Shell Vs. Petro Canada

[Neil4Speed]

Sorry to start another gas related thread.

I have been using Petro Canada Premium since I have started driving. What has been enticing me was the 3.5c back that I get with my Petro Points card. However, after reading quite a bit of stuff on here, I notice that Petro Premium isn't very good - per Rage2 and others tests.

I have considered using Shell gas since I have heard some virtues of fuel milage that people have been getting. However, my question is - is there a 3.5c discount offering like Petro Canada, or is the pump price cheaper than Petro?

Air Miles vs Petro Points, I am sure air miles would probably work out better just since they are more versitile. Given my gas consumption though - both are pretty useless. Spending 2k in gas over a year will give me almost enough petro points to get a Thermos Mug :rolleyes: or 100 Airmiles or about 2-3 Carwashes :rolleyes:. Advantage with airmiles however is that I can earn them at allot of other places well.

[bulaian]

Esso Speedpass gives you 5 c off per litre and you can get either esso points or Aeroplan points

[benyl]

petro requires you to have a petro points card to get the discount. Shell gives the discount to everyone.

[arian_ma]

benyl, are you saying that Shell sells gas at an average of 3.5c cheaper than Petro always? If that is the case I am definitely switching over to Shell, and I'm sure Neil4Speed will be as well!

[QuasarCav]

My car backed the ignition timing down using Petro 91 octane. I don't like how they market the 3.5c discount as some Petro Canada perk when all the other gas stations either give it out for free out just remove it from the pump price without mentioning anything.

I only like there automated tire pressure stations.

[89coupe]

You might want to read this

http://www.performance-shop.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=51180.msg428990#msg428990

[arian_ma]

Originally posted by 89coupe
You might want to read this

http://www.performance-shop.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=51180.msg428990#msg428990
Thanks for the link, but I am still a bit confused. Everyone just seemed to bash gas in general in there. How much of the info is true? Can anyone confirm?

[89coupe]

Originally posted by arian_ma

Thanks for the link, but I am still a bit confused. Everyone just seemed to bash gas in general in there. How much of the info is true? Can anyone confirm?

Did you read Toma's post?

[msommers]

Go to co-op, it's the same gas as Esso.

[Neil4Speed]

Originally posted by arian_ma

Thanks for the link, but I am still a bit confused. Everyone just seemed to bash gas in general in there. How much of the info is true? Can anyone confirm?

I agree - maybe I am missing something but it came to the conclusion that gas in Calgary comes from either the Shell or Imperial plant with differences in addatives. Therefore in Rage2's octane tests (I can't find the fucking thread!) he found that that Petro 91 was actually lower than that.

Anyways, Esso has 5c off with Speedpass, Petro has 3.5c off with Petrocard, what is Shells offer if any?

[Palmiros]

I'd say go with Shell.. they have the tripple Airmile thing going on for Premium gas anyways. I've been using Shell Premium for the last few months, and can acknowledge better mileage on the same tank of gas, vs Safeway & Co-op.

[Quiet10]

I don't know if anybody else new this, but I found that at Shell on McKnight and Centre St N corner offers more discount off of gas prices than any other Shell I've been to. I think it was 5c and it's available to everybody. :dunno:

[89coupe]

LOL, the only cars that should be concerned about octaine levels are cars that have a custom tune that was done on a specific octane.

For anyone else running a factory car or a few bolt ons, it wont matter at all.

[teg_boya]

Originally posted by Quiet10
I don't know if anybody else new this, but I found that at Shell on McKnight and Centre St N corner offers more discount off of gas prices than any other Shell I've been to. I think it was 5c and it's available to everybody. :dunno:

it is the same thing for that esso on that corner as well, but it is only pay at the pump

[84 318i]

Originally posted by 89coupe
LOL, the only cars that should be concerned about octaine levels are cars that have a custom tune that was done on a specific octane.

For anyone else running a factory car or a few bolt ons, it wont matter at all.

Oh boy...

There is another octane thread active at the moment as well and the above simply isn't true... There are piles and piles of car that need premium stock to run properly.

