I know that different brands of gas have different formulations (MBTE, detergents, etc...), and these formulations likely have performance impacts on the S2000 engine.

Anyone done any comparisons on the S2000 with any recommendations?

Obviously I use 93 octane, but I'm not sure which brands would be best. I live in the northeast, FYI - which might be significant due to additives related to cold-weather.

 

There are hundreds of blends of gasoline around the country that vary with time of year, altitude, air regulations, marketplace, etc. It is very likely that any comparison will not hold true over a geographic or time span.

 

So if there are this many variations, what can I look for besides octane?

Any brands tend to have better formulations (measured or seat-of-the-pants comparisons)?

 

It is trial and error that will vary by location and time. You may find a brand in your locale that does best so stick with it until conditions change. Or don't worry about it at all, and just focus on octane because you cannot fully anticipate what you are getting over time and distance.

 

The bad news: The gas you buy, even at large name-branded pump stations, can vary day-to-day or week-to-week. Typically, by law the station only needs to sell the brand advertised some percentage of the time (20-40 maybe), and the rest of the time it may sell an "equivalent" formulation. So even if you loyally fill up at the same station every time you may not be getting the same gas.

The good news: Basically all the major name-brand formulas are the same, performance-wise. Quality control is very good (here in the US), and the premium blends typically have cleaning additives that are more or less equivalent.

So stick to the major brands (for their quality control) and you'll be fine.

 

I heard Click & Clack extoll the virtues of Chevron gas because it contains Techron. They seemed to think that it was pretty good in keeping the injectors clean.

 

Stick to major brands.

We used Sheetz gas in our 92 civic and the fuel injectors started going bad like baloons at a porcupine birthday.

All four were replaced under emissions warranty. Never used quik-E-mart gasoline again!

 

Thanks everyone!

I think I might try Chevron if I can find a station locally (usually use Mobil or Shell).

 

Mobile makes some good stuff.
I also hear that Amaco is good.

 

I spoke with a gas-tanker guy about this once (now, he was a gas-trucker, so take this for what its worth...)

BUT: He said the gas he delivers is IDENTICAL... He just adds some "addiditave" to it to make it "Texaco" or "Exxon" gas.

Kinda makes you wonder...

-- Aaron