- #132 of 179
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Re: Portable GPS [ecotrklvr]
by diva2008
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Sep 30, 2008 (6:40 pm)
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Replying to: ecotrklvr (Sep 30, 2008 7:28 am)
Thank you for the information provided. Please do not get it wrong I LOVE MY CAR!!! I waited for the remodel to come out. I am a native New Yorker who hates public transportation and I was without a car for nine months awaiting the arrival of the 09 Matrix. I purchased my car in Massachusetts because the tri-state region (NY, NJ, CT) did not offer the options I wanted. This is how much I wanted the Matrix. I just need to get it on the road to see how well it does mileage wise on the highway. Stop and start traffic in New York City is giving me about 20mpg. I was using BP gas, now I am trying Exxon/Mobil. I did hear however that Sunoco and Gulf may be better - any thoughts?
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- #133 of 179
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Re: Portable GPS [diva2008]
by captain2
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Oct 01, 2008 (6:31 am)
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Replying to: diva2008 (Sep 30, 2008 6:40 pm)
Gas branding remains one of the greatest marketing scams ever foisted on the American people - there is no real difference between gas brands despite what they might want you to believe.
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- #134 of 179
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What a gas
by ecotrklvr
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Oct 01, 2008 (10:11 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (Oct 01, 2008 6:31 am)
Glad to see that some folks can use whatever gas they can find locally and be happy with it. With respect, my experience has been very different. Here in So Cal, Arco sells the lowest-price name-brand local brew. I've tried it with several cars, and have always gone back to Chevron, Shell, or even Exxon/Mobil. Remember, what you are pumping into your tank is a mixture of several things - gasoline, along with various blends of additives that change thru the year in many states. Also, my experience is that Chevron's Techron is the real deal.
I do agree that switching brands to get higher mileage is probably not going to get you much, if anything. Better to read up on the techniques that will help you drive your car for better mileage. And do not waste money buying Premium. Neither the 18L or 2.4L in the Matrix will be able to make better mileage with higher octane fuel. It may even lower the mileage.
You've made a great selection. Drive it easy for he first 500 miles or so. Read link title. Don't panic when your mileage drops in a month or so when the gas gets "enhanced" with ethanol. We all suffer when that happens. Oh - and enjoy the ride.
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- #135 of 179
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Re: What a gas [ecotrklvr]
by captain2
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Oct 01, 2008 (2:33 pm)
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Replying to: ecotrklvr (Oct 01, 2008 10:11 am)
so I'm guessing you are biting into all the BS about these 'additives' really making any significant difference?? Gas as it is pumped into all branded and unbranded delivery trucks (and before actual delivery to any station) is identical in all respects.If you think something like Techron makes a difference it probably does - to you - that's why they spend all the money promoting it.
Whether that 'Techron' actually is anything of value is another discussion entirely.My contention is that while it might possibly keep a fuel injector cleaner a bit longer it certainly will have no effect on how economically (or powerfully) your engine runs. It's only Chevron (or whoever) that would like you to think it does.
As far as octane increasing FE you are likely spot on - those of us saddled with E10 ethanol (EPA regs) (instead of MTBE) will definitely suffer from lower FE despite generally higher octane ratings on all grades of 'gas'.
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- #136 of 179
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Matrix sidetrack
by ecotrklvr
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Oct 01, 2008 (5:38 pm)
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Replying to: captain2 (Oct 01, 2008 2:33 pm)
I'm not biting into anything. I've had repeated experiences that you haven't had. Tried Arco gas, car ran bad. Went back to Shell, and it ran fine. 3 different cars, 2 different Arco stations, years apart, same story (had to try - it's 10-15 cents less a gallon). So I don't use it any more. Conclusion - all gas is not the same. Same story from many of my friends on Arco, too. Know anyone in California? Call 'em and ask 'em.
So, do you have any experience with Arco? Or just belief in your theory that "all gas is the same"?
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- #137 of 179
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Re: Matrix sidetrack [ecotrklvr]
by captain2
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Oct 02, 2008 (6:13 am)
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Replying to: ecotrklvr (Oct 01, 2008 5:38 pm)
not really a theory at all - the fact is that ALL gas comes from the same storage tanks and/or pipelines regardless of who's brandname happens to be on the truck - any thing that might make anything actually different is then only in some additive (you mentioned the nebulous 'Techron') that may or may not be added to the gas after it is pumped into the truck. All gas IS the same simply because it all comes from the same place.
Whether or not you think it runs differently in your particular experience is kinda inconsequential - the fact remains that the Gas itself is the same, it HAS to be. I do further suggest that advertising can be a powerful thing - whether or not some minor (and likely non-existent and inconsequential) additive has any real effect just might be a self fulfilling prophecy, it (the additives) are only something that Chevron (in this case) is hoping will make you think it is different thereby keeping you coming back for more.
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- #138 of 179
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Re: Matrix sidetrack [captain2]
by ecotrklvr
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Oct 02, 2008 (8:01 pm)
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Replying to: captain2 (Oct 02, 2008 6:13 am)
Captain 2 - I've stated some facts, based on my personal experience, and have arrived at a conclusion. You have given us no facts, only a conclusion, which you call a fact. Please tell us how you know about all the country's oil refineries, pipelines, and storage tanks. Please tell us your observations and facts that lead you to this conclusion. I agree that there are lots of marketing types that make WAYYY more money than I do that are expert at making the sizzle seem more important than the quality of the steak. So let's talk about the steak. You in the oil biz?
How did Chevron obtain a patent for Techron if it's "nebulous" (your term)?
Why have many oil companies not been able to achieve Top Tier link title status for their gasoline, but a few top companies have? Do you realize that the EPA sets levels of additives in our gasoline, and that these levels change thru the year? link title And that they have changed many times, and will change again and again?
Called anyone who has ever used Arco gas?
And please tell me why we are writing about something other than the Toyota Matrix here? I'm done.
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- #139 of 179
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Re: Matrix sidetrack [ecotrklvr]
by captain2
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Oct 03, 2008 (10:19 am)
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Replying to: ecotrklvr (Oct 02, 2008 8:01 pm)
yep , just like you I have determined that based on my personal experience that there is No difference between gas brands. And this only based on about 40 years and probably ovber a million miles. The Fact, I use is indeed one - gas refining and production is highly regulated and distributed from common sources pretty much all over the planet. There can not be any difference simply because it all comes form the same place.
Can't argue anything about Arco, in particular, since we don't have those stations down here in Texas, although it is not logical that it could be any better or worse simply because initially it comes from the same place as that Chevron gas you seem to like so much. I, for one, would not hesitate to buy Arco or any other 'brand' of gas if the price is right.
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- #140 of 179
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Re: Matrix sidetrack [captain2]
by ecotrklvr
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Oct 03, 2008 (7:59 pm)
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Replying to: captain2 (Oct 03, 2008 10:19 am)
I get it - you know, because you've never had any trouble, so no one else does, or every will, anywhere. It's logic, I suppose. Of a kind.
Anything at all to write about the Toyota Matrix? I like it. You? What do you drive? And what brand(s) of gas do you buy?
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- #141 of 179
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Re: Matrix sidetrack [ecotrklvr]
by nippononly
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Oct 05, 2008 (7:53 pm)
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Replying to: ecotrklvr (Oct 03, 2008 7:59 pm)
I'm curious, anyone out there have the AWD? And if so, did you test drive it back to back with either of the Subaru wagons, the Outback or Impreza? I would love to know your impressions of differences between the two if so.
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