Choosing the right gas station, which has both acceptable quality fuel and not exorbitant prices, is often no easier than choosing a car, because the duration and safety of the operation of your vehicle’s components, as well as the security of your wallet, depend on these parameters. Therefore, we present a rating of gas stations in terms of quality in 2018-2019 in Moscow and the region.
What is quality gasoline?
Why refuel a car with decent gasoline and how to determine which one is better? We answer the first question: low-quality gasoline adversely affects the procedure for starting the engine, quickly disables spark plugs and damages the components of the fuel system. Remember that the longer you save money and opt for gas stations that offer low quality gasoline, the more endangered your car is.
Gazpromneft
The gas station network from the largest Russian company does not leave indifferent millions of car owners across the country. All fuel complies with the Euro 4 standard, and therefore you can not worry about the safety of the elements of your car.
In addition to gasoline and diesel fuel available at all gas stations, Gazpromneft is also expected to offer gas. Gas stations are almost always equipped with corners for relaxing or buying a bite to eat on the road, and the professionalism of the employees is not satisfactory.
Rosneft
A major player in the Russian fuel market not only provides a license for the sale of BP oil products, but also has the widest network of gas stations throughout Russia. Own production, as well as the status of the most important state corporation, guarantees consumers the quality of fuel. And at their gas station, perhaps, the most delicious coffee.
Lukoil
A widely recognized leader among domestic suppliers of refined products. The fuel complies with Euro 5 standards and constantly wins awards for the environmental performance of its gasoline, and customers usually stay with Lukoil for a long time after the first use.
A big plus against the background of many competitors is the breadth of the offer of petroleum products, which allows you to refuel any car without fear of losing its performance. The prices at the gas stations of this company are quite high, but the excellent quality of gasoline here is complemented by excellent service and additional services, and therefore you have to overpay a little.
We hope that our review on which gas stations to buy fuel at will help you choose the right network of gas stations for your soul and budget, as well as keep the key technical elements of your vehicle safe and sound. Good luck on the road and do not save on the most important.
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Many car filling stations, in addition to the usual 95th gasoline, offer improved versions of it, which, according to the owners of the gas station network, are supposedly capable of increasing car power, reducing fuel consumption and extending engine life. How miraculous is the 95th improved gasoline, or is it completely similar to the usual 95th, we will try to find out.
So, the improved 95th is called absolutely differently at gas stations. For example, in the Lukoil gas station network, improved gasoline is called 95 EKTO, at Shell gas stations it is 95 Power. In addition, you can find such designations as 95+, 95 Energy and the like. In fact, despite the different names of the 95th improved, the manufacturer keeps saying that gasoline is much better than the usual 95th fuel. Of course, since this gasoline is better than usual, then you will have to pay more for it, at least 10 percent. But is it worth it? Perhaps there is no difference between a simple and improved 95m?
A little about the tests
We are not the first to ask if there is a difference between 95 and 95 improved. A couple of years ago, both brands of gasoline were already tested in Russia, which were taken from gas stations of various companies, both domestic and foreign. The results of these tests were predictable. As the tests showed, the promised increase in power from the improved 95th gasoline was never noticed. An ultra-precise stand for determining engine power recorded approximately the same indicators, with a difference of 0.5 -1%. So, the first answer is that improved gasoline will definitely not add power to your car.
Approximately the same situation is with . Recall that the manufacturer promises to reduce consumption with the use of gasoline 95+. However, in the course of real tests, it was possible to find out that fuel economy is nothing more than empty promises.
“What is the difference between 95+ gasoline then,” you ask? Does it make sense to overpay for it? To some extent, yes. The fact is that when conducting chemical analyzes for the composition of the fuel, both types of fuel corresponded to the same octane number, however, in the improved 95-gasoline, the content of flushing additives was found, which clean the nozzles well from carbon deposits. As you know, the throttle response of the engine and its dynamics also depend on the degree of contamination of the injectors. In other words, gasoline 95 Ecto, or any other improved one, has a gentle effect and removes carbon deposits from the inside throughout the entire fuel system.
And most importantly, buy improved 95th gasoline, or not? At a minimum, periodic refueling with 95+ gasoline will not be superfluous at all. If you have a new car, then the benefits of such gasoline will be much greater, since during the break-in the engine will work even in more careful conditions. As for domestically produced cars, or old ones, this is a moot point. It is clear that you should not expect significant results from refueling with 95+ gasoline, but as a preventive measure, it will be quite useful to pamper your car, to rid it of soot a little.
