Is Shopping Around For Gas a Waste of Your Time?
How many times has this happened to you? Your fuel gauge is empty, and there’s a gas station directly ahead of you. However, you don’t stop since it is not your usual gas station. You continue to drive on your tank reserve until you come across a familiar or favorite gas station.
We all have our different methods of shopping for gas, but many of us clearly have the wrong impression about the gasoline market. There are misconceptions that should be cleared up that will save you time, money, and improve your engine when buying gas.
Misconception: Brand name gas stations provide better gas (Sunoco better than Local Joe’s Gas)!
Right or Wrong: WRONG! Gas comes from crude oil that is drilled from oil reserves underground. Crude oil is then sent to refineries that separate petroleum among other oils from the crude oil source (http://science.howstuffworks.com/gasoline2.htm). The refining process is fairly standard; therefore, the resulting fuel is fairly standard. Oil companies put additives that claim to provide better performance, but don’t make significant changes to your daily driving. There is no way of knowing which refinery each gas station purchased their fuel from and it won’t help trying to figure that out so don’t waste your time!
Misconception: Prices at gas station depend on the quality of gas, (More Money = More Better)!
Right or Wrong: WRONG! Majority of the price of gas depends on the price of crude oil at that time. The second and third largest factors are taxes and refining costs. Most gas stations only mark up the price per gallon only by a small percentage (equaling a few cents) for profit. While the price of crude oil is standard and the refining processes is similar for many refineries, the variation in prices has a lot more to do with the location of the station and how state and local taxes affect business (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-consumption/gas-price1.htm) so don’t drive to Beverly Hills BP to pay $8.00/gal expecting better gas, only drive there for the better looking gas attendants!
Misconception: Premium gas is better for your engine
Right or Wrong: DEPENDS! Premium gas is petroleum with an octane level above 87. Premium provides better performance for engines specifically designed to use this fuel. Using a lower octane level than recommended can cause your fuel to ignite much earlier than normal, and cause damage to engine (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-consumption/question901.htm). Remember this, buying premium for a car that doesn’t require premium will not boost performance and it won’t turn your Geo Metro into a Porsche 911.
When shopping for gas, keep in mind that the industry is much more standardized that we think. It is rare for you to get a blend of gasoline that will harm or destroy your engine. However, whichever octane fuel you decided to use, try and be consistent. Consistently using the same fuel, will provide consistent performance from your vehicle (mpgs). So give yourself and your car a break, stop worrying and go get some gas!
Gakuo Ndonga
Tags: BP, Gas, High Price, Low Price, Saving, Station, Sunoco