[Altezza]

Originally posted by teg_boya


it is the same thing for that esso on that corner as well, but it is only pay at the pump

The sign changed at Esso to state a 2c discount only. Whether or not 5c is reflected at the pump, I have no idea. I fill at the Shell across the street and I noticed this just last week. Shell offers 5.5c discount.

[teg_boya]

Originally posted by Altezza


The sign changed at Esso to state a 2c discount only. Whether or not 5c is reflected at the pump, I have no idea. I fill at the Shell across the street and I noticed this just last week. Shell offers 5.5c discount.

Oh, okay your are most likely right. I have not been in that area for a while but when i used to work around there a half year ago there was a 5c a liter discount making it one of my favorite places to fill.

[dino_martini]

Safeway will give 7 cents off a liter when you spend $35 or more on groceries and use your safeway club card.

I dont know how good the gas is though, but the SAAB hasnt had any issues with Safeway Premium :dunno:

[Neil4Speed]

Originally posted by 89coupe
LOL, the only cars that should be concerned about octaine levels are cars that have a custom tune that was done on a specific octane.

For anyone else running a factory car or a few bolt ons, it wont matter at all.

This is not correct. On a performance car with major aftermarket work the effects of a poor quality premium will be more pronounced however, on a regular car which requires premium fuel the fuel that has the proper octane will provide additional mileage (in my case making it more cost effective to put in Premium vs Regular)

On a related note, I think I am going to move to shell if they are offering simmilar price discounts + 3X airmiles + Better milage.

Thanks for the help.

[89coupe]

Originally posted by 84 318i


Oh boy...

There is another octane thread active at the moment as well and the above simply isn't true... There are piles and piles of car that need premium stock to run properly.

What I meant was, buying premium at one pump vs another pump won't make a difference.

The only guys that should be concerned are guys with custom tunes that were tuned on a specific octane.

Your little popfart Honda with a few bolt-ons wont notice a difference.

[badatusrnames]

Someone needs to buy an octane tester...

[Neil4Speed]

Originally posted by 89coupe


What I meant was, buying premium at one pump vs another pump won't make a difference.

The only guys that should be concerned are guys with custom tunes that were tuned on a specific octane.



I see, I might test this out especially since posters have mentioned getting more mileage out of shell rather than other brands

[89coupe]

Originally posted by Neil4Speed


I see, I might test this out especially since posters have mentioned getting more mileage out of shell rather than other brands

How can you take any of those comments seriously?

Did they drive in the exact same conditions, on the exact same roads, at the exact same time of day at the exact same speed?

LOL, its rediculous to even mention it.

[msommers]

89coupe I agree. The only difference you MIGHT notice is when you normally get ~600km a tank and now you're getting 500. And even still, it depends on a lot of shit: a/c, driving style, highway vs. city drivng and so on. It's very difficult to do a test like this unless it was on a track using cruise control with no wind all day.

[arian_ma]

Originally posted by 89coupe


What I meant was, buying premium at one pump vs another pump won't make a difference.

The only guys that should be concerned are guys with custom tunes that were tuned on a specific octane.

Your little popfart Honda with a few bolt-ons wont notice a difference.

I don't understand what the hell you mean by this statement. Why would a car that is tuned to use 91 octane be affected by filling up with shitty gas and a factory car which has been tuned from the factory to run on 91 octane gas not be affected? I can assure you that I have run shitty gas in my Honda Prelude before which is a "popfart Honda with a few bolt-ons" as you so beautifully put it and I absolutely noticed a difference, loss in power, engine knock, and even at it's worst my car did not start at all. So I beg to differ on your statement.


Originally posted by 89coupe


How can you take any of those comments seriously?

Did they drive in the exact same conditions, on the exact same roads, at the exact same time of day at the exact same speed?

LOL, its rediculous to even mention it.
I also disagree with this statement. I have consistently gotten between 23-24 MPG in my car filling up on Petro for over 18 months now when city driving (Give or take one or two tanks within that time). So if I fill up in shell and get 26 MPG, doesn't that say something?

