Gas prices are up more than a dollar from this time last year, according to AAA. One year ago, the nationwide average for regular gasoline was $2.79, but today, the average is $3.83.

While gas prices have dropped in recent weeks, this summer could end up being a costly one compared to last year. The brand of gas you buy could potentially save you money and impact your car’s performance. The I-Team tested the most popular brands of gas to find out how they affect your car.

Two weeks ago, D.R. Musselman got the Porsche he’s always wanted.

“It’s a 2004 Porsche 911 Turbo. It’s great. A lot of fun, a lot of power,” Musselman said.

Musselman wants to take good care of his car. He takes it in for maintenance and he only uses premium gas. But what about the brand of gas? Exxon, BP, Shell, and all the other types of fuel each use their own formula, with unique additives. One major additive of gasoline is detergent.

Gasoline detergent is a lot like your laundry detergent, cleaning your engine and preventing deposits from forming on critical engine parts.

Auto experts say more detergent can mean improved performance, cleaner emissions, even better gas mileage. So, which gasoline has the most detergent?

Working with our partners at the Scripps Howard News Service, we collected one-gallon samples of regular unleaded and premium fuel from 8 national brands across 3 states. We took our samples to Paragon Laboratories, an independent, certified testing facility near Detroit, to find out if all brands are created equal when it comes to detergent.

“The most important thing for consumers to do is to use the same brand of gas. One of the worst things you can do is to go from brand to brand to brand, getting the cheapest stuff you can find. That will accelerate the buildup of deposits because you’re dealing with vast differences in types of detergent,” said Tony Molla of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Molla says if you repeatedly fill up with gas that doesn’t have enough detergent, deposits can build up, causing your engine to burn more gas.

“As the deposits build up, they tend to attract more deposits. So it’s very much like a process that the longer it goes untreated, the worse it becomes,” Molla said.

Paragon performed unwashed gum tests — the same test automakers use when spot-checking to see if gas meets their standards. Scientists boiled each sample and measured the residue left behind. The more residue, the more detergent, which could equal better gas mileage.

In our test of regular unleaded gas, Exxon had the highest level of additives, with 20 milligrams of residue per 100 milliliters. BP and Shell followed close behind, while Marathon, Citgo, Pilot, and Speedway samples each had less than half the amount of detergent found in the top three brands.

“Obviously the more detergent, the more efficient job it’s going to do of cleaning the valves,” Molla said.

You pay a premium for gas that’s 92 or 93 octane, and in our test, Shell leads the pack with 31 milligrams, followed by BP and Exxon. We found the lowest levels of additives at Speedway, Mobil, Citgo, Marathon, and Pilot. Pilot’s 8.8 milligrams is three times less than Shell. But in a statement, company vice president Alan Wright told us, “Our gas blends meet EPA requirements. We don’t put in extra.”

Not everyone believes detergent in gasoline makes a large difference. Alan Saad of Vortex Motorsports in Tampa has worked on cars for more than 30 years. He says low detergent fuel most likely won’t cause serious problems because engines run cleaner nowadays.

“In the mid-80s, it was a huge problem with intake valves, injectors,” Saad said.

But Saad agrees that if you plan on having a car for a long time, higher detergent gas can be a good idea to help prevent deposit buildup and maintain your car’s performance.

D.R. Musselman wants to keep his Porsche in good shape for years to come, and he’s willing to pay a few extra dollars for his fuel.

“I think I probably would change if I knew that information, because I think it probably does make a difference,” he said.

All of the experts we spoke with say the most important thing for consumers is to choose one brand of gas and stick with it. Changing from brand to brand can lead to those deposit buildups that can cause problems for your car, including reduced gas mileage.

The chemical tests conducted by Paragon Laboratories show widely different levels in gas samples collected on March 10.

