swap (needed the octane) and it wasn't mixed with ethanol. I always got about 35-37mpg mixed and got crazy good on the interstate if I kept my foot out of it...
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 12:46 PM
  #14  
ChumBucket's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

I use chevron and texaco over in texas and it has techron which is an adittive to clean the fuel injectors. My car reponses to it fine. My two cents...
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 12:52 PM
  #15  
trustdestruction's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,134
Likes: 1
From: FL
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

Originally Posted by ChumBucket
I use chevron and texaco over in texas and it has techron which is an adittive to clean the fuel injectors. My car reponses to it fine. My two cents...
As to my knowledge, almost all of the gas companies put cleaning additives in their gas.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 01:14 PM
  #16  
landon.alder's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

I tried both chevron and shell and I ended up feeling like my car ran better on chevron so I've stuck with it. I figure since they're about the same price I might as well just buy what runs better.

I've always tried to use top tier gas though.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 04:26 PM
  #17  
hannslebo's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 849
Likes: 1
From: ATLANTA GA
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

Originally Posted by maxboost10
I use premium only for DD b series and only Quiktrip. I like it and it works for me. When we had the gas shortage last year(literally every gas station close by empty) with lines out in the street, i could definitely feel the engine was putting out less power. Sort of like the running a/c. Felt like a dog until premium was back on line.

QT is garbage!!! I like sunoco/cheveron/bp

93oct
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 04:36 PM
  #18  
Del Namco Solo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

I like the positive input. BP, for me, like I said, is fantastic stuff.

I would ask all of you to try out different gases until you find the one that suits your car best. Not every d16z6 off the factory line is the same. My stock z6 with 121k miles ran 15.9 fastest I could get. My friend, who I can honestly say is a WAY better drag racer (I'm more into circuit), he ran a 16.4 with his z6(he had about 70k miles when he ran his stock time years ago. year's shouldn't really effect performance, but if you say so, his was done before mine, so his should preform better?), except I was in my stock 93 del sol (2700lbs according to door panel on driver side) vs his hatch (hatches are like low 2000 stock?). Neither of us had mods for this "stock" run, everything was OEM from factory.

As I said, I like the input, I'd like to hear more opinions :D
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 04:38 PM
  #19  
BryanM.'s Avatar
Resident Gearhead
15 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 16
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

Never noticed a difference from this company's fuel vs.that company's fuel. Maybe my butt dyno needs re-calibration.

Some of you guy need to use the correct octane fuel for your engines i.e. ALL stock D-series engines run OPTIMALLY on 87 oct fuel.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 05:14 PM
  #20  
gwl's Avatar
gwl
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: SoCal, CA, USA
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

Years ago in the 80's when I had my Celica, Shell gas would stink up the car after I filled it up. Strange but true. I use Costco gas or Union 76.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 06:05 PM
  #21  
bigweedy's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

my car runs better on the cheaper shiit i don't care if it has water in it i'll just buy another engine, I dont live with my mom or pops i'll make my money...
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 07:42 PM
  #22  
300whpej's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 0
From: raleigh, nc
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

Originally Posted by bigweedy
my car runs better on the cheaper shiit i don't care if it has water in it i'll just buy another engine, I dont live with my mom or pops i'll make my money...
this has to be one of the stupidest things ive read online in a while
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2010 | 11:37 AM
  #23  
desync's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

If I run anything but shell or petro canada 87 i loose 2-3mpg in my truck and it runs like a bag of ***. The cheaper fuels seem to have a higher ethanol content.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2010 | 01:01 PM
  #24  
freeworld's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

arco all the way
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2010 | 01:31 PM
  #25  
elf469's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Nor*Cal
Default Re: Gas Preference's?

Originally Posted by bigweedy
my car runs better on the cheaper shiit i don't care if it has water in it i'll just buy another engine, I dont live with my mom or pops i'll make my money...

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:43 PM.