Does Gas Station Brand Actually Change MPG? 🤔⛽️

[MaverickDragon]

I'm thinking there is less difference between top tier fuel brands, than between a top tier and an "anything they can get" station.
I've also noticed that the off brand stations seem to be carrying E-15 fuel, which I refuse to use.

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[Cherokee]

Is top tier gas worth the extra cost?

It does not cost more at the pump, it cost you less over time.
In repairs.

 

[MavStangVa]

I usually get gas at Shell, Exxon, or Mobil with money off from Upside. I filled once with Murphy, which had top tier sticker on the pump, but they are NOT top tier I learned after. Local errand MPG is usually in the 25 to 26 mpg. That tank I got 17 mpg! And the next few tanks were lower, I ran them below 1/4 before filling, until it finally was out of the system. That was back in the fall.

 

[Joaquin F]

https://www.toptiergas.com/gasoline-brands/

I tend to buy Sunoco or Valero.

I am in LA, and I can not find any brand near me that is not on the list.

 

[Cherokee]

I usually get gas at Shell, Exxon, or Mobil with money off from Upside. I filled once with Murphy, which had top tier sticker on the pump, but they are NOT top tier I learned after. Local errand MPG is usually in the 25 to 26 mpg. That tank I got 17 mpg! And the next few tanks were lower, I ran them below 1/4 before filling, until it finally was out of the system. That was back in the fall.

That was most likely water in the ground tank.
And or lots of other sediments.
I use BP and the station goes through tankers really quick.
Always pick a station that pumps a shit ton of fuel. Fresher fuel is good.

Shit Ton = a bunch of tankers showing up all the time.
Crap ton same same:’P

 

[Pointyears]

I am in LA, and I can not find any brand near me that is not on the list.

The big one for me was the omission of Sheetz.

 

[Pointyears]

That was most likely water in the ground tank.
And or lots of other sediments.
I use BP and the station goes through tankers really quick.
Always pick a station that pumps a shit ton of fuel. Fresher fuel is good.

Shit Ton = a bunch of tankers showing up all the time.
Crap ton same same:’P

While you might have fresher fuel from the constant tanker activity, the water in the tank is constantly agitated and doesn't have an opportunity to stay settled at the bottom.

 

[svogt302]

I try to use Costco cause of price. What's everyone's opinion on costco?

Costco gas is Top Tier rated

 

[A112358]

I worked for 7 years for one of the old "7 sisters" oil companies.
Gasoline branding is a tricky subject. Not every gas station brand has its own refinery in every market. In many market areas, the companies use "exchange agreements" to get their supply of fuel, which means for example an Exxon refinery might supply gas to Chevron stations in city X and vice versa in city Y. And at the end of the month (or however frequent), Chevron and Exxon settle the difference in volumes supplied by each refinery in cash or otherwise.

I'm pretty sure Costco or Sam's Club don't have their own refineries, so their stations get supplied from whichever refinery is close by. Ditto for 7-11, Circle K and the other "off-brands."

 

[ugfbill]

I noticed a difference between a couple of stations.
A discount gas station was 10 cents cheaper than the Shell across the street.
I noticed fewer mpg's with the cheap gas, on a very similar trip and the mpg's went back up after fill up from Shell.
IMHO, it's worth the extra 10 cents.
Full disclaimer, the cheapo-fuel was 15% ethanol, another reason why I won't use it again, but top tier fuel also has better additive packages than the brand X...

Shell is always higher. And it’s from the same refinery as the “cheaply” gas.

 

[grandpopa'sMPGs]

anyone with direct injection and a turbo charger probably use a top tier gas. Non turbo and port injection will be fine with any clean gas whether or not it is top tier.

 

[mbum56]

Anyone know what the gas is at Wawa? They just built a store near in Central PA and price is $4.19. I was getting Sunoco that is close to this new store but they raised their price by $.20.

 

[MavStangVa]

That was most likely water in the ground tank.
And or lots of other sediments.
I use BP and the station goes through tankers really quick.
Always pick a station that pumps a shit ton of fuel. Fresher fuel is good.

Shit Ton = a bunch of tankers showing up all the time.
Crap ton same same:’P

That was my thoughts also. The Murphy is in front of Walmart and usually has vehicles lined up for gas. But I won't go there again. I have filled at BP and it's good they just won't pay for the top tier signage.

 

[MavStangVa]

Shell is always higher. And it’s from the same refinery as the “cheaply” gas.

You are correct that the gas likely comes from the same refinery. Gas stations do not get gas from a refinery they get it from the bulk terminals located around the country. The additives are put in the tanker truck for the brand that is being supplied. Cheapy gas less detergents and additives, EPA minimum levels. Top tier is much higher levels and the brand pays to be labeled Top Tier.
"BP is not on the official Top Tier list primarily because they chose to stop paying the voluntary licensing and auditing fees required by the automakers who manage the program."

 

[A112358]

You are correct that the gas likely comes from the same refinery. Gas stations do not get gas from a refinery they get it from the bulk terminals located around the country. The additives are put in the tanker truck for the brand that is being supplied. Cheapy gas less detergents and additives, EPA minimum levels. Top tier is much higher levels and the brand pays to be labeled Top Tier.
"BP is not on the official Top Tier list primarily because they chose to stop paying the voluntary licensing and auditing fees required by the automakers who manage the program."

Depends on the location. In big cities, the bulk terminals are usually integrated into the refinery operation. But in less populated/rural areas, yes each brand has its own bulk terminal, receiving gas deliveries by truck or sometimes pipeline.

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