• BP 87 Octane … 17.2 milligrams per 100 milliliters
• BP 93 Octane … 26.4 milligrams per 100 milliliters
• Citgo 87 Octane … 6.0 milligrams per 100 milliliters
• Citgo 93 Octane … 9.4 milligrams per 100 milliliters
• Exxon 87 Octane … 20.0 milligrams per 100 milliliters
• Exxon 93 Octane … 21.2 milligrams per 100 milliliters
• Pilot 87 Octane … 5.8 milligrams per 100 milliliters
• Pilot 92 Octane … 8.8 milligrams per 100 milliliters
• Shell 87 Octane … 16.2 milligrams per 100 milliliters
• Shell 93 Octane … 31.0 milligrams per 100 milliliters

Samples were collected by WXYZ-ABC7, a Scripps-owned TV station in Detroit, according to standard testing protocol.

- abc Action News

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Audi chief designer Stefan Sielaff is embracing the challenges that come with styling the cars of the future. He says that new powertrains and new materials are “revolutionizing” Audi. The 49-year-old German, who has been head of Audi design since 2006, says Audi has given him a bigger budget and a larger staff to help the company stay competitive. Sielaff talked with Pia Krix, a reporter with Automotive News Europe sister publication Automobilwoche.

What effects do alternative drivetrains have on design?

Design is facing a major challenge because of cultural and technological changes, but they also present us with a unique opportunity. We are in favor of a paradigm change in our layout, in our package configuration, and therefore in the overall proportions. New drivetrains, whether they are electric, hybrid or something else, are revolutionizing the entire company. And so far no one knows where it’s taking us.

How is lightweight construction changing design?

The choice of the material has an influence on design. An aluminum body does not have the sharpness of a steel body. In turn, I can make edges even sharper with carbon. You sense these effects in detail in the design language.

Will the toward greater environmental awareness continue?

I am convinced that this trend will even become stronger. And a growing number of people will ask themselves what they are lugging around and what is burdening their lives. In certain parts of the world, the saturation will grow to the extent that it will be a form of luxury to have as little as possible. I sense a certain purism among the very young people who join our design team. They laugh about our values.

What will future green cars for megacities look like?

Compact. Efficient. Lightweight. Pure. We designers want to satisfy the desire for authenticity: The car should mirror what it carries inside.

Will design be a key purchasing factor in the future?

To a great degree, design set the tone in the past. In the future, the strength will lie in the interaction and innovation of design, technology and production. A beautiful wrapping won’t be enough. Customers want a holistic product that answers all the environmental questions.

Are you getting a larger budget so you can handle fresh challenges?

Yes, I now have the opportunity to hire more people. We can only bring about a paradigm change if we take care of the product portfolio that we have built up and have time for research at the same time.

Does the auto industry have enough designers?

The lack of new talent is an important issue, and we have to brace ourselves for it. For demographic reasons, we are going to get fewer specialized staff. By contrast, young talent is on the move in other countries, in China and India. We are indeed an international company, but we have to position ourselves more globally in the future.

What role do women play in automotive design?

Compared with the overall auto industry, we are not understaffed when it comes to women. But a classic division prevails in our area as well: Women handle interior design while exterior design, with its technical requirements, remains a male domain. But it is absolutely important to know how what women respond to in a car. That’s why we want to form mixed teams. But as long as just a few women complete the training, we cannot recruit very many.
- Auto News

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When one talks about ultimate speed, tuning and Porsche, SharkWerks is one of those names that always comes up. “ZKERMIT” the 2007 997 GT3RS that pushes out 500hp or the 2009 997TT with EVOMSit ECU Tuning that hits 580hp on 91 octane are just a few of the outstanding cars to come out of the SharkWerks stable.

Our good friends over at Porsche Heritage had the great opportunity to interview Alex Ross, co-owner at SharkWerks. It’s a must read if you want to learn a bit more on one of the most respected Porsche tuners, worldwide.

Alex Ross of SharkWerks

- Porsche Heritage

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When the racing season comes to an end here in the U.S, we tend to get bummed out but before you know it the Roar Before the Rolex 24 is here. This year brings new teams, new faces and new cars to the Grand-Am Series. One team we will be watching is newly formed Magnus Racing out of Salt Lake City, Utah. We had the chance to sit down and catch up with Jeroen Bleekemolen (Dutch) in Daytona, yesterday.

First, congratulations on your 2009 Porsche Mobil1 Supercup Championship win. That was quite a battle with Rene Rast.

How was your winter, any rest for you and what did you do to keep in shape and focused for 2010?

