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

Related posts:

1. Road Review: S4 Mileage Update

You're reading Popular brands of gasoline shows big differences in emissions, mileage originally posted on oneighturbo.com. If you've enjoyed this article, be sure and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.

1.8T Manifold is out of the way.

We are a bit behind on some news this weekend but this is why. We are dropping in a NewSouth Performance PowerGasket™ along with checking the thermostat and waterpump at 60k. We will have a how-to write up soon.

PowerGasket™ gives you up to 5% more power from your engine by reducing the temperature of the incoming air to your engine.

Related posts:

1. Porsche: Direct Fuel Injection lowers consumption and increases performance

You're reading NewSouth Performance PowerGasket™ install originally posted on oneighturbo.com. If you've enjoyed this article, be sure and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.

If you are running an after market exhaust w/ a high-flow cat and are constantly getting that dreaded CEL, this part should fix it. It comes down to spacing your 02 sensor out of the direct airflow.

2 Faults Found:

• 16804 – Catalyst System; Bank 1: Efficiency Below Threshold
  P0420 – 35-10 – – - Intermittent
• 16795 – Secondary Air Injection System: Incorrect Flow Detected
  P0411 – 35-00 – -

Car:
2000 1.8T New Beetle GLX running a GHL 2.5″ TB exhaust and GIAC software.

The steps should be identical to all MKIV’s. Placement of your sensors may vary based on your exhuats, but probably not.

Related posts:

1. How-to: Mass Air Flow cleaning for the MKIV Volkswagen

You're reading How-to: Secondary 02 Sensor Angle Block install originally posted on oneighturbo.com. If you've enjoyed this article, be sure and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.

Don’t worry we are not getting all soft here at oneighturbo.. but I’ve been driving mostly highway lately. I love my car and I love driving it. I have done a good amount of work to improve it’s overall character. Unfortunately, I have not hit a track yet or 1/4 mile. Now that doesn’t mean I race on the public streets or drive way above the speed limit but I do like to drive fast. Fall temps are also in the air so the ‘ol turbo is lovin it!

I’ve started keeping up with zen habits and found this article regarding driving habits. Not to much is new, I mean we’ve heard it over and over about gas savings and stress levels. Take those and combine them in relation to saving a few minutes in your drive or overall commute. It really does come down to insignificant minutes saved. Remember, this is not Petit Le Mans or the 1/4 mile drags where mere seconds are won by.

I maintain my vehicles gas mileage and for a modified New Beetle 1.8T engine running premium gas, I’m averaging 23.2mpg highway. I do use cruise control when I can, usually interrupted by those slow drivers in the FAST lane!

This brings me to the “Stress” side of it. I’m not a late person for the most part. If I am, I’ll blame the kids or forgetting to put the recycling out. So I’m not rushing, as I said I like driving. I do get annoyed by these slow drivers or ones who are just plain inconsiderate of others. Here in Atlanta we have lots of those who think the world revolves around them. Cellphones, make-up, reading, eating and more. My thinking is this, if your not going faster than the car to the right of you.. get over and completes when there are no lanes left.

Do you notice the “pods” that you eventually catch? Everyone just settles within regardless of lane choice.

So if you can’t beat em and trying is causing extra stress… join em. Settle in one of these “pods”, set cruise on and chill with some favorite tunes, talk radio or whatever sooths you.

I still want my BIG TURBO kit!

Click on over to zen habits and see if the 5 reasons will help you..

I drive slower these days. While I used to be a bit of a driving maniac (ask my wife), passing everybody and stepping hard on my accelerator, I would also get increasingly frustrated when people would drive slow and keep me from driving fast, or cut me off. Driving was a stressful experience.

Not anymore. These days, driving is a much more calm, serene experience, and I enjoy it much more.

I look around at other drivers and wonder whether they really need to get to where they’re going so fast, and whether they’ll slow down when they get there. I wonder if it’s really worth burning all that gas and getting so angry and risking so many lives. And then I think about other things, because driving for me has become a time of contemplation.

I heartily recommend driving slower — for many reasons, but one of the best reasons is that it has made me a much happier person. It’s such a simple step to take, but it makes an incredibly big difference.