The article is not an advertisement for Shell products, so first we will define the criteria for good automotive fuel in principle, and then we will deal with the Shell brand gasoline nuances. There are a lot of reviews about him from motorists, and they are more subjective. Therefore, we will understand without emotions and "lyrics".
What is good gasoline, from a driver's point of view?
From the point of view of an ordinary consumer, good gasoline is an easy start of a car engine, literally from a half turn. If the fuel is of high quality, the air temperature below zero will not interfere with the quick start of the engine, even in cold weather. The car rides on the road easily and smoothly. High-quality gasoline frees motorists from the tedious fuss with changing candles, and even more so from washing the fuel block of the car.
According to the physico-chemical characteristics, the main factor of high quality is detonation.
Detonation and octane
Detonation must always be remembered and, of course, understood in this concept. At its core, this is a defective, incomplete combustion of fuel in the engine. Such a process immediately manifests itself in the form of a metallic knock in the engine and a "sneeze" of the motor - its unstable operation. In the exhaust pipe, you can also see unpleasant symptoms of detonation - these are exhausts with black smoke. Why is detonation dangerous in a car engine? Everything is very simple: it will simply destroy it.
To minimize the risk of detonation, gasoline must be stable. And this stability determines the octane number. Its level just shows the degree of stability of gasoline. According to this logic, AI-98 gasoline is rated as the most stable and, therefore, of high quality.
Word to the tankers
If you need objective and at the same time professional reviews about gasoline at Shell gas stations, then it will be useful to ask around for a start.
A lot of resources are devoted to the issues of gasoline fuel and service at gas stations on the Web. Reviews about Shell gasoline, as well as about other brands, differ in objectivity and, most importantly, professionalism. Nevertheless, general trends and conclusions can be caught.
At any gas station, the issue of fuel is the most important. There are exactly four evaluation criteria:
- quality (octane number, etc.);
- price;
- storage technologies;
- pouring accuracy.
According to many refuellers, the fuel of all trading companies is the same: gasoline is also gasoline in Africa. Delivery and storage conditions make it different.
Delivery and storage factors
All filling stations have so-called fuel dispensers (TRKs). In their essence, they are measuring instruments, therefore they must be checked periodically (permanent verification). At the same time, employees of gas stations use special measuring devices, and their verification is carried out quarterly.
The new equipment and technological discipline at the Shell filling stations practically exclude the possibility of violations or abuses during refueling (underfilling).
Gasoline is stored in tanks, which also perform a measuring function. Their verification is carried out much less frequently, only once every five years. But the main criterion for the quality of gasoline in tanks is something completely different. This is the density of traffic at the gas station.
If this density is low, that is, cars rarely drive in and refuel, gasoline in the tank stagnates, and sediment forms at the bottom. It can get into the car's gas tank with all the ensuing consequences: burning coils, cleaning the fuel system, etc.
Judging by the reviews about the quality of Shell gasoline, it is insured against this kind of trouble thanks to new equipment from good manufacturers at branded gas stations.
Feedback analysis
Analyzing numerous reviews about the quality of gasoline at Shell gas stations, we can draw certain conclusions, the general tone of which is mostly positive. Although there are also negative comments.
Reviews on Shell 95 gasoline are generally not bad and look something like this: with long-term use, the candles do not need to be changed, they remain in good condition. The exhaust pipe does not smoke. Shell-95 fans often criticize the "charged" V-Power. They don't believe in miracle supplements.
Reviews of Shell-98 gasoline are also generally positive. This is especially evident in the results of research by specialists. In the ranking of the magazine "Behind the wheel" in 2018 among Russian gas stations in terms of gasoline quality, Shell gas stations confidently took the first place. As part of the same study, the compliance of Shell-98 gasoline with its standard characteristics was checked.
What do you like about Shell gas stations?
- Possibility of post-pay (payment after filling) at all Shell gas stations, including even areas where such a payment method did not exist before their appearance.
- Gasoline of any brand is consistently good, even taking into account the fact that it comes to gas stations from different suppliers.
- Shell club bonus system as a fact of existence. But there are drawbacks (about them below).
- Coffee is the same at all Shell gas stations and always of high quality. It can be bought for club bonuses.
- Branded fuel trucks of new technology.
- Cleanliness, general comfort and service. The level is above average, second only to BP gas stations (this item is often called in reviews of Shell gasoline in Moscow).
- All gas stations have only new and state-of-the-art equipment.
What you don't like about Shell gas stations
- The high cost of branded gasoline. Shell is one of the most expensive brands in Russia, including the entire line of fuel brands.
