dmclone said:
I read somewhere that the whole gasoline at different stations is a myth. Something about in the old days each would have their own blend but now the EPA decides the blends. This is why you see one truck fill up multiple stations. I don't know whether this is true or not but it wouldn't surprise me.
When it relates to Joe's Gas, yes "Joe" doesn't have a refinery and thus he buys from whoever is giving him the best deal. So, it could be decent fuel or not. You pays your money and ya takes yer chances when using gas stations of that type.
However, if you go to a BP/Amoco, you are getting fuel made by BP/Amoco with it's additive pacakge. If you go to Shell, you will get Shell made and formulated fuel.
You won't find BP/Amoco fuel in a Shell pump. And, the fuel is NOT the same in this scenario.
Now, go to a Speedway, or GasCity or any big chain type gas station and it would be your guess as to what fuel there is in there. It could possibly be the same fuel that Joe's is selling.
You'd have to call the corporation of the chain and ask which supplier sells fuel to them.
So, the myth is a myth. There is different fuel at different stations depending on the station and who operates it. My preference is Amoco/BP. I like that their fuel is clear. It's probably more marketing, but I like the way their fuel makes my cars run.
In the Chicago area we have a LOT of Speedway gas stations and their fuel varies in smell and appearnce and in function. I ride motorcycles as well and you can see the fuel you're using when you fill up. Amoco/BP truly is clear. Shell is close but darker. Speedway and smaller no name gas stations can have Mountain Dew looking fuel which can range from there to more brown to more red. There IS a difference in appearance and smell.
So, it's not all the same fuel.
The EPA requires that fuel meet certain regulations and that the fuel you buy is the fuel you get. So, if you buy 93 octane you are not getting 90. So, yes there are reg's that require certain things and may exclude certain things, but overall there is room to play and that keeps a competitive market for quality. Most people don't care. Their view of quality is what is the cheapest per gallon. That would be my parents. But then, they drive low/no performance vehicles like most people. :biggrin:
I want the most performance our of my vehicles as I can get, so I pay attention to the fuel I buy.
TT