You've probably seen different companies advertise gasoline on television or online and wondered what the difference is between fuels at the gas station. With skyrocketing gas prices, you may wonder whether it's worth it to save a few cents by going to another station that is a little cheaper than the one you usually use. You may also wonder if it's really worth it to pay a premium for "higher grade" gasoline. The truth is, there is less difference between fuels at the gas station than you may think. The following are some ways you can save money at the pump without doing any damage to your car.
One of the claims you will probably see on TV or at the gas station is that certain fuels have specific additives to help clean and maintain your engine. Many of these formulas have a name brand and claim to be better for your car than other gasoline. The truth is that the government has required fuel manufacturers to include additives for this purpose since 1994, and there is little research to suggest that one additive is better than any other. State and local governments monitor fuel shipments and refineries to ensure that additives are included. You can save yourself money by choosing another brand of gas, even if it doesn't specifically contain a fuel cleaning additive.
Octane levels, usually ranging between 87 and 92, are one of the things many consumers are concerned about when they shop for gas. Higher octane levels generally cost more money, but do they make a difference? The answer is, in most cases, not really. Start by reading your owner's manual and finding out what octane level is recommended for your car. Unless your car specifically requires premium gas, don't waste your money. Higher octane levels are designed to prevent "knock", a noise in your engine caused when part of the fuel and air mixture in a cylinder ignites spontaneously. But most cars are designed to run on regular gas, and so adding a higher octane fuel doesn't improve performance or anything else. It just costs money. If you have a high-performance engine, you may need premium gas, but otherwise, save money by using regular.
The final thing you may see at gas stations are pumps offering "flex fuel". This mixture is about 85% ethanol and 15% gas, and a growing number of cars in the US can accept this type of fuel. If you car is one of these, you can find out by contacting the maker or simply checking your owner's manual. If you can use flex fuel (also known as E85) and it is cheaper, then pump away!
While there are not as many differences in gas at the gas station as you may think, most of us are still hoping to save a few dollars at the pump. Smart ways to do this include using the cheapest brand of gas at the gas station, using smarter driving habits, and including a gas-saving device that will help you get more for your money. Saving money by not filling up as often isn't just good for your wallet, it's good for the environment too!
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