Use only tier one gasoline and they clean themselves. Mine were black when I purchased it last August with about 5,700 miles. I only use tier one gasoline - usually Shell but some Chevron and with about 13,000 miles they are now almost spotless.

 

Question regarding tier one. I have not seen one gas station that has any kind of signage regarding tier one. So who's tier one? I've tried BP, Shell, Exxon Mobile, Marathon, Philips66, and don't see anything stating it's tier1.

 

I think the Citgos are the ones with the high end gas. Never saw any but i remember riding around on my honda cbr looking for some rocket fuel.

 

I mis-stated. It's Top Tier not Tier one.


http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

 

The only major oil companies in this list are Philips, and Shell. Most of the other sound like small operators of gasoline. The Shells and Phillips have no signs stating they are Top Tier.

 

I had some experience in driving a fuel delivery vehicle for a year here in NC. I was talking to the tanker driver when he was off loading a tanker of gasoline and he told me that when he picked up in Norfolk Va. that all the different companies loaded from the same tanks and that additives were put in to make the brands unique. The basic gas came out of the same tanks for Shell, BP, Wal-mart, etc. and he thought they were pretty much the same regardless of brand.

Tennor

 

So from those conversation, which company do you prefer now?

 

I personally buy which ever brand is convenient and priced the best.

Tennor

 

I bought an 1800 PSI electric pressure washer today from Sears(for the deck), anyone use a pressure washer to wash their car? You think it might harm the paint?

 

Just make sure the engine has cooled down before blasting cold water in there! Aluminum doesn't like to be cooled instantly. Fatigue and cracking can occur. Occasionally, I use a pressure wand, but on low (I don't pull the trigger handle). Usually, I just use a garden hose and a spray nozzle.

As for the pipes, if it's an SRT, the pipes are painted black on the inside.

 

I wipe down the engine ( the part of it I can get to) and engine compartment after I wash it once a week.
Pat

 

In response to the gas comments. It is true, all gasoline companies pull from the same distribution tanks. Gas is gas, there is no special formula to make one 93 octane different from the next. What makes the companies have a competitive advantage is the in fact the additives the add to that gasoline to extend the life of your engine as well as improve gas mileage.

Truth is, in the U.S. of all the gas that is pumped into our cars about 90% or so is actually imported as gasoline (another reason for higher gas costs) the other 10% is imported as crude oil and refined in the U.S. However, the EPA had strict rules and regulations on how many refineries there are. Therefore, no new ones can be built to increase the amount of gas refined in the U.S. which would help lower costs at the pump some. The EPA makes companies purchase 'pollution points' which is based on how much pollution (or lack thereof) they put into the air. Basically a tax on chemical pollution emissions without calling it a tax. There are only so many alloted pollution points nationally and are generally all used nationwide each year. Thus no more refineries. My educated $.02.


I have now stepped off my pedastal