- A small number of filling stations by region. The network is expanding, but, judging by the reviews, it is losing the quality of service and gasoline. The fact is that in a significant part of the regions, the development of the network occurs only through the franchise. The quality of gasoline from their suppliers is still an open question. At least, it is too early to talk about the stability of their fuel indicators.
- Poor choice of goods for club bonuses. Goods are too expensive and of low quality (excluding excellent coffee).
- Many customers are dissatisfied with the extremely odorous "anti-freeze" wash.
Shell V-Power gasoline reviews: is it worth paying extra?
Each new brand of fuel is developed carefully and for a long time: for about five years. Most of the time is occupied by numerous tests of the gasoline itself and the process of its supply for each link.
The authors of the new brand V-Power claim that its production costs much more than the traditional refining of oil according to the standards of gasoline grades. The fuel of the new generation is multifunctional, it differs even from the "native" gasoline brands.
This is what makes up this versatility (according to the author's reviews of Shell gasoline):
- minimization of carbon deposits on the inner surface of the engine;
- cleansing properties of gasoline (engine cleaning);
- protective properties against friction and corrosion.
According to the manufacturer, all these incredible properties are given to the fuel by additives with a special formula that "allows you to increase the dynamics of the engine by cleaning the internal parts and surfaces from deposits and perfect complete combustion of the fuel." The spirit captures from such characteristics.
Elixirs for engines
Modern additives are whole compositions and have truly magical properties that make advanced expensive brands of gasoline almost an elixir of health and youth for car engines. Is it really?
The most objective type of fuel quality feedback is the results of testing conducted by outside companies not interested in lobbying for Shell products. Such a test was the study of AI-95 and AI-98 at several gas stations in Moscow and St. Petersburg, which was carried out by specialists from Autoreview, the most authoritative network resource for Russian motorists.
Independent Test Results
The results were very encouraging: in gasoline grades 95 and 98, harmful additives that were added to the fuel before were forgotten. Sulfur, benzene, resins, manganese and, finally, iron-containing additives - everything was normal.
In terms of basic parameters, Shell gasoline 95 and 98 comply with GOSTs and, which is especially encouraging, with Euro 3 standards.
The result of the test is not in doubt. Shell gas stations (as well as BP, TNK and Lukoil) sell high-quality gasoline that meets the declared characteristics. The conclusions for motorists are even clearer: Shell gasolines can be poured into modern foreign cars without fear.
The following advice is important: gasoline containing a detergent additive should be used constantly, and not occasionally in the form of a "wash" of engine parts. If you use V-Power constantly, plaque will not form at all. If you fill in gasoline without additives, then also on an ongoing basis.
It's all about detergents
As a result, I filled a full tank of V-Power, and the car just rustled.
This is one of the typical quotes from the Shell V-Power gasoline discussion forums. Consumers in their opinions were divided into two camps. Some believe that it makes no sense to overpay for the vague promises of manufacturers and their "naked marketing". With a general loyalty to the Shell product line, they use ordinary 95 or 98 gasoline, making quite serious arguments.
Others in their reviews of gasoline at Shell gas stations note lower fuel consumption, ideal engine performance and consider V-Power to be the only option for their cars. Their arguments are no less serious.
It's all about the subjectivity of this kind of disputes and reasoning, which are based on personal feelings about how the engine behaves in response to pouring a different type of fuel. Therefore, taking seriously amateur reviews of Shell gasoline seems to be a thankless task.
Many drivers are interested in the question of how and where additives are added. After all, the entire line of Shell gasolines is made from products of the Ryazan or Yaroslavl tank farm. In other words, Ryazan gasoline turns into an elite V-Power only thanks to this additive.
The additive is added in two ways. In the first case, it is made at the oil depot, pouring it directly into the fuel truck. In the second, this is done on a special fuel truck, where there is a separate tank with an additive that can be added to a common tank by a remote command with high accuracy.
A legitimate question arises. If converting regular gasoline to premium is an elementary process, why is V-Power so expensive? The answer is simple and it applies to the entire Shell product line: the company charges for exact compliance with technological requirements, the stability of all production processes and the high level of service at its gas stations. If you look at it, then this is a quite adequate set of services, taking into account the high competition in the Russian gasoline market. One way or another, the Shell brand is associated with the stable properties of gasoline and high quality service. And this is the most important thing.
As a decent man, I love cars, and I don’t live in peace, I decided to check the quality of gasoline at gas stations in Moscow. Rosneft, Lukoil, Gazprom, BP and others tremble!
