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Author Topic: Paying less for more? Post a Reply Back to Topics
ignitedTX

Rookie Author
Waco

Posts:6
Points:42,570
Joined:May 2011
Message Posted: May 15, 2011 5:26:51 PM

I recently made a trip from Central TX to Eastern NE. While there, I purchased "Plus" Unleaded for 10 cents LESS a gallon than I usually pay for Regular Unleaded. Their Regular Unleaded was similar in price to what I normally pay but I wondered why they could sell "Plus" Unleaded for less than Regular Unleaded. I asked a station manager & he said it was due to the amount of less expensive ethanol in the fuel. This was the only place I've traveled & saw this happen. Any ideas on this managers' theory?
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f250jbh
Sophomore Author California

Posts:208
Points:191,450
Joined:Oct 2008
Message Posted: Jan 10, 2012 11:09:30 AM

Just read this On Line article >>
Is no-name gas as good as brand-name gas?
By Tara Baukus Mello • Bankrate.com

Dear Driving for Dollars,
I've been told by my mechanic that gas purchased from a nonbranded gas station is not the same quality gas as at a name-brand gas station, and it can damage my engine. Is there any truth to this?
-- BettyShare this story

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Dear Betty,
According to the Department of Energy, all gasoline is refined through the same process and must meet the same set of federal standards. The so-called no-name stations purchase their gas from whatever supplier is the cheapest at the time, so there are plenty of occasions in which the no-name station is filling their tanks with name-brand gas. It's just that they are not allowed to advertise the brand.

That said, there is a group of gasoline retailers that has pledged to meet a set of increased standards known as top-tier detergent gasoline. Top-tier retailers have gone through a certification process that proves they've increased the amount of detergent additives in their gasoline beyond Environmental Protection Agency requirements. Some people feel the increase in additives leads to higher-quality gasoline because detergent additives are supposed to provide optimal performance and decrease engine deposits.

Finally, be careful about what you think of as no-name gas. Some of these top-tier retailers -- there were 22 at press time -- are name-brand companies such as Chevron Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell, while others would likely be perceived by some as no-name companies, for instance Kwik Trip Inc. and Mileage Stations.

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If you have a car question, email it to us at Driving for Dollars. Read more Driving for Dollars columns and Bankrate auto stories. Follow her on Facebook here or on Twitter @SheDrives.
Bankrate's content, including the guidance of its advice-and-expert columns and this website, is intended only to assist you with financial decisions. The content is broad in scope and does not consider your personal financial situation. Bankrate recommends that you seek the advice of advisers who are fully aware of your individual circumstances before making any final decisions or implementing any financial strategy. Please remember that your use of this website is governed by Bankrate's Terms of Use.

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Read more: No-Name Gas As Good As Brand-Name Gas? | Bankrate.com http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/no-name-gas-good-brand-name-gas.aspx#ixzz1j4WIfg1Z
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manaknight14
All-Star Author Pennsylvania

Posts:545
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Joined:Oct 2011
Message Posted: Jan 10, 2012 10:35:01 AM

When you see a higher price for regular gas than for higher octane gas, it's because the regular is ethanol-free (E0) and the higher grade is not. This is a very common thing in big corn-growing states like Nebraska and South Dakota. If your car runs on regular, you are probably better off buying the more expensive E0 than the cheaper plus grade. Ethanol-free gas will give your car a boost in mpg and in the end will most likely save you more money than buying the cheaper plus grade and getting fewer miles out of it.

[Edited by: manaknight14 at 1/10/2012 10:35:34 AM EST]
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13Octane
Champion Author Tucson

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Points:332,165
Joined:Aug 2005
Message Posted: Jan 9, 2012 10:33:40 PM

PLEASE dont try to figure this out, for you never will. its like the cable companies.
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1OILMAN
Champion Author Alabama

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Points:181,140
Joined:Mar 2011
Message Posted: May 23, 2011 4:15:41 PM

Seeing as how reg U/L accounts for 80-85% of sales...and...one does not get all grades of fuel each time a delivery is made and since this was posted during a time of much price volatility, chances are he bought the plus on a down price day, the next reg was much higher and he just moved price on reg and not on plus. Didn't hike the plus to make the extra spread on plus when he could. Yep it happens from time to time. Customers get kind of freaky about things and all kinds of rumors get started when you think you are doing the right thing.
Sometimes, thank you is enough.
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MertieMan
Champion Author Lexington

Posts:14,928
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Message Posted: May 23, 2011 8:19:00 AM

Why would you put ethyl gas into a car that was meant to run on 87 octane no matter what the price is? You gain absolutely nothing by this and in the process you may clog up your intakes.
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zdcatc12
Champion Author Jacksonville

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Points:808,715
Joined:Nov 2010
Message Posted: May 23, 2011 5:56:01 AM

Doesn't know what he is talking about.
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sweeteddy
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Joined:Aug 2006
Message Posted: May 23, 2011 12:21:41 AM

no
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WEPSMAN
Champion Author South Dakota

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Points:2,049,025
Joined:Mar 2005
Message Posted: May 22, 2011 8:16:31 AM

Fuel enriched with ethanol here is consistantly 10 cents a gallon cheaper than regular.
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Rjm8398
Sophomore Author California

Posts:122
Points:26,075
Joined:Apr 2011
Message Posted: May 16, 2011 12:47:27 AM

It is because ehtanol is grown in that area. Same thing with North Dakota. Ethanol actually reduces fuel efficiency though, so the difference in price will make up for itself
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