My winter was still quite busy. In November I still had 2 races, one in Abu Dhabi and one in Kyalami. After that there were some talks for this season and the 3rd of January I already drove my 1st race of the year in the Netherlands in our winter GT series in a Porsche. The rest of the month is also busy with the 24 hours of Dubai and Daytona. I had 37 race weekends last year, so it was nice to have a few weeks of relaxing with Christmas. I went skiing in that period. Good training and a lot of fun on top of that.

When did the Magnus deal come about? Did Porsche Motorsport approach you about the Magnus opportunity?

I got into contact with Magnus Racing through Porsche. After winning the Supercup title twice they were out there to help me, because I really wanted to do Daytona and I’m really happy to join Magnus Racing.

With Magnus Racing being a new startup, how do you approach this and what do you bring to the table?

The team is new, but you don’t notice that in any way. I guess that’s because all the members are very experienced. Obviously I know a Porsche Cup car well and have a lot of 24 hour experience, so together we should be really strong.

We hear the guys at Magnus are a lot of fun. We saw it last year with Craig’s “Touch of Gray” livery. We also know Craig has a good bit up his sleeve? Have John or Craig pranked you?

Craig and John are great guys. The make a lot of fun, but can also be very serious when they have to. I’m also like that, so I’m happy to race with them. We just got to know each other, but I’m sure we’re going to have a great time together.

The Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car looks to be running good. In the second session we saw you running 11th about 3secs off pace. How is the car and what has been done to the old #67 TRG to get it ready for the season?

I only did a couple of laps so far, but the car seems to work ok. I’m sure there’s a lot more to come from us and we’ll be fighting at the front during the 24 hours.

With a 24 Hour of Le Mans win driving the LMP2 Van Merksteijn Motorsport’s Porsche RS Spyder, how would a 24 Hours of Daytona win feel?

To win Daytona after my Le Mans win would be fantastic. I race to win, so let’s hope we make it a nice one. I’m looking forward to it a lot.

You have both a background in endurance racing and shorter stuff like the DTM, Porsche Carrera Cup and others. Do you enjoy one format over the other and will we see you at Dubai, Le Mans or any other 24 Hour races in 2010?

I will do the 24 hours of Dubai and probably also Le Mans. If I have time I will also try to do the 24 hours of Nurburgring and Spa, but that depends on my other schedule. I love 24 hour racing, so hopefully it works out.

Thank you for your time Jeroen. Good luck with testing and we will see you at the 24!

Thank you for the support. Best regards, Jeroen

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Extensive Tyre Test Programme for Older Model Series

Porsche has extended its demanding approval process for winter tyres to include tyres for young and old classics. Offering customers this unusual service, the German manufacturer of sports cars enables drivers of older models to use the best available products on their car. Porsche is therefore providing valuable help and orientation particularly in the process of choosing new winter tyres with safe driving characteristics also on snow and ice. A further point is that this makes Porsche one of the few car makers to offer such an elaborate tyre approval process.

Well over 70 per cent of all Porsche sports cars ever built still exist today and are still driven actively in most cases – in both summer and winter. Indeed, even classic Porsche models more than 20 years old still offer the kind of performance today one would expect of a modern sports car. But the tyres fitted when such old and new classics were still in production have no longer been available for years. Tyre treads and rubber compounds have changed in an ongoing process of development, thus influencing the driving behaviour of such old Porsche models.

Conducting elaborate tests, Porsche’s engineers determine which of the tyres available today harmonise best with the features of a classic Porsche. The highlight in this testing and approving process is an extensive test programme up north in the Polar Circle.

Numerous Porsche models built in former years, among them the 911, 928, 964, 993 and 996, and then all the way to the first Boxsters, have been tested for this purpose on countless laps at the Arctic Driving Center in the Finnish town of Rovaniemi.

The criteria to be fulfilled by the tyres tested in order to receive approval by Porsche are so strict that not all tyres met the test requirements. The characteristics and features typical of an older air-cooled 911, for example, form an challenge not easy to overcome.

Further tests for dry and wet handling on test routes free of snow round off the test programme as such. Information on which tyres are recommended for which Porsche model is presented on Porsche’s website (www.Porsche.com) and is also available at all Porsche Centers.

- Porsche

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