[Neil4Speed]

Originally posted by msommers
89coupe I agree. The only difference you MIGHT notice is when you normally get ~600km a tank and now you're getting 500. And even still, it depends on a lot of shit: a/c, driving style, highway vs. city drivng and so on. It's very difficult to do a test like this unless it was on a track using cruise control with no wind all day.

I agree, it would be virtually impossible to give a reasonable and accurate answer over a single gas tank. However after an extended period of time over the same season, it would be quite easy to tell which provided the greatest yield of mileage.

Fair enough, it would be virutually impossible to give an accurate quantative value on the increased mileage attained without having a completely controlled circumstance as you outlined in your example. However, if numerous people seem to get better mileage on a certain brand of gasoline – wouldn’t you choose that brand if the price was the same (or better as I am seeing in this thread) and both were of equal convenience?

The gain for me would be nominal (I drive only about 15k a year), probably $50-100, however, consider you were interested in making contract with a certain gasoline retail station for a small delivery fleet – that knowledge could be of use!

[89coupe]

Originally posted by arian_ma


I don't understand what the hell you mean by this statement. Why would a car that is tuned to use 91 octane be affected by filling up with shitty gas and a factory car which has been tuned from the factory to run on 91 octane gas not be affected? I can assure you that I have run shitty gas in my Honda Prelude before which is a "popfart Honda with a few bolt-ons" as you so beautifully put it and I absolutely noticed a difference, loss in power, engine knock, and even at it's worst my car did not start at all. So I beg to differ on your statement.


I also disagree with this statement. I have consistently gotten between 23-24 MPG in my car filling up on Petro for over 18 months now when city driving (Give or take one or two tanks within that time). So if I fill up in shell and get 26 MPG, doesn't that say something?

I'm sorry that you can't understand. LOL
:rofl:

[Mckenzie]

^ Hey Neil- FYI my dad's 92 legend has been running on regular since 50k kms when he bought it and it just hit like 430k!:eek:

When I drove it, I noticed no sluggishness or changes in performance- you may want to consider throwing regular in teh ole legend to save a few bucks.

:thumbsup:

[BokCh0y]

Originally posted by benyl
petro requires you to have a petro points card to get the discount. Shell gives the discount to everyone.

:werd:


Originally posted by arian_ma
benyl, are you saying that Shell sells gas at an average of 3.5c cheaper than Petro always? If that is the case I am definitely switching over to Shell, and I'm sure Neil4Speed will be as well!

Shell and Esso discount at the pump. Whereas P.Can discounts at the till when you use the P.Can Points card.

You can drive to an Esso or Shell, fill up and still received 3.5c off regardless. They don't require loyalty like P.Can does.


Originally posted by msommers
Go to co-op, it's the same gas as Esso.

I heard it's Shell gas. Guess it just depends on who you talk to and which Coop Station.

Regardless whether it's Shell or Esso, the Coop gas doesn't have the same additives as Shell or Esso does. So from what I understand it isn't entirely the same thing.


Originally posted by Neil4Speed
Sorry to start another gas related thread.

I have been using Petro Canada Premium since I have started driving. What has been enticing me was the 3.5c back that I get with my Petro Points card. However, after reading quite a bit of stuff on here, I notice that Petro Premium isn't very good - per Rage2 and others tests.

I have considered using Shell gas since I have heard some virtues of fuel milage that people have been getting. However, my question is - is there a 3.5c discount offering like Petro Canada, or is the pump price cheaper than Petro?

Air Miles vs Petro Points, I am sure air miles would probably work out better just since they are more versitile. Given my gas consumption though - both are pretty useless. Spending 2k in gas over a year will give me almost enough petro points to get a Thermos Mug :rolleyes: or 100 Airmiles or about 2-3 Carwashes :rolleyes:. Advantage with airmiles however is that I can earn them at allot of other places well.

I use Esso on both my cars and the mileage and power are way better than that of P.Can. i also use Shell occasionally and prefer Shell to be honest....not because of their gayass airmiles, but because they have the best fuel out there IMO. But finding a station in a residential area is a nightmare.

