How do we know we are getting premium gas when we pay for it?
 

Pardon my cynicism, but after you push the button on the gas pump suggesting you want premium gas, are we really getting it?

I believe my county checks occasionally that they price a gallon of gas for an honest gallon of fluid. But what about the gas itself?

Some times I actually notice a difference in the way the car drives.

Please suggest I should be more accepting of the American businessman.

:mad:

I take my small testing glass with me. A simple whiff, a quick swish about the teeth and gums and voila'!;)

How much of the "other" gas is still in the pump lines?

Are you suggesting the business people don't place their valued customer's satisfaction over such a gross thing as profit?:rolleyes:

www.Toptiergas.com Look under retailers.

If it's a corporately owned station, they're more than likely playing by the rules. If it's independantly owned, well...you pays your money and you takes your chances.

The ONLY real way to know if you are getting 93 octane is to have a sample tested.

Many times customers who THOUGHT they were getting 93 octane, actually got 90-91 octane fuel.

I personally notice that higher octane gas has a clearly noticable vapour & stronger odour than regular.

STARVATION IS GOD'S WAY OF PUNISHING THOSE THAT HAVE NO FAITH IN CAPITALISM !!!!


:mad:;)

I've wondered about the gas left in the lines too, its less of a deal the more you buy at once.....but that long hose and the pipes in the pump can probably hold nearly a gallon of whatever the last person used....

It is my understanding there is both basic gasoline and alcohol lines connected in a gas pump. When you push or select "premium", the pump just mixes more alcohol into the basic mixture. The same goes for mid-grade. The content of alcohol in the fuel determines the octane.

I would think that type of system would be way too risky. If the pump malfunctioned it might dump pure alcohol into your tank vs. a mix....with bad results.

I am pretty sure the stations at the very least have a tank of regular and premium and the pump might blend those to make midgrade.....and I bet many stations have separate tanks for all three.

Best way to evaluate is to speculate how badly you feel the seller wants to remain in business. And avoid being sued. And staying out of jail.

Which might actually mean the independent operators play by the rules more closely than the corporations, because they don't have the "ability" to deflect issues with the law like the big guys....

Interesting....

Regular, Midgrade, Premium
 

As I understand the local station manages Gasoline (three grades) is that they have two grades in the ground, and mid grade is a mixture of the two.

I got a bad tank of gas once at an independent - water or something - much grief and new catalytic converter later - I have never gone back.

The guy remains in business. So I'm guessing his cheap prices make a difference.

Those were the days I would drive 200 miles a day, just to get to the office, so buying gas was a daily event.

Guess this is another reason to buy diesel - though diesel bigots have told stories of bad gas stations. With diesel, it's usually all the same grade.

Two underground tanks - one the highest octane and one the lowest. A blend valve controls the proportion to match what grade you choose. For your education on a Saturday - read all about it.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/gas-pump.htm