Gas prices are heading up again in Southern California. I saw a sign at a local AM PM for regular gas at $ 2.67. As gasoline prices rise, is there really a gasoline brand that gives the best mileage? And is there a difference in the octane to use in your car?

I’ve learned informally about gasoline production, detergents and top-tier gas during the past year. Gasoline really comes from the same refineries but the additives mixed in during the production process begin to separate one brand of gasoline from another.

I won’t give a definite answer or endorsement on this Hub about which brand of gasoline to use for best mileage, but I will give resources that you can use to educate yourself and others to truly understand, and appreciate, how this commodity affects our lives and our lifestyles.

In 2005, BMW, Honda, Toyota, Audi, Volkswagen and General Motors developed a standard they believed was the highest benchmark for controlling deposits, improving engine performance and increasing the longevity of engines. This is called Top Tier Detergent Gasoline and a separate web site www.toptiergas.com gives more details on detergents and engine performance.

A statement from Shell’s website highlights the company’s policy that “cleaning agents are important and the company’s research shows that fuels with more cleaning agents can remove deposits left behind by low detergency gasolines.”

While I’ve not been aware of problems with sludge in my 1996 Nissan Pathfinder or our 2003 Chevy Astro Van, I came across a forum for Lexus owners where one person who posted complained that his Toyota was burning oil. Answers given indicated there may be a sludge build-up in the engine.

What about ARCO and the AM PM brand since it’s less cost?

On the ARCO web site is this statement, “ARCO fuel meets or exceeds all EPA and ASTM standards for quality and provides what modern cars need to run well. Our additive levels in ARCO fuel are sufficient to keep fuel-injectors clean.”

Since my wife and I have always owned and driven used cars, I’ve never been choosy about gasoline brands. I feel that ARCO offers enough quality for the price I pay to keep my car running smoothly. However, I also have trust in the other top brands so that stopping at a gas station is usually a matter of convenience.

I also recommend consumers log on to the web sites of the oil companies to educate themselves and read the statements on not only the quality of gas but also improving fuel efficiency.

Each of the web sites is well organized and easy to navigate. In addition, some of them may offer discount coupons, too. I included a video that is from 2008 so the gasoline prices aren't as high now. It states how Ohio does not test for the quality of gas.

For more information on the oil and gas industry, log on to www.factsonfuel.org. It’s also a well-organized informative site giving a comprehensive view of how gasoline is produced in the United States.

Another site giving more technical information on gasoline is www.howstuffworks.com/gasoline2.htm.

It’s great for students to learn about the chemistry of gasoline and oil.