Hi again, I came out of lurker land to report how the car's doing, and show how I'm doing in making my car just a little bit cooler!

Maybe this might help for those of you not-so-car-saavy people like me that are experiencing what I went through, so I'd thought I'd share.

Symptoms: Poor gas mileage, significant loss of power:

Actions Taken: I took the advice on the O2 sensor, but when I took it to a shop, they said that the injectors and throttle body just needed cleaning, and that the O2 sensor was fine. I went ahead and got an oil change (but forgot to ask for synthetic oil!) while I was at it. Cost: $130.00.

Cleaned K&N air filter with K&N's Recharging Kit (God, was it dirty! I spent almost 3 hours cleaning what should have been a 30 minute job! :mad . Cost: $12.00.

Re-inflated all tires to within 2 PSI of their stated maximum limit (in my case, inflating all tires to 42/44 PSI). Cost: $1.99 for a tire gauge, and $0.50 for the air (and 1 video arcade token; the guy at 76 said it would work just fine! ).

*Planned for the near future* Replace the Fuel Filter; it's quite old. Cost: Don't know off the top of my head.

Results: I noticed that I didn't have to apply as much pressure to the gas pedal to get the same amount, if not greater, of power. The engine sounds a lot healthier too.

Symptom: Car jerks slightly when shifting, despite how the tachometer is only in the 1-2000 range (it's an automatic by the way):

Actions Taken: I was told I'd have to have the transmission serviced sometime soon. No big deal, but it's one of those things that I was told you might want to taken care of soon. Cost: $80.00.

Results: Not known.

Symptom: Car grounds out all the time, as if the suspension is going bad.

Actions Taken: See above with regards to re-inflating the tires.

Results: Car has not grounded out since.

Amazing how the little stupid things can fubar your car.

Here's a couple of questions from me, hope you guys can bless me with your expertise.

1. I searched the board to see what brand of gas everyone uses; I saw a lot of "Amoco" mentioned. However, when I went to Amoco's web site (www.amoco.com), I got re-directed to BP. In my area, all the BPs became either Shell or 76. Does this Amoco company own just BP, or do they own more than that, or is there something else?

2. Which brand of gas is better for daily driving, Chevron or 76? Personal experience has told me that Arco gas makes the engine knock, so I've stayed away from that. If this helps, I use the highest octane rating readily available at the pump (around here, it's 92).

Thanks again for your guys' great help!

Jason

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1989 Trans Am GTA: 350 TPI, N10 Dual Exhaust

Mods: K&N, Dynomax Super Turbo muffler, 3.5" intermediate pipe, twin Dynomax Super converters, Dunlop Sport 4000 tires.

All of us have potential...few ever realize it.

[This message has been edited by GTA-Force (edited May 16, 2001).]

 

I prefer Chevron, the Techron is a very good fuel injector cleaner and keeps them working great.

 

Usually those companies own a whole bunch of others, and sell varying grades and chemical additives under different brand names. I know BP was bought, but not by who. I guess it was Amoco
Texaco, (someone I forgot), Unocal, Mobil, and Standard (aka Chevron) are an example of varying grades of the same stuff.
Ive been using 76. Chevron is good too. Shell has alot of additives you dont want/need. Texaco is ok. Arco is ok if you find a decent station, but most of them end up (or ask for?) fuel thats probably 90% water and 10% fuel