In terms of Airmiles, P.Can Points and Esso's Aeroplan Miles, I'd rather have the Aeroplan Miles over both the other two. Air Miles in my opionion are useless, takes forever to accumulate. Shell gives 1 point for the first $20 and additional 1 point for every $15.

Aeroplan gives you 1 mile for every $3.

P.Can....I don't even use their non-touchless carwash. So the points are useless for me unless i want to drop 5000 points on washer fluid.

Your best bet is Shell or Esso.

[Xtrema]

Shell FTW if you're going for premium. I always get more mileage and smoother idle with Shell V-Power. Center & McKnight is the cheapest Shell station in town.

If you're not doing premium, any gas with an occasional fuel injector cleaner will do. Most of the time I fuel up @ Superstore because that's the most convenient location for me (cheaper premium and 7c back doesn't hurt either).

[gpomp]

i get the best mileage from shell. i used to use esso until i found that out.

[riced]

so when we ae talking about the mileage, is it shell gas in general or only the premium grade? or all grades?

I, too have been using Petro for about 4 years now, when I heard the funk about getting better mileage with shell, I decided to go ahead and try.
I recently just emptied my tank and filled up with shell's basic grade. I guess time will tell whether or not it will give better mileage. I'm guessing it will take another fill up to completely get rid of Petro's gas.

[gpomp]

not sure about regular grade. all my cars need 91.

[Neil4Speed]

Just a follow up on my original thread. After making this thread, I filled with Shell for a couple of months and found that got about 50 extra km for every 60L filled (~580km). Pretty decent I think!

Recently I found a preferred price card that I had from Petro Canada and decided to give it a go just to save a few bucks. About a week and half in I found that my gas light was coming on, quite a bit earlier than usual and I was getting the old mileage again (~515-520km)

From my experience, I get better mileage from V-power Shell. Plus, Airmiles are better for me than Petro-Points.

[Kobe]

GFY Petro-Canada I saved for the 135,000points to get the $100 gift card to find out they raised the price, in the process 1 of the cashiers ripped me off 5,000points and bought a case of water with it, and then said it was my fault....

[Amysicle]

Originally posted by Kobe
GFY Petro-Canada I saved for the 135,000points to get the $100 gift card to find out they raised the price, in the process 1 of the cashiers ripped me off 5,000points and bought a case of water with it, and then said it was my fault.... If you have the receipt, take it up with someone higher. The manager or even head office.

[i.RSX]

Hey guys, sorry to dig up a super old thread but I was wondering what the situation is with Shell, PCan and Esso now. I know Esso gives 1.5c off with their speedpass. PCan only gives points with their Petro-Card right? What are some discounts that people are getting these days? I also use my MBNA MC to get 5% cashback (will go down to 3% in a few months).

I recently switched my RSX Type S over to PetroCan because I get a HUGE boost in mileage: from 620km to 710km per tank of 45L (I'm SERIOUS!). Yes, I'm a mild hypermiler, I go easy on the gas =). I really want to switch over to Shell for a couple months to see if I can get even better mileage as many people have seen. Just wondering whether there are any discounts available. I don't really care for air-miles. I currently use my Petro points (and old Esso points) for windshield washer fluids.

[sillysod]

I buy gas for the Passat and work vehicle (Frontier) from Superstore because I get back superbucks for groceries. For my A4 I run Shell. But the Audi uses maybe a tank every 3 months because it's tucked away in the garage most of the time.

If you aren't running a tune then superstore gas on a Presidents Choice credit card gets you a lot of free groceries. We have a Western Star picker truck at work that I run sometimes and when I fill it up it's always min $10.00 in superbucks.

[i.RSX]

Originally posted by sillysod
I buy gas for the Passat and work vehicle (Frontier) from Superstore because I get back superbucks for groceries. For my A4 I run Shell. But the Audi uses maybe a tank every 3 months because it's tucked away in the garage most of the time.

