In Tucson, our gas comes from two pipelines: one from New Mexico/Texas and the other from California. These pipelines deliver fuel to a tank farm where major gasoline retailers purchase it and pay to have their own high-quality additives mixed in. These additives enable the gasoline to meet Top Tier standards.
Top Tier gas is a standard established by the government. Fuel retailers voluntarily submit their fuel for testing, and if it passes, it earns the "Top Tier" certification.
That’s the good gas.
The cheap gas:
The cheap gas also comes from the same tank farms.
However, it lacks the premium additive package. Instead, it contains only the basic additives required to meet EPA MINIMUM standards. Not Top Tier standards!
While it might save you money at the pump, it can create problems, especially for European cars. You might enjoy a refreshing drink and some snacks at these stations, but you won’t get high-quality gasoline.
With cheap gas, there’s also uncertainty about how "fresh" it is. From what we’ve learned, major retailers typically receive the freshest fuel, while others do not. Modern gasoline doesn’t last as long as it used to and can go "stale" faster.
Our experience with cheap gas.
We’ve seen vehicles experience issues such as poor starting, rough running, stalling, and Check Engine Light warnings. After exhausting all other possibilities with testing, we often ask customers where they purchase fuel. In many cases, they’ve been using cheaper gas. Switching to a higher-quality brand often resolves the problem.
I experienced this firsthand with my daily driver, which had long cranking and hard starting issues on very hot days. After investigating, I discovered the problem wasn’t my car—it was the fuel I was using. This led me to research the differences in gasoline quality. I also noticed that using quality gas improved my car’s fuel mileage.
With cheap gas, the engine’s ECU (fuel management system) has to work harder to extract energy. It compensates by increasing injection time (richer mixture), backing off the timing, and adjusting the fuel strategy map to maintain smooth performance, low emissions, and engine protection. These adjustments are more challenging with lower-quality gas. Garbage in equals garbage out.
Another issue with cheap gas is deposits in the engine, which can cause running issues, reduced fuel mileage, and more. Major gasoline manufacturers add Deposit Control Additives (DCAs) to their fuel to combat these deposits. Deposits are natural byproducts of combustion, but high-quality DCAs help clean them, leading to better engine performance and fuel economy. Cheap gas, on the other hand, contains only the bare minimum DCAs allowed by the EPA.
So, are you really saving money by buying the cheap stuff? In my experience, using quality gas has improved my car’s performance and fuel efficiency.
To learn more about the importance of using good gas, visit http://toptiergas.com/.
Maintaining a European vehicle doesn’t have to be costly. With regular upkeep and professional checkups, you can significantly extend the life of your vehicle and keep repair costs manageable. Routine maintenance helps you stay informed about your car's health and allows you to address common issues before they escalate into major problems.
If you encounter any issues with your European vehicle or have any concerns, don't hesitate to reach out. As the premier European vehicle repair specialists in Tucson, Stuttgart Autohaus offers expert service and are here to address your questions and ensure your vehicle runs smoothly.
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