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| [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116370] |
Thu, 24 February 2011 13:26  |
Gary Worobec
Messages: 867
Registered: May 2005
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A couple of things I've considered.
1. Towd, it costs me about 10 cents a mile to tow the Tracker. On a destination trip like a rally, I'm going to rent a car when I get there. It was silly for us to tow the Tracker from LA to Pueblo for last years GMCI when I could have rented something from Enterprise for 30 bucks a day. Also, I think all ( yes, all) GMC'ers are responsible people. I would have no hesitation in letting someone use my towd here on the west coast if we are at a rally where I have the Tracker.
2. Swaps,I have a nice running well kept coach. If could find someone on the east coach with same, I would gladly do a swap for a week or two to explore the east coast, they could fly west and do the same. It's not like they would be unfamiliar with what to be on the lookout for. I cannot see Joanne and I taking the coach to the east coast even if gas prices dropped significantly.
3. Keep tires at optimum pressures
4. I do believe a lower FD makes sense/$cents. We went from the OEM 3.07 to a 3.55 and I definitely picked up some mileage.
5. Don't drive in traffic. If in a big city like LA plan your trip to avoid sitting in traffic. You can see the gas gauge fall with all the starting and stopping. The secondaries are just inhaling fuel.
6. Fuel injection, the jury is still out on that for us. I will say that considering we live at 4500 ft and you can't get anywhere west of the Rockies without some major climbs up and down I'm hoping that at least I'll be able to pick up some mpg on the all the climbing we do. If we lived in the Midwest, Texas, even the Southeast I don;t know if I would have dropped the cash I have into this FI system.
7. I don;t know much about the difference in the quality of the gas that comes out of a Shell or Chevron pump as opposed to what "Fast Willy's Discount Gas" sells. So while you might see a .$.25 cent difference can someone tell me if it's safe to use this stuff or if it is inferior does it reduce mpg to where the Shell and Chevron prices are a trade off?
Just some ramblings.
Thanks
Gary and Joanne Worobec
1973 GMC Glacier
Anza, CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116371 is a reply to message #116370] |
Thu, 24 February 2011 13:48  |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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I can't even begin to answer some of these but I'll give you a partial answer on the last one. Regarding discount gas versus brand names. When I was in h.s. in the late 90s I pumped gas in NJ at a beach resort for a summer job. I used to watch the tanker truck stop at the Mobil, Marathon and then my station, the cheapest around, Coastal. Same truck, same route, same gas. Since we were last, I guess you could say we got whatever was left in the bottom of the truck tank, but it didn't matter. I can promise you I didn't go out after the guy left and add any other detergents or chemicals to differentiate our brand, and neither did the tanker guy.
Now whether Shell, Mobil, or Chevron are different from each other, I don't know. But, I'll bet that the truck that runs to your local Shell station probably also has a few non-Shell stops, the same with the others. For my money, there isn't much difference between the gas stations. I don't get better mileage, cleaner running, or less shaking in any vehicle.
I did get bad gas once from an Exxon, or at least that's what the dealer said when I brought in my late model SUV that would barely start, rough idle, and cut off at stoplights all of a sudden. And I also got bad gas once from a local no-brand station in FL in my 2006 HHR. Same symptoms, same diagnosis from the dealer. Thankfully, neither of these happened in my GMC or far from home.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116374 is a reply to message #116370] |
Thu, 24 February 2011 14:20 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Gary,
Unfortunately the GMCMI discount has gone away, however, last year when I
was heading for the USA I stayed in a Super 8 motel in Humble, Texas while I
was getting Double Trouble out of mothballs.
In my reservation confirmation was the link below; which gave me a discount
of 5% discount.
http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?bid=002&cust=WYNCPS8&cm_
mmc=Wyndam-_-Super8-_-WYNCPS8-_-Null
http://tinyurl.com/4o2yoxd
Before I left to drive over to Jim B's shop I tried it to make a reservation
over in Orlando and it worked!
Before we got to DuQuoin I used it to rent a car there too!
When I got back to Humble in October it worked again.
I just clicked on it now and it still works!
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Gary Worobec
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 6:26 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings
A couple of things I've considered.
1. Towd, it costs me about 10 cents a mile to tow the Tracker. On a
destination trip like a rally, I'm going to rent a car when I get there. It
was silly for us to tow the Tracker from LA to Pueblo for last years GMCI
when I could have rented something from Enterprise for 30 bucks a day. Also,
I think all ( yes, all) GMC'ers are responsible people. I would have no
hesitation in letting someone use my towd here on the west coast if we are
at a rally where I have the Tracker.
