Will cheap gas harm your car?
A story from Bankrate.com via Yahoo says no. Phew. Here's why: "The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, mandates that all gasoline meet certain standards for detergent additives that combat potential deposits on an engine's valves. In addition, gasoline is periodically tested at the pump to make sure it meets minimum octane ratings for regular, mid-range and premium levels."
So the cheap stuff meets EPA standards, but it may differ from what's coming out of the pump at Chevron or Shell. "At the fuel depot, where gasoline from the refiner is dispensed, a lot of brands mix in their own formula of additives that they say goes beyond what the federal government requires...Gas companies that meet these standards include QuikTrip, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Shell, MFA Oil Company, Kwik Trip/Kwik Star, The Somerset Refinery Inc., Aloha Petroleum, Tri-Par Oil Co., Texaco, Petro-Canada and Sunoco-Canada." Makers of cars like Audi, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen suggest drivers use gas that meets standards above those set by the EPA.
You can also buy gas additive for a few bucks. Bankrate does the math: "So, a 20-gallon fill-up at a Chevron or another Top Tier station that costs 10 cents a gallon more than the rate at Joe's bargain gas means a driver would pay $2 more to get those additional additives. Assuming one such fill-up a week, a driver would save $104 a year by buying at Joe's, a savings that would more than cover a twice-a-year purchase of a bottle of detergent additive."
