Do You Need Detergent in Your Gasoline?

They all have the Same Base Components

The gasoline from different gas companies and filling stations comes from a common source: the “base gas” from a petroleum refinery. This gas meets a minimum set of standards and all stations start with that foundation. From there the refinery adds various compounds as required by the Environmental Protection Agency in order to reduce emissions. After that, the different gas companies — both off-brand and major brands — put their own additive packages in the gas to further boost cleaning properties. That’s the basic difference between brands: cleaning properties (and some tout “performance enhancement” too.)

Then the marketing people get to flex their muscles

The major oil companies spend millions of dollars convincing buyers that their premium price formulations are better by creating radio, TV and internet ads touting their superiority. These ads with smiling cartoon cars, lab-coated scientists and carbonized engine valves are designed to drive home the point. Here’s an example: “With Shell’s nitrogen-enriched gas, you won’t get a buildup of nasty gunk in your engine”, the company advertising promises, and then they show you a picture of blacked engine “gunk”. Is all this just a marketing gimmick? Well, yes and no. The Federal Trade Commission has rules about what you can say. There has to be some factual basis behind the claims but, that being said, there’s going to be some hyperbole involved too. Let’s look a little deeper. Read More: AutosVoice.com