Using non-detergent gasoline and future regrets.

[Phil B]

In my area, Sam's typically has the cheapest gas. I have read here that it's not the greatest quality. If I add Techron to a tank every 3000 miles, will this justify not buying a higher quality fuel?

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[brkdncr]

In my area, Sam's typically has the cheapest gas. I have read here that it's not the greatest quality. If I add Techron to a tank every 3000 miles, will this justify not buying a higher quality fuel?

How much are you saving?

 

[Phil B]

5.00 to 10.00 a tank. I run premium.

 

[Brian_B]

Good question.

I stopped running anything but top tier fuel after noticing two things:

One was my first car, when I was broke all the time, and it started to have injector issues around 60k miles. This was a '96, and it was years ago, and that's what the Techron is supposed to prevent, so I'm not gonna harp on that - I honestly want to know the answer to your question too. $20 every 10 fillups is a lot cheaper than an additional $10 every fillup, if it can prevent this.

The second was the quality seemed to be inconsistent. Not always - most of the time it was ok. But every few fill-ups, I would get one that would cause the truck to hesitate and/or get crappy mileage. My dad would always say "water in the gas" - which may or may not be true. And that very well may be a station-by-station thing and isn't universal to non-Top Tier gas. Sams is big enough that may not be an issue.

So, I can't answer your question, but following to see what others say.

 

[CalvinT]

Chevron sells Top Tier gas. That doesn't mean their additive package is the same as other Top Tier sellers. It just means it meets Top Tier standards.

If you're concerned maybe you should put a bottle of Techron fuel additive in your tank every few fill ups.

https://www.consumerreports.org/car...r-gasoline-worth-the-extra-price-a7682471234/

It also depends on how long you expect to own your Bronco.

The government mandates standards for gasoline. That includes a minimum detergent level, sulfur content, vapor pressure and oxygenates (change by time of year and elevation) and more.

https://www.epa.gov/gasoline-standards/learn-about-gasoline


Edit: Because of EPA regulations all brands of gas are the same when they leave the refinery. The additive packages are added at the tank farm before being distributed to retailers. (At least that's how it works in the Phoenix area)

 

[zuke]

While Top Tier fuel is a good standard, In my area I've noticed that the top tier brands don't sell a lot of fuel, and with the hygroscopic properties of ethanol blends, volume moving through those tanks is pretty important too, you have to balance both the cost, and the freshness of the fuel with current gasolines.

I generally hit Wawa or 7 Elevens that are right on my normal route, knowing that the fuel I'm getting has been delivered today or the day before, and does have some decent quality, is good enough for me, and has been my modus operandi for around 20 years.

If I'm on the road and in unfamiliar territory, I look for a Top Tier fuel station that's also busy (Frequently end up at an Exxon).

Costco, Sams, and other Clubs are out for me. Quality is too spotty, no amount of additives you add is going to make up for a tank of 1% water.

 

[Rspayde]

While Top Tier fuel is a good standard, In my area I've noticed that the top tier brands don't sell a lot of fuel, and with the hygroscopic properties of ethanol blends, volume moving through those tanks is pretty important too, you have to balance both the cost, and the freshness of the fuel with current gasolines.

I generally hit Wawa or 7 Elevens that are right on my normal route, knowing that the fuel I'm getting has been delivered today or the day before, and does have some decent quality, is good enough for me, and has been my modus operandi for around 20 years.

If I'm on the road and in unfamiliar territory, I look for a Top Tier fuel station that's also busy (Frequently end up at an Exxon).

Costco, Sams, and other Clubs are out for me. Quality is too spotty, no amount of additives you add is going to make up for a tank of 1% water.

Where are we getting this 1% water claim? Really just genuinely curious as I will typically fill up at Costco so if there are warranted concerns I'd like to make a change.

 

[zuke]

Where are we getting this 1% water claim? Really just genuinely curious as I will typically fill up at Costco so if there are warranted concerns I'd like to make a change.

I have nothing to back that up and didn't make that claim for the clubs. Anything I say is anecdotal, so weigh it with that in mind. But the clubs do buy the cheapest fuel of the day, and that means they might be getting fuel out of rotation from the tank yard, or the last drops of winter blend in July.

The Valero's in my area are Top Tier fuel though, and some of them sell so little fuel that I doubt their tanks are lucky enough to see a full rotation of fuel in a month.

 

[timhood]

I have nothing to back that up and didn't make that claim for the clubs. Anything I say is anecdotal, so weigh it with that in mind. But the clubs do buy the cheapest fuel of the day, and that means they might be getting fuel out of rotation from the tank yard, or the last drops of winter blend in July.

That is not at all how Costco works. They don't buy "the cheapest fuel of the day." They have contracts with specific suppliers, the same suppliers that likely supply many other gas stations in your area. A difference is that they have a high-quality additive that is considered as good as the best.

