Bad Gas

[extrachrispy]

I picked my baby up (2017 GT Premium, perf pkg) from the dealer this past Sunday, and it was a grin-inducing hoot to drive, even short-shifting during break-in. The second tank of gas was 93 octane from the local Shell station, car was still running great. I just filled up tonight with 93 octane from the Texaco station in Marble Falls, Texas (corner of 281 and 1431), and now the car feels and sounds off, and I thought I could hear a little bit of pinging.

I'm thinking it's a crap tank of gas. Would an off-the-shell octane booster additive band-aid me through the remaining ¾ of a tank? Is that safe to use, or will it harm sensors or the cat? Is it a waste of money?

Thanks,
Chris

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[2015 Silver GT]

There's no need to add anything since your car is designed to run on 87 octane. Just drive it until the tank is near empty and go back to the Shell station for your next fill up.

 

[mustang1]

what RPM is short-shifting?

 

[extrachrispy]

what RPM is short-shifting?

3500 to 4000, though one can of course shift shorter than that.

 

[mustang1]

Car running any better? I would probably just keep RPM down below 4000 until 1/2 tank and then refill with 93 octane from a more trusted gas station. I don't know what makes for bad gas or how to avoid it but the Mustang is rated for 87 octane. So you shouldn't hear any pinging even if you bought 93 and it was really 87. Maybe the gas had a bit of water contamination.

A low cost blue tooth OBD2 reader may be able to monitor knock sensors. I haven't experimented with that any.

 

[mustang1]

it would be fun to try something like this before you get around to putting in new gas. Or go back Marble Falls and get a couple gallons to test.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nosoftskills.kd&hl=en
Knock Detector for Torque Pro

 

[extrachrispy]

Car running any better? I would probably just keep RPM down below 4000 until 1/2 tank and then refill with 93 octane from a more trusted gas station. I don't know what makes for bad gas or how to avoid it but the Mustang is rated for 87 octane. So you shouldn't hear any pinging even if you bought 93 and it was really 87. Maybe the gas had a bit of water contamination.

A low cost blue tooth OBD2 reader may be able to monitor knock sensors. I haven't experimented with that any.

Yes, it's running MUCH better. I burned off that tank, filled up at a station that has long been trustworthy, and am nearly a quarter of the way through the new tank.

I might have been unlucky enough to grab one of the first tanks drawn after that station got a delivery. Who knows?

it would be fun to try something like this before you get around to putting in new gas. Or go back Marble Falls and get a couple gallons to test.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nosoftskills.kd&hl=en
Knock Detector for Torque Pro

That's neat, but my Kool-Aid tastes like Apples. ;)

 

[mustang1]

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Go...s-Inspectors-Will-Check-it-Out-339573462.html

Got a Tank of Bad Gasoline? Texas Inspectors Will Check it Out
Published at 10:20 PM CST on Nov 2, 2015 | Updated at 8:54 AM CST on Jan 15, 2016

Inspectors with the Texas Department of Agriculture found problems at more than 150 stations in just a two month period. Among the issues inspectors noted in their reports:

Water in the premium unleaded gasoline
Diesel fuel is still contaminated with sediment
93 octane results show 90.2 lab sample
Low octane reading for the 93 octane

And, if you suspect bad fuel, do file a complaint with the Texas Department of Agriculture.

 

[extrachrispy]

mustang1 wrote:
[...how to file a complaint about a bad tank of gas in Texas...]

Thanks! Filed!

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