– zen habits

Technorati Tags: Zen Habits, driving habits, oneighturbo, saving gas

Related posts:

1. Volkswagen Ride-n-Drive October 7th

You're reading 5 Powerful Reasons to Drive Slower, and How to Do It originally posted on oneighturbo.com. If you've enjoyed this article, be sure and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.

A first in our long overdue How-To series!

Please bookmark, digg or download the PDF (180k) for your convenience!

Vehicle performed on: 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T
Other models: MKIV 1.8T’s (All models), Audi TT’s, Audi A4′s

What you need:
Philips-head and/or Flathead screwdriver
Arc joint pliers
Rags
Electric cleaner
MAF cleaner
Beverage of choice (Diet Mtn Dew for us. Ommegang if it was later in the day!)

Time: Noob – 1.5hrs, Experienced: 30-45min

Legal: We are not responsible for any problems you encounter during this how-to.

Intro:
This is a very simple process. If you’ve been experiencing hesitations, rough idle etc, your MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor may be the culprit. If you have a CEL, this could be it. Within the housing sits the sensor (need pic). This can become dirty or if running an oiled filter like K&N. Some say that these filters do not effect the MAF, however I ran one and had gone through 3 MAF’s. I’ve since moved on to a mod’d OEM air-box running the OEM paper filter and have had no issues..

Take a swig of beverage.

Step 1:
Depending on your set-up, I find it easier to take the air-box out as well. I am running a Forge T.I.P which is a heck of a lot stiffer than OEM so just pulling the MAF out is a pain.

You will have 2 philips-head screws to the rear of the air-box. These along with the tabs hold the cover down.

Leave in place for now. If you do take out, unlock the SAI hose, just under MAF. * See pic above

Take a swig of beverage.

Step 2:
Gently press tab to unlock and pull plug off MAF. Tuck up and out of way.

Take a swig of beverage.

Step 3:
There are two (each side) philips head screws that hold the MAF to the air-box. Remove these. Unlike the air-box, these come out completely. Since they are a bit of a pain, I recommend putting a rag under your work area. If you do drop one/both they will fall here rather than into the engine area.

Take a swig of beverage.

Step 4:
Loosen clamp around neck of TIP (Turbo Inlet Pipe). Just push this down the pipe and out of the way. * See pic above

*If you have the OEM tube, you will have one of those self squeeze clamps. They are a nightmare/dangerous and I suggest switching to a normal clamp like I have. You will need a very large set of arc joint pliers.

Take a swig of beverage.

Step 5:
Slowly pull MAF off/out of air-box and then out of TIP. This is one of those figure it out on your own. What I mean is that it’s semi-tricky and you just have to wiggle/play it out. DO NOT DAMAGE ANYTHING!

Take a swig of beverage.

Step 6:
Take cleaner and spray the sensor, screen* and plug area. It will dry fast and you can wipe any extra off. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL.

* The screen is to control air flow/turbulence across the sensor.

That’s it.

Take a huge swig of beverage.

Step 7:
Reverse order. Make sure all is snug and bolted down. You don’t want any air leaks.

Take this time to look over your engine too. This is a great way to learn and examine your car.

While pulling the MAF plug off, I noticed the red plastic didn’t look right. Looking closer it has started breaking off, becoming brittle?

Our 1.8T’s run very hot. If your still running the cloth VAC lines, inspect them for drying/cracking. Another big CEL among 1.8T owners. If possible, buy some silicone hose and replace all. Silicone is indestructible when it comes to engine heat.

If you do loosen you air-box cover, take this time to look at the filter. Shake it out but do not let dirt get on top of the filter, MAF sensor side. I usually bang straight down on flat surface. OEM filters are very cheap to replace at your oil change interval. Hopefully with a 1.8T your running a synthetic oil and at a 5k or more change depending on driving habits and environment.

Let us know if this How-to helped out in the comments. We are planning many more.

- the 1.8T dub crew

Legal: We are not responsible for any problems you encounter during this how-to.

Technorati Tags: VW, Volkswagen, Volkswagen MKIV, How-to, oneighturbo, Mass Air flow

Related posts:

1. MKIV headlight replacement

You're reading How-to: Mass Air Flow cleaning for the MKIV Volkswagen originally posted on oneighturbo.com. If you've enjoyed this article, be sure and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.