Anyone who thinks Costco fuel has any chance of containing water because of age has never been to a Costco gas station and done the math. At my Costco gas, there are 16 pumps capable of 10 gallons per minute. Often, there's a line. At half-capacity (allowing for vehicles to enter and leave, payment authorization and taking out and putting away the hose), that's 80 gallons per minute or 4,800 gallons per hour of fuel flowing. How old is that fuel?

Costco is Top Tier fuel with a high-quality additive. It's cheaper because they don't pay 25 cents per gallon franchise fees. That is the price that I was quoted when I looked into a franchise about 10 years ago--it's likely even higher now. Plus, Costco knows if you're there for the fuel, theres a good chance you might come into the store, but even if you don't, they know you're going to have a happy experience saving money that you'll be a loyal customer. I'm saving about 40-45 cents per gallon buying Costco gas with my Costco Visa.

 

[Phil B]

I have considered a Costco membership, primarily to buy gas. What is holding me back is the fact that the place is always packed. 10-15 cars in line at the pumps.

 

[zuke]

That is not at all how Costco works. They don't buy "the cheapest fuel of the day." They have contracts with specific suppliers, the same suppliers that likely supply many other gas stations in your area. A difference is that they have a high-quality additive that is considered as good as the best.

Anyone who thinks Costco fuel has any chance of containing water because of age has never been to a Costco gas station and done the math. At my Costco gas, there are 16 pumps capable of 10 gallons per minute. Often, there's a line. At half-capacity (allowing for vehicles to enter and leave, payment authorization and taking out and putting away the hose), that's 80 gallons per minute or 4,800 gallons per hour of fuel flowing. How old is that fuel?

Costco is Tip Tier fuel with a high-quality additive. It's cheaper because they don't pay 25 cents per gallon franchise fees. That is the price that I was quoted when I looked into a franchise about 10 years ago--it's likely even higher now. Plus, Costco knows if you're there for the fuel, theres a good chance you might come into the store, but even if you don't, they know you're going to have a happy experience saving money that you'll be a loyal customer. I'm saving about 40-45 cents per gallon buying Costco gas with my Costco Visa.

I just checked, And you're right, Costco is Top Tier gas since 2014, Which tells you when the last time I visited Costco is....

Unfortunately for me, the nearest Costco (With Gas) is 30 minutes off my daily route, so still not practical for me, But I'll think more highly of them going forward.

 

[CalvinT]

Many people don't realize that Costco doesn't make a profit from their gas or tire sales. They strive to break even. That's why their gas price is so low. They consider it a "perk" for the members just like the hot dogs. A few years ago I was in a local Costco near the end of the year. They were joking that the auto department was going to make a penny profit for the year.

Costco's business model is to make make their profit from membership fees. They just mark up enough to cover fixed and variable costs for the store.

 

[Acadist]

I have considered a Costco membership, primarily to buy gas. What is holding me back is the fact that the place is always packed. 10-15 cars in line at the pumps.

Go in the morning before 9

 

[adam1991]

Edit: Because of EPA regulations all brands of gas are the same when they leave the refinery. The additive packages are added at the tank farm before being distributed to retailers. (At least that's how it works in the Phoenix area)

That's how it works everywhere.

Except at Costco.

Kirkland fuel is Top Tier. It's also generally less expensive than other fuel in the area. Right now it's $2.96 and $3.96, a dime or two cheaper than everyone else in the area except for Sam's, which has the same prices.

But Costco does something no one else does: they store their own custom additive package on site, where it gets mixed in with every tanker delivery.

This allows them to buy whatever fuel is available, but deliver their specified quality to their customers. They're in complete control of that, without question.

At the same price as Sam's, and a dime or two less than the rest of the area.

I buy only Costco and Shell gasoline--and Shell only when it's not convenient to buy from Costco.

I work in a regional territory, and can usually find Costco gas. Daily, here at home, I will go 8 miles to get Costco fuel.

I will not buy grocery store gas. Or gas from those mega-convenience stores that are popping up like weeds.

This presentation explains Costco's practices:

https://web.archive.org/web/2019012...DEF/Fuel Additives_Hurlocker_2013_Tuesday.pdf

 

[adam1991]

While Top Tier fuel is a good standard, In my area I've noticed that the top tier brands don't sell a lot of fuel, and with the hygroscopic properties of ethanol blends, volume moving through those tanks is pretty important too, you have to balance both the cost, and the freshness of the fuel with current gasolines.

Which is why I use Costco. They get multiple tankers full per day, they do such a brisk business.

Costco, Sams, and other Clubs are out for me. Quality is too spotty, no amount of additives you add is going to make up for a tank of 1% water.

I have no idea where you get that idea about Costco.

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