2. Swaps,I have a nice running well kept coach. If could find someone on the
east coach with same, I would gladly do a swap for a week or two to explore
the east coast, they could fly west and do the same. It's not like they
would be unfamiliar with what to be on the lookout for. I cannot see Joanne
and I taking the coach to the east coast even if gas prices dropped
significantly.
3. Keep tires at optimum pressures
4. I do believe a lower FD makes sense/$cents. We went from the OEM 3.07 to
a 3.55 and I definitely picked up some mileage.
5. Don't drive in traffic. If in a big city like LA plan your trip to avoid
sitting in traffic. You can see the gas gauge fall with all the starting and
stopping. The secondaries are just inhaling fuel.
6. Fuel injection, the jury is still out on that for us. I will say that
considering we live at 4500 ft and you can't get anywhere west of the
Rockies without some major climbs up and down I'm hoping that at least I'll
be able to pick up some mpg on the all the climbing we do. If we lived in
the Midwest, Texas, even the Southeast I don;t know if I would have dropped
the cash I have into this FI system.
7. I don;t know much about the difference in the quality of the gas that
comes out of a Shell or Chevron pump as opposed to what "Fast Willy's
Discount Gas" sells. So while you might see a .$.25 cent difference can
someone tell me if it's safe to use this stuff or if it is inferior does it
reduce mpg to where the Shell and Chevron prices are a trade off?
Just some ramblings.
Thanks
Gary and Joanne Worobec
1973 GMC Glacier
Anza, CA
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116376 is a reply to message #116371] |
Thu, 24 February 2011 14:23 |
Tim Conway
Messages: 412
Registered: September 2005
Location: Long Island, New York
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Feb 24, 2011, at 2:48 PM, Jeremy wrote:
> I used to watch the tanker truck stop at the Mobil, Marathon and
> then my station, the cheapest around, Coastal. Same truck, same
> route, same gas. Since we were last, I guess you could say we got
> whatever was left in the bottom of the truck tank, but it didn't
> matter. I can promise you I didn't go out after the guy left and
> add any other detergents or chemicals to differentiate our brand,
> and neither did the tanker guy.
The large tankers are frequently compartmented to as many as six,
rarely more to increase delivery options, such as grades, additives etc.
http://www.petroleumhistory.org/OilHistory/images/trucks/filling.jpg
Tim Conway
LI NY 78 PB
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| Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116380 is a reply to message #116376] |
Thu, 24 February 2011 15:00 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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He had 4 if I remember right. 87, 89 ??, 93 octane, and maybe diesel. We didn't have diesel, so I don't know if that was the fourth. I'm also not positive there was an actual 89, though I believe there was. I don't remember him doing some kind of math to combine the 87 and 93 to make 89 at the station, so I'm assuming he had an actual 89 compartment. But even if he had 6, he had 3 different gas stations with 3 grades. Someone was sharing. Of course, if he didn't have an 89, then 6 compartments for 3 stations would make sense.
To my recollection, he had 4, and one of them was 89. Unless he could dispense different out of the same spigot, in other words more compartments than spigots, I'll stick with my original "same truck, same gas" idea.
Of course, we've identified enough holes that I could be wrong at this point.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116381 is a reply to message #116374] |
Thu, 24 February 2011 15:06 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Around here ALL Gasoline and Diesel comes from one of two refineries no matter what brand it is sold under. 72% of our fuel 405,000 bpd) comes from BP-Amoco in Whiting, Indiana. The other 28% (160,000 bpd) comes from the old Pure Oil refinery in Joliet, IL. I believe Exon-Mobil owns it now.
They have changed all gasoline haulers to a private company so the truck are no longer painted with a brand. A tank truck can pull into any brand station without upsetting the retail customers. Flying J is the exception. They always hauled their own from the same refineries so their trucks are still painted as FlyingJ. That may have changed since Pilot (Mayor of Knoxville's family) bought FlyingJ.
One last note. When the fuel is mixed with alcohol it is done at the refinery just prior to shipment out in the tank truck. Only certain refineries and terminals are equipped with the equipment to mix the fuel. Alcohol blended fuel can not be shipped in pipelines.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116383 is a reply to message #116380] |
Thu, 24 February 2011 15:11 |
Tim Conway
Messages: 412
Registered: September 2005
Location: Long Island, New York
Karma: 0
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On Feb 24, 2011, at 4:00 PM, Jeremy wrote:
> To my recollection, he had 4, and one of them was 89. Unless he
> could dispense different out of the same spigot, in other words
> more compartments than spigots, I'll stick with my original "same
> truck, same gas" idea.
