BP vs Texaco

[dosco]

I thought all the refiners sell their product to everybody? Further, I thought that once the stuff goes into the pipeline there is no way to differentiate between brands.

Are the refiners now somehow ensuring that only "their" stuff gets to "their" retail facilities?

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by dosco

I thought all the refiners sell their product to everybody? Further, I thought that once the stuff goes into the pipeline there is no way to differentiate between brands.

Are the refiners now somehow ensuring that only "their" stuff gets to "their" retail facilities?

Raw gasoline is raw gasoline. The difference is in the additives that the different brands use.

[dosco]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Raw gasoline is raw gasoline. The difference is in the additives that the different brands use.

So then what's the difference between brands? Placebo effect?

[Jay2TheRescue]

The physical difference between the brands is their additive package. I'm sure marketing plays into this somehow as a preceived effect as well.

[dosco]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

The physical difference between the brands is their additive package. I'm sure marketing plays into this somehow as a preceived effect as well.

Where are the additives added? Presumably in the pipeline there can be no differentiation in additive packages...?

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by dosco

Where are the additives added? Presumably in the pipeline there can be no differentiation in additive packages...?

The additives are added at the depot where the fuel trucks are loaded.

I remember when I worked for the USMC I used to be a manager at a fuel station on Quantico MCB. It would usually say "Unbranded Citgo" or "Unbranded Crown" on the bill of lading. I asked the driver what this meant, and he said that the additives were not put in the fuel before it was added to his truck.

-Jay

[bowtieguy]

Originally Posted by Ford Man

I plan to use only Texaco for a while just to see if I get any large variations or not, so time will tell. I used to use whatever was cheapest, but then I got the BP credit card that gives 5% rebate and started using it nearly all the time and I just recently started using some Texaco because their price at one local station is nearly as cheap as BP including the 5% rebate. The 5% rebate is not worth loosing 10-15% on FE. I may not be the brightest bulb in the box, but I know 10-15% savings beats the hell out of 5%.

discover has a gas rewards card of 5%, obviously any brand will qualify. shell has one as well, again 5%.

[Ford Man]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy

discover has a gas rewards card of 5%, obviously any brand will qualify. shell has one as well, again 5%.

The Discover card only gives 5% rebate on the first $100. of gas or car care products each month. With 5 cars, a motorcycle and two riding mowers in the family I exceed $100. in the first 2 weeks of the month. I haven't tried Shell gasoline in a long time so I don't know what kind of results I would get from it. I used to use 76 sometimes and it always seemed to get pretty good mileage.

[bowtieguy]

Originally Posted by Ford Man

The Discover card only gives 5% rebate on the first $100. of gas or car care products each month.

that's precisely why i have 3 cards that give 3-5% cash back.

[Sludgy]

It's not just ethanol. Benzene and other aromatics have lower energy than alkanes and olefins. Gasoline made with lots of aromatics will provide less mileage.