MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post - What brand of gasoline are you putting in your MINI?

PaulC · Aug 29th, 2004, 04:07 AM

Thanks for the info on gas in Canada. Was curious what your thoughts might be on "Month of Power Maximum Performance Octane Booster" (see http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/030730.htm) as an additive to Optimax to boost octane (perhaps to level out poor consistency)?

Quote: Originally Posted by noahe

For the Greater Toronto, Ontario, Canada region:

Petro Canada will not disclose how much "Tactrol" they put in their gas. It is an oxygenate, but they won't say what kind. Since the MINI can only tolerate a certain amount, I've chosen to skip it.

Esso (Exxon) has the highest sulphur content of all the big chains. Skip it, the MINI has 2 cats, and a sophisticated (expensive) emissions system.

Sunoco's Ultra 94 usually contains more than 10% Ethanol. Infact, their brochures guarantee at least 10%. Bad. Next.

Shell's Optimax is a low oxygenate, clean fuel, but only 91 octane. This meets the minimum requirements of the car. Best we can hope for.

When we drove through the US, BP and Amoco had an "unoxygenated blend for european or older vehicles" which was ideal.

Fill up with anything if you're low - but TRY to fill up on a regular basis with the best fuel you can find. Remember, ALL USA and CANADA gas is terrrible. High sulphur, minimum refining standards, low octane, poor consistancy from tank-to-tank.

It IS good for the environment, but remember than Ethanol is Corn Alcohol, Methanol is Fermented Garbage Juice Alcohol, MTBE is very, very BAD stuff, and any co-solvents required to blend this stuff with the gasoline so it doesn't seperate like an oil/vinegar salad dressing is VERY harsh on your car's fuel system. Especially northern region cars, which have more soft rubber components to stay flexible when cold.

I actually emailed the major companies to enquire about the blends they use.

P.S. Harry, when it gets cold, DO NOT put the Petro-Can "Superclean Winter Gas" in your MINI. You don't even want to know what it contains.

A co-worker just bought a Porsche 911 Turbo X50, and the technicians that did the run-through told him to run Shell whenever he can, and NEVER fill up with Petro-Can.

Aug 29th, 2004, 04:07 AM	#20
PaulC MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Local Time: 08:32 PM Posts: 15 Offline	Additives Thanks for the info on gas in Canada. Was curious what your thoughts might be on "Month of Power Maximum Performance Octane Booster" (see http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/030730.htm) as an additive to Optimax to boost octane (perhaps to level out poor consistency)? Quote: Originally Posted by noahe For the Greater Toronto, Ontario, Canada region: Petro Canada will not disclose how much "Tactrol" they put in their gas. It is an oxygenate, but they won't say what kind. Since the MINI can only tolerate a certain amount, I've chosen to skip it. Esso (Exxon) has the highest sulphur content of all the big chains. Skip it, the MINI has 2 cats, and a sophisticated (expensive) emissions system. Sunoco's Ultra 94 usually contains more than 10% Ethanol. Infact, their brochures guarantee at least 10%. Bad. Next. Shell's Optimax is a low oxygenate, clean fuel, but only 91 octane. This meets the minimum requirements of the car. Best we can hope for. When we drove through the US, BP and Amoco had an "unoxygenated blend for european or older vehicles" which was ideal. Fill up with anything if you're low - but TRY to fill up on a regular basis with the best fuel you can find. Remember, ALL USA and CANADA gas is terrrible. High sulphur, minimum refining standards, low octane, poor consistancy from tank-to-tank. It IS good for the environment, but remember than Ethanol is Corn Alcohol, Methanol is Fermented Garbage Juice Alcohol, MTBE is very, very BAD stuff, and any co-solvents required to blend this stuff with the gasoline so it doesn't seperate like an oil/vinegar salad dressing is VERY harsh on your car's fuel system. Especially northern region cars, which have more soft rubber components to stay flexible when cold. I actually emailed the major companies to enquire about the blends they use. P.S. Harry, when it gets cold, DO NOT put the Petro-Can "Superclean Winter Gas" in your MINI. You don't even want to know what it contains. A co-worker just bought a Porsche 911 Turbo X50, and the technicians that did the run-through told him to run Shell whenever he can, and NEVER fill up with Petro-Can.