>
> Of course, we've identified enough holes that I could be wrong at
> this point.
I have no idea. I've heard they all get the same gas from the
terminals and just use additives (or not) and different names on the
stations. My Turbo S New Beetle requires premium gas and when I have
a choice I prefer to use AMOCO or Shell. Maybe just kidding myself,
but there is a little brand loyalty involved. Back in my Hot Rodding
days AMOCO premium was widely considered to be the best around here
and Shell, I'm a Ferrari F1 fan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFlaNJALet4
Tim Conway
LI NY 78 PB
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| Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116387 is a reply to message #116382] |
Thu, 24 February 2011 15:37 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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| C Boyd wrote on Thu, 24 February 2011 15:09 |
That may have changed since Pilot (Mayor of Knoxville's family) bought FlyingJ.
Ken: He is now the Governor of Tennessee..
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Did the gas price come down any in Tennessee now that he is Gov?
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116391 is a reply to message #116380] |
Thu, 24 February 2011 15:57 |
jtblank
Messages: 237
Registered: June 2007
Location: Tulare, CA
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Here in California mid-grade fuel is mixed at the pump, half premium and half regular. The retailer storage is only the two grades and the pumps mix on delivery into the vehicle. As far as whose gas is the best? They all come from the "rack" which is the wholesale delivery point to tankers that fill-up to deliver to the retailer, it is at this point that, ethanol, techron or what ever additive is put into the tanker before the fuel is loaded and mixes on filling and going down the road. The only difference between varying brands is the additive which is like a quart of additive to 10K gallons fuel and the alcohol 10%-15% by volume depending upon local requirements. What makes the difference is that small amount of additive that proprietary in nature and what makes one snake oil better than someone else's.
John Blankenship
'76 Palm Beach
Tulare, CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116424 is a reply to message #116392] |
Thu, 24 February 2011 20:48 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I was discussing the current situation with a driver from Conner. Conner is the company that delivers all of the fuel coming this way from the BP refinery in Whiting, IN. He told me he delivers to all brands of stations. Everything coming out of there is 10% ethanol. It makes no difference if it is delivered to a station in an EPA compliant or non-compliant county.
He knows where the load is going before he picks it up. He told me on occasion they will take a load out to a station and the tanks are not empty enough to accept it all. Rather than take the remainder back, they want to unload it ASAP. Their dispatcher will call around to other stations and ask if they can take it off of their hands. It makes no difference to them what brand station they deliver the remaining fuel to. It is all the same to them.
He also told me they try to group smaller orders together so they can deliver to several small stations in one trip. Large stations will take the entire truck load.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116462 is a reply to message #116452] |
Fri, 25 February 2011 00:38 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Years ago we had Cities Service (Citgo), Mobil, Shell, Sinclair, and Standard Oil of Indiana (now BP) refineries all located here within 10 miles of each other. About 20 miles Clark and Martin also had refineries. There may have been some more that I forgot.
They each supplied their own retail outlets and some of the minor brands. Today they are all gone except BP which is expanding rapidly. If I remember correctly BP is spending 3 billion on their latest expansion.
My point is all of the local retailers now get their fuel from the one remaining refinery (BP).
I believe, but do not know for sure, that similar consolidation happened all over this country. I only know what happened around here.
Years ago Checker Oil (a local brand) was one of my clients. They were at the time 49% owned by Marathon and 51 % owned by a single person. All of their stations but one in Michigan were supplied by the Marathon refinery in Ohio. Today the Checker brand is Speedway. All of the local Speedways are now supplied by BP even though the Speedway brand is now totally owned by Marathon.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116518 is a reply to message #116391] |
Fri, 25 February 2011 14:34 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Here in California mid-grade fuel is mixed at the pump, half premium and half regular. The retailer storage is only the two grades and the pumps mix on delivery into the vehicle.
_________________________________________________________,
Ah, Yup. I heard the same exact thing. The grades are mixed at the pump when the customer buys....
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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| Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings [message #116551 is a reply to message #116546] |
Fri, 25 February 2011 17:52 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Jim,
What are you entering in the reservation to get the discount?
For the hell of it try renting a car from Enterprise using the GMCMHI rate
and the Super 8 Hotel rate and see which one is better.
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Jim Galbavy
Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2011 9:54 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] mileage thoughts/ramblings
Rob,
I don't know why, but Enterprise is still honoring my GMCMHI rate. I'm not
going to argue with them. ;)
jim galbavy
'73 x-CL (ANNIE)
CHESTERFIELD, VA / Lake Mary, Fl
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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