Car shops sell various test strips to check the quality of gasoline. But, it is clear that they cannot give complete data on the composition of gasoline and determine its compliance with all standards. Did this test not too long ago. macos . The experiment seemed interesting to me, but I decided to act for sure and went to a real testing laboratory for fuels and lubricants.
The first surprise was the search for a laboratory that can test gasoline. It turned out that there are not many such people in Moscow. I googled only two (Shell and Neftmagistral) suitable laboratories to which a private person can take gasoline for analysis without problems. Other laboratories either analyze oils, or are not close, or the analysis is unreasonably expensive, or cooperation with individuals is problematic. By the way, maybe someone knows why such laboratories do not like private individuals?
The choice fell on the Oil pipeline. In fact, I chose them because of the price (it turned out to be not the cheapest pleasure), and they are located quite close to Moscow (Vnukovo).
Having traveled along the Moscow Ring Road from Yaroslavka to Kievskoye Highway, I stopped at the following gas stations: Rosneft, Lukoil, BP, Neftmagistral, Gazpromneft. I poured gasoline into plastic canisters specially designed for gasoline. For testing, standard 95th gasoline was taken.
I post checks for gasoline for comparison - (price per liter / rubles): Neftmagistral - 33.20, Gazpromneft - 34.05, Rosneft - 34.10, Lukoil - 34.52, BP - 34.59. I could not resist on BP, I bought mineral water-). The main question is what is the difference and does cheaper gasoline differ from expensive gasoline, is it more useful to feed cars, and is there any difference in general than to feed?
To make everything as independent as possible, I gave gasoline samples anonymously - under numbers. Although, looking ahead, I’ll say that after the analysis, we got into a conversation with a person who works there and, looking at the composition, he himself compared and named the brands of three probes. At that moment, I felt real respect for a person who knows the market so well and knows the compositions and differences of gasoline of different brands.
The laboratory is equipped with the latest technology. I wouldn't call it big, but the equipment is amazing. The following fuel parameters were analyzed: octane number, fractional composition, content of sulfur and aromatic compounds. Like it or not, these gasoline test strips cannot be detected in any way. And good gasoline is not only excellent running and accelerating characteristics of a car, but also a guarantee of its smooth operation and serviceability. I think that those who are under warranty and call in for MOT have heard sighs from the masters many times about dirty candles and bad gasoline.
Let's take a closer look at a few devices. Below UIT-85M. The device was made in Russia at the Savelovsky Machine-Building Plant. This unit determines the octane number. The device simulates the operation of the engine using only one cylinder, then the installation compares the standard with the gasoline received for research.
With an octane number, all brands turned out to be in order. Everything is within the normal range.
We test further. The sulfur content of gasoline helps determine the spectrometer. Active sulfur compounds contained in gasoline cause severe corrosion of the fuel system and transport containers. Inactive sulfur compounds do not lead to corrosion, but the gases formed during their combustion cause rapid abrasive wear of engine parts, reduce power and worsen the environmental situation.
And this device for determining the chemical composition. In a few seconds, it gives a detailed analysis of the composition.
An apparatus that determines the fractional composition of gasoline.
Apparatus for determining the density of an oil product
Apparatus for determining the pressure of saturated vapors
Equipment for the analysis of diesel fuel differs significantly. But I didn’t have diesel fuel with me, so I couldn’t see exactly how the device works, but I managed to capture it:
Apparatus for determining actual resins
But the most important thing is the final results, it was for them that I came to the laboratory. In fact, the results were unexpected. I was sure that at least half of the grades would turn out to be unusable, but ... almost all gasoline turned out to be within the standards, the only thing was that Lukoil "let down".
Lukoil AI-95 gasoline does not comply with GOST R 51866-2002 in terms of a number of fractional composition indicators. The first discrepancy: the end of boiling (this indicator should not be higher than 210C, for Lukoil it is 215.7C). Consequences: increased fuel consumption and carbon formation in the combustion chamber of the engine cylinder. The second discrepancy: by the share of aromatic hydrocarbons. Consequences: soot on candles during the passage of the next MOT. All this can be seen in the test report. That is, this gasoline will not only increase fuel consumption, but also significantly increase engine wear.
The indicators of the fractional composition and the compliance of these parameters with the norm are one of the main ones, since they can be used to determine the engine warm-up rate, its throttle response, starting qualities, and the uniformity of the engine at idle. To decipher all the indicators, you can use this "dictionary".
By the way, Gazprom stood out in terms of sulfur content, but according to this indicator, everything is within the normal range for all brands.
