Cheap gas doesn't actually save you money?

Question

I have an 06 Nissan 350z, For the past few months I've been pumping the cheapest gas in the neighborhood. @ 2.40/Gal and thats ARCO

Im noticing a big difference of a drop in my miles per tank. I have been driving like a grandma for the past few months, Yet Im still gonna try pumping at 76 or Chevron.

No I dont drive with my windows down, AC is sometimes used, and yes I know about my tires, also I maintained the car and I know Im using the right octane etc etc. But cheap gas burns faster? dirties the engine making it run worse?

Anyone here have same expierience?
I live in San Jose, CA.

Im sorry thats $3.40 / Gal

While chevrons sells theirs at $3.60 / Gal

Answer 1

Arco is owned by BP. Some Arco stations might be owned by dealers or franchisees who get their fuel from another vendor (Exxon, etc.), in which case the fuel would be unbranded (i.e. generic / cheap), just as any dealer or franchisee who sells unbranded. All unbranded fuels are exactly the same.

The branded fuel at a Company Owned/Company Operated retail station would be the better quality. Wherever you go, look for branded fuel. Don't let your experience at one Arco station lead to your decision on boycotting Arco. Find an Arco station that sells BP Amoco fuel, which has been rated by customers as having the highest quality for the past 16 years.

FYI: my father-in-law had also been buying the cheapest gas he could find, and was running into trouble with his truck's performance. Come to find out he was buying E85 (85% ETOH), which his truck was not designed for. I don't think that's the case for you, but just thought I'd throw it out there.

UPDATE: In response to doyou: Additives are added at the terminal-level when the driver is loading, not at the drop site when he/she is unloading.

Answer 2

i usually get the cheap stuff, but a few weeks ago i got a tank of 101 octane just to see if it would make any difference. i drove my car harder than usual ( i'm a very aggressive driver!), and i actually got 50 more miles out of that tank! and for the next 2 or 3 weeks my mileage was about 4 or 5 more miles per gallon than usual, but it's tapering back down since then though.so yeah, i think the more expensive stuff actually helps more. but it's all expensive now though. it went up 10 cents overnight here in NE Oklahoma.

Answer 3

usally all gas get to each major city by pipeline, so it's all the same, when the tanker goes to your local gas station, they add additives. If you use cheap gas, ie ARCO, it may be lacking in additives compared to top tier gas. Once in a while put in berimans b12 additive, to take care of the carbon build up , and injectors. This will make up for it. Once or twice a year is fine, but every tank, or every 3000 miles, like the lable says, is overkill, IE waste of money

Answer 4

Cheap gas does not have the same additives. This means that it will get gunked up more obviously causing your engine to not run as smoothly. And yes I would hope you are using correct octane. Nice car.. ever think about throwing a pair of K04's on that baby?

Answer 5

Best to get if you a membership, cosco. If not, arco is the best for your money.

Answer 6

Yeah ARCO sucks. Similar experience. I think they water the gas down.

Answer 7

I don't know. I was stuck in a fetal position with my thumb in my mouth althroughout my high school auto class. *lol*

Since I'm killing my car significantly faster than other people kill theirs (I'm a pizza guy), I might as well go for the cheaper stuff anyway. :P

Answer 8

Yep cheap gas is watered down, it sucks