Fuel Station Options-WWYD?

[JoeDirt41]

I’ve got three main options for fuel around me, varying in convenience and price. Obviously we want Top Tier fuel at the best price possible and the most convenient location too, but each option available to me has certain advantages and disadvantages. I’m curious what the forum thinks is the overall best option. For the record, my two vehicles are a 2015 F150 2.7L EcoBoost (GDI and turbocharged) and a 1997 Accord 2.2L VTEC (port injected and naturally aspirated).

Option 1: Sheetz- this is the most convenient option, there is one 2 minutes from my house and other locations all over. I usually stop for coffee on the way to school anyways and regardless I drive by everyday. The one near my house is ~15 years old, very busy, high volume (so likely fresh fuel all the time). However, it is the most expensive option and it is not top-tier.

Option 2: BJ’s Wholesale- less convenient than Sheetz, only one location near me, still only about 10 minutes away from home, but I’m not driving past in my normal commute so it requires going out of the way. Only about 4 years old and very high volume so fuel should always be fresh. By far the lowest prices (anywhere from 40-60 cents cheaper than everywhere else). However, not top tier.

Option 3: Shell- older station, but they’ve got almost new in-ground tanks. Only about 7 minutes from home, but also requires going out of the way. Using fuel rewards, it is maybe 10 cents less expensive than Sheetz, but still 30-50 cents more than BJs. It is Top Tier, but this is a much, much lower volume station than the other two, so freshness is unknown.

Given these three options, where are you filling up?

 

[UNC196]

I wish there was a way to know if their pumps are running filters or just bypass…and when the filters were changed. My last fuel filter swap on my LZ0 had a bunch of red sand type grit in the bottom of the filter housing. It also had what looked like fine sand.

 

[OilStained]

I have a 76 and Arco around the corner that I don’t frequent unless in a pinch. That said, I’ve been to the Arco like 2 or 3 times in the past 3 decades. The 76 once or twice.

I go somewhere else, 2 miles away, national brand. Was shell, now Sinclair.

As for a suggestion for you, anything that is convenient at the time. I know this doesn’t help much. Just wanted to join the convo.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If you want top tier, and only one of the stations is top tier, then use the top tier.

Otherwise, BJ.

Sheetz is good if you're also going inside to get something to eat, or getting coffee like you already do.

 

[rstsco]

Honda was one of the founding members, so-to-speak, of Top Tier gasoline after recognizing the EPA LAC (Lowest Additive Concentration) was not adequate for controlling deposits in engines. Ford joined the fray later, so both manufacturers now recommend using Top Tier fuel. (It's not lost on me that both also recommend using 0W-20 oil, even if you live in Death Valley, CA)

Found this in AAA's release of their study of benefits of using Top Tier fuels:

"Despite the fact that two-thirds of U.S. drivers believe there is a difference in quality of gasoline sold by different gas stations, a AAA survey reveals that Americans value convenience and price over quality when it comes to selecting a gas station."

You might want to ask the Shell station how often they get a tanker. Seems if they're willing to invest in new tanks, they must be doing enough volume to justify their cost.

Some quick math(ish): A tanker holds ~8,500 gallons. If the station has 85 cars/day taking 10 gallons of gas, that's still only 10 days per tanker. Least not forget, Shell gasoline additives are considered of the highest quality and also helps stabilize the fuel.

Personally, my Pilot gets fed Shell. Using a non-Top Tier gasoline isn't going to cause any damage today or tomorrow, but it's the cumulative effects over many miles that catches up eventually. I want to do what I can today to give my vehicle the best chance of lasting so we never have to buy another before we hang up our keys due to old(er) age.

 

[Boomer]

A mechanic at the VW dealer where I get my VWs serviced told me that whenever they get in a vehicle with injector issues, the gas the owner is using is Sheetz. I once had a Chevy pickup (before Top Tier came onto my radar) and used Sheetz. All the injectors had to be pulled and replaced due to crud. I would avoid that fuel at all costs. I go out of my way in the town where I live to get to the only Top Tier station, a Sunoco that is fairly busy. The only other stations in town are Sheetz.

My feelings? Go to Shell.

 

[DCDG]

All I can suggest is cheap prices = cheap fuel. Lower cost now = higher costs later.

 

[405fwy]

My old Camry has seen Sam's Club and Grocery Store chain fuel for most of its life and didn't have issues. If I were you, I'd just always top up when shopping at BJs, and top up whatever is convenient as needed since it sounds like you go through fuel fast enough.

I used to fill up at Cenex for E0 Top-Tier, no idea what their freshness was but it never gave me problems.

 

[4wd]

A mechanic at the VW dealer where I get my VWs serviced told me that whenever they get in a vehicle with injector issues, the gas the owner is using is Sheetz. I once had a Chevy pickup (before Top Tier came onto my radar) and used Sheetz. All the injectors had to be pulled and replaced due to crud. I would avoid that fuel at all costs. I go out of my way in the town where I live to get to the only Top Tier station, a Sunoco that is fairly busy. The only other stations in town are Sheetz.

My feelings? Go to Shell.

Gave that motor the sheetz

 

[GSCJR]

Gave that motor the sheetz

This was my initial thought too, but I don't like paying a premium for it. Maybe the unleaded 88 would be the economical choice at the pump.