If you aren't running a tune then superstore gas on a Presidents Choice credit card gets you a lot of free groceries. We have a Western Star picker truck at work that I run sometimes and when I fill it up it's always min $10.00 in superbucks.

Yea, it's definitely a lot of savings. Only problem is that our family runs a restaurant so I basically buy 0 groceries. I probably wouldn't be able to take advantage of all the superbucks.

[yipb]

Originally posted by i.RSX
Hey guys, sorry to dig up a super old thread but I was wondering what the situation is with Shell, PCan and Esso now. I know Esso gives 1.5c off with their speedpass. PCan only gives points with their Petro-Card right? What are some discounts that people are getting these days? I also use my MBNA MC to get 5% cashback (will go down to 3% in a few months).

I recently switched my RSX Type S over to PetroCan because I get a HUGE boost in mileage: from 620km to 710km per tank of 45L (I'm SERIOUS!). Yes, I'm a mild hypermiler, I go easy on the gas =). I really want to switch over to Shell for a couple months to see if I can get even better mileage as many people have seen. Just wondering whether there are any discounts available. I don't really care for air-miles. I currently use my Petro points (and old Esso points) for windshield washer fluids.

620km to 710km?....

can i ask you what you have done to your car/year/mileage?

i run 91 shell in my type s.... i average between 475ish(spirited)-525(normal) i never seen above 550....

[i.RSX]

Originally posted by yipb


620km to 710km?....

can i ask you what you have done to your car/year/mileage?

i run 91 shell in my type s.... i average between 475ish(spirited)-525(normal) i never seen above 550....

Yea, 620-ish with Esso, >700 with PetroCan. These are like 95% (by distance) on the highway though. I've also checked that my odometer is not broken using those AMA signs on the highway as well as my in-dash GPS and my iPhone GPS.

Everything is stock in my car, but I'm thinking of putting in an Injen CAI, which should improve mileage (and of course overall performance).

When I first inherited the car from my brother, I got around 550km on a tank of gas (can't remember which brand at the time).

Anyway, I could go into all the details of how I hypermile but basically it's all about anticipation. Anticipate lights, cars in front, cars around you, etc. This is to prevent unnecessary (and sudden) braking. Once you get used to it it becomes second nature. Also, I usually ride in neutral on a downhill, that probably helps. I don't turn off my engine at red lights, I just don't like the feeling of stopping and starting my engine so much. Also, keep a good distance between yourself and the car in front so that when you anticipate cars slowing down in front you can throw it in neutral and let your car slow down that way rather than braking.

I'm still learning really. By the way, some say riding in neutral is bad because it's not safe...is this true?

Also, please don't think I'm wasting my car's potential. I love a spirited drive and I often take corners fairly hard. I just try to keep the gas bill down when I'm just driving to work and back.

[i.RSX]

So nobody? I guess Shell doesn't have any kind of discounts eh.

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by i.RSX
So nobody? I guess Shell doesn't have any kind of discounts eh.

No. But doesn't hurt to try a few tanks right? Royalty discount is less than 2% from other brand anyway. So if you even 10 to 20 km more per tank, it's worth the switch.

[J-hop]

Originally posted by i.RSX
So nobody? I guess Shell doesn't have any kind of discounts eh.

haven't compared the prices lately but when I first got a petro card (about 8 years ago), petro gas was around 3 cents more expensive than the COOP by my house, so you really didn't save anything (maybe half a cent/L, big deal).

Anyone know when gas stations switched off winter gas?? I've been seeing all these " I switched gas stations and picked up 50km per tank" threads for the last few months. Maybe some companies are halting winter gas shipments earlier than others??? just a thought....

[i.RSX]

Originally posted by J-hop


haven't compared the prices lately but when I first got a petro card (about 8 years ago), petro gas was around 3 cents more expensive than the COOP by my house, so you really didn't save anything (maybe half a cent/L, big deal).

Anyone know when gas stations switched off winter gas?? I've been seeing all these " I switched gas stations and picked up 50km per tank" threads for the last few months. Maybe some companies are halting winter gas shipments earlier than others??? just a thought....

