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.

__________________
Thanks for the help
Bill Fisher

'86 560SL (186K) - Now a 'classic' : Registered as an Historic Vehicle
02 E430 in the stable
'14 LS460 (Lexus)
- - - - -
'95 E420 (198K) found a new home
'99 E320 (80K) (gave it's life for me as we hit a bumper)
'95 E420 (231K) Sold to a happy buyer, new to Mercedes
'90 300E (65K) Sold to an Mercedes Lover
'92 190E (215K) - retired to the salvage yard
'93 500SEL (214K) - Moved to another family, still runs like a young pup

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?

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.

__________________
A.S.E Tech A1,A6,A7,A8 & MVAC 609 + EPA 608

Unless stated otherwise, any question I ask is about my greymarket 1985 380SEL.

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.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

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 !!!!

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

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....

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

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.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

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.

__________________
Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

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....

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

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

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600