Lukoil and Gazprom turned out to have the lowest octane ratings (the higher the octane number, the better the gasoline resists detonation) - 95.4, BP has a little higher - 95.5, but still not the maximum, although I repeat that everything in within the normal range, but without much effort.
Other protocols can be found here
Oil pipeline:
Rosneft:
In general, I am surprised, I still expected more violations-) Perhaps the fact is that gasoline was taken in Moscow, we apparently undergo constant checks. It would be interesting if someone living in the region would take the baton and conduct similar analyses.
Question to the studio, is it worth overpaying for a brand, if in the end the quality is the same for everyone, and some expensive brands also cheat a little? Have you personally come across low-quality gasoline? Tried to somehow prove the manufacturer of his guilt? Have you contacted such laboratories? And, in fact, what are you guided by when choosing a gas station, because, as it turned out, a high price is not always a guarantee of quality ...
To be honest, in ten years of conducting fuel examinations, my colleagues and I came across crappy gasoline only once. We found a place on the Kaluzhskoye Highway, where on one side there was a "Lukoil" gas station, and on the right, almost the same, but already "Likoylovskaya". The difference is one letter and ten missing octane units. And also in the insane stench of the drug sold there, which, by the way, was three rubles per liter cheaper than the neighbors across the street. The laboratory then said unequivocally: “This is not gasoline!” And soon after the publication, the curious sign from the track disappeared.
But what to expect from obviously expensive gas stations?
It so happened that on duty we ended up at the Shell oil depot near Podolsk. In fact, we were supposed to be shown an exemplary fuel truck - and they really did. But how can one resist sarcastic questions on other fuel topics?
What is my attitude to the Shell gas station network? Neutral. Among the advantages:
- Here you are first filled, and then you pay.
- There is always a toilet and you can wash your hands.
- This is a branded gas station with a big name, and therefore, in the process of refueling, you seem to involuntarily rise in your own eyes.
But there are also disadvantages:
- It's more expensive than most of the others.
- The network of Shell's gas stations is poorly developed - it takes a long time to look for them.
- In our Zarulev examinations, Shell has never shone.
So what about the neutral, I, perhaps, turned down - for me the cons outweigh, so I personally prefer VR. Sometimes Neste. Last resort - Lukoil. Why in the extreme? Because they never learned how to properly fill a full tank. Yes, and the operator near the column is either present or not.
But today we're going to Shell.
What I like about Shell is the signature coloring. And I still remember how a few years ago I had a chance to participate in a conversation with the vice president of the company, David Pirret. Educated intelligent man - it was nice to talk. Moreover, I immediately went from him to a meeting with the then VAZ temporary worker. I don’t want to remember him, I can only say that the difference was crazy.
We are met at the entrance. Pretty fuel trucks and even prettier employees. Well, business men, of course ... We begin to communicate. Where does Shell get its gasoline? Not in Holland, of course: far and expensive. The carrier, the company AVTEK, with whose representatives we are talking, receives gasoline in the capital Kapotnya, Ryazan, Ufa or Yaroslavl. Subsequently, they serve Moscow, Tula, Smolensk, Bryansk and Lipetsk.
Then a small performance begins. The manager says: the company buys Russian fuel, after which its quality ... increases! Well, it's not even funny: why on earth? We agreed that Shell does not degrade the quality of Russian fuel during transportation and storage. You can still believe it. However, the manager did not believe it: it seems that he really thinks differently.
Do they buy good fuel in dense Russia? The Shellovtsy nod - they say, it fully complies with Russian GOSTs, and the company's oil depot carries out its input control. By what parameters, they did not specify. The question about the octane number was turned into a joke: they say, well, this is obvious. I had to remind you that the technical regulations do not impose exact requirements on this number: they say, not less than 80 - and all right. They do not argue with us, but they are in a hurry to show the fuel truck.
There are no questions for fuel trucks - take a look at the photo. They are hung with cameras and antennas so that no one cheats. Fuel - in expensive aluminum containers, born abroad. I was pleased with a cheerful picture on the right door - especially for those kind people behind the wheel who, in traffic jams, strive to climb a fuel truck almost under the bumper.
Shell does not have its own carriers - neither in Russia, nor in the world. Is it good or bad? Here everyone is free to do as he pleases, the consumer needs good fuel and nothing more.
The oil depot is clean. Shooting and talking on mobile phones near the gas station are prohibited: there are known cases of unauthorized sparking of built-in batteries. Yes, lithium batteries have been getting hit a lot lately: sometimes they really behave aggressively.
And I again - about bad gasoline. Where does it come from?