What's winter gas? I did switch to PetroCan around a month ago...do you think that's the reason for the increased mileage? hmmm...

*EDIT* OMG...I had no idea about this winter gas thing. I just thought all my lost mileage was due to winter conditions (slow driving, lots of electronics and heating, etc). Apparently you could lose 5-14% from the fuel alone! Alright, probably going to try out Shell for 3-4 tanks and then Esso again.

[Onassis]

Chevron + Save on card > All

It's just a shame they don't have them in Alberta :cry:

Does anyone know why ?

[i.RSX]

Yea, apparently they have them in Vancouver? Wiki says they have stations in "Western Canada"...

Anyhow, apparently Shell is doing a 20 air miles (!!!) for $50 worth of premium gas from now until July 24. Sounds like a good opportunity for me to try it out. By the way, 20 air miles is a ridiculous amount. Normally you get like 2 miles for $50 worth of gas. Perspective wise, 175 air miles gets you a $20 gas card.

[KAVIE]

I don’t have any knowledge about pricing, rebates, or credit cards but can tell you a thing or two about quality. Every 2 years the government measures the consistency of quality for gasoline for all the majors, for the past decade Imperial has always ranked #1 with Shell as a close second.
In Alberta, if you’re filling at Shell or Esso the gasoline could have been provided by either company depending on the month, location and simply refinery production. The reason I would personally fill up at Shell vs Imperial since Shell uses less ethanol and doesn’t produce enough regular gas, thus they blend more premium in their regular grade. In fact Shell meets the Alberta ethanol mandate by only blending in Edmonton, currently there is no ethanol in Shell Calgary gas.
Safeway, Coop, negotiate term supply from all the majors, wholesalers, brokers therefore could be supplied by just about anyone.
In western Canada the majority of Chevron’s gas comes from the USA thus produced at a higher octane but lower RVP thus more ethanol being added, which tends to make me nervous. Lastly Husky being such a cluster fook, I wouldn’t be caught dead filling up there.
That being said, all gasoline is obviously held to tight standards and at the pump regardless of which grade you fill, you will always get a mixture of premium (uplift). Octane, RVP or any measurement device won’t work as testing is quite the scientific process (Google CAN CGSB) and the quality standard is only required at the truck rack, not the retail station.

[derpderp]

To be honest, I go with Petro-Canada because its owned by Suncor thus a Canadian company, I am not normally a protectionist type but I'd rather keep my money in the local economy and in the oil projects here. I don't run 91 though.

[i.RSX]

I read somewhere that Suncor is actually American owned now though. Not sure if that's true.

[derpderp]

Originally posted by i.RSX
I read somewhere that Suncor is actually American owned now though. Not sure if that's true.

Hmmm.

Wikipedia says: Suncor Energy Inc. is a Canadian integrated energy company based in Calgary, Alberta. It specializes in production of synthetic crude from oil sands. Suncor ranks number 159 in the Forbes Global 2000 list.

In North America, Suncor develops and produces oil and natural gas in Western Canada, Colorado, and offshore drilling in eastern Canada. Its international efforts include offshore developments in the North Sea, and conventional, land-based efforts in Libya, Syria and Trinidad and Tobago. Suncor operates refineries in Edmonton, AB; Sarnia, ON; Montreal, QC and Commerce City, Colorado. These refineries supply industrial, retail and commercial consumers.

I can't seem to find any information indicating that Suncor is owned by an American corporation.

[i.RSX]

No idea. Maybe that guy was just making stuff up -____-;;;

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by i.RSX


*EDIT* OMG...I had no idea about this winter gas thing. I just thought all my lost mileage was due to winter conditions (slow driving, lots of electronics and heating, etc). Apparently you could lose 5-14% from the fuel alone! Alright, probably going to try out Shell for 3-4 tanks and then Esso again.

If you check my fuelly icon below, you'll see that I lose around 2 mpg from oct to Apr. That probably a good indication when the blend was changed for Shell.