Gas tank Cleaners, snake oil or something to it?
#61
Lexus Fanatic
One thing that pisses me off about Shell, they build the grocery cost into their gas, especially with high test. I have found shell is consistently .30c a gallon more than Exxon, Sunoco, etc. So I only buy Shell when I have enough in gas points to make it cheaper than the other station. Yesterday my local shell station was .50c more a gallon for high test than Exxon.
#62
Pole Position
I worry more about the condition of the station, as in its equipment, and especially its underground storage tanks, than I worry about the additive package. Having been a Fleet and Facility Manager with four filling stations, I can tell you the tanks have a lifespan, in part because crap accumulates inside them. Too, older tanks are more prone to corrosion and leaks. In California, all filling stations were required to upgrade their tanks in the past few decades, so most are fine, but other states might have issues with old, dirty storage tanks.
I would imagine that name brand stations, selling "top-tier" gas, are more likely to have better underground tanks, regardless of location.
To ensure I keep my fuel system and valves clean, I run a bottle of Techroline in the tank with each oil change, but other than that, I buy gas from local discount chains like Costco. BTW...Costco puts cases of Techroline on sale several times per year.
I would imagine that name brand stations, selling "top-tier" gas, are more likely to have better underground tanks, regardless of location.
To ensure I keep my fuel system and valves clean, I run a bottle of Techroline in the tank with each oil change, but other than that, I buy gas from local discount chains like Costco. BTW...Costco puts cases of Techroline on sale several times per year.
#63
Lexus Fanatic
One thing that pisses me off about Shell, they build the grocery cost into their gas, especially with high test. I have found shell is consistently .30c a gallon more than Exxon, Sunoco, etc. So I only buy Shell when I have enough in gas points to make it cheaper than the other station. Yesterday my local shell station was .50c more a gallon for high test than Exxon.
Strange, but I'll take your word for it, at least in your part of the woods....you know your neighborhood. Across the river in the part of NoVA there I live, it's the exact opposite. The most expensive station around (far and away) is the Exxon Gas/Tiger-Mart on Oakton, VA, on Rt. 123. I don't know how these bozos stay in business, but they recently have been selling 87-Octane for $2.99, and Premium and Diesel well above $3.00. Its just off an I-66 exit, so perhaps (?) they are preying on people who were stuck in the notorious daily I-66 gridlock/accident-backups, low on gas, and just need to fill up wherever they can.
https://www.autoblog.com/oakton-va-gas-prices/
In fact, not long ago, at that same station, it was $3.19..........
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8799...7i16384!8i8192
BTW, last week, with a small discount for Shell from my Giant Food grocery-account, I paid $1.95 for 87-octane at a station in Falls Church, off Route 50.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-02-21 at 06:43 PM.
#64
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
One thing that pisses me off about Shell, they build the grocery cost into their gas, especially with high test. I have found shell is consistently .30c a gallon more than Exxon, Sunoco, etc. So I only buy Shell when I have enough in gas points to make it cheaper than the other station. Yesterday my local shell station was .50c more a gallon for high test than Exxon.
so 20 gallons of gas at .50c more is an additional $10, to drive what, 450mi.? Hardly a big deal.
#65
Lead Lap
LOL I’m the same way and it’s the same at the Shell station in my neighborhood, it’s always $0.30 higher than all of the other gas stations around it likely due to the Giant grocery store points. I never go there unless I have a $0.50 off from points.
#66
Lead Lap
It seems like a marketing thing. I was just curious if my local Sunoco was top tier and I assumed it was but it is not listed anymore. Doing a quick search online as to why and it appears they don’t want to pay for it to save money during COVID but they also said the gas remains the same.
#67
Lexus Champion
lots of good results on Corvette forums with Chevron Techron gas (or the additive) - helping sticky fuel sender units and more - so I try to use whenever possible - I have one right down the street from my local Costco so they're pretty competitive price-wise.
#68
Lexus Fanatic
The point is Shell has partnered with our largest local grocery store, we get .10c a gallon off for every $100 we spend on groceries. Then Shell just charges more than the competition to where after your gas points you just spend what you could have spent at Exxon. But you have lines of people using their gas points at shell. So when I have like .70-1.00 off a gallon (we buy a lot of groceries) then I will go get Shell.
#69
Strange, but I'll take your word for it, at least in your part of the woods....you know your neighborhood. Across the river in the part of NoVA there I live, it's the exact opposite. The most expensive station around (far and away) is the Exxon Gas/Tiger-Mart on Oakton, VA, on Rt. 123. I don't know how these bozos stay in business, but they recently have been selling 87-Octane for $2.99, and Premium and Diesel well above $3.00. Its just off an I-66 exit, so perhaps (?) they are preying on people who were stuck in the notorious daily I-66 gridlock/accident-backups, low on gas, and just need to fill up wherever they can.
https://www.autoblog.com/oakton-va-gas-prices/
In fact, not long ago, at that same station, it was $3.19..........
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8799...7i16384!8i8192
BTW, last week, with a small discount for Shell from my Giant Food grocery-account, I paid $1.95 for 87-octane at a station in Falls Church, off Route 50.
https://www.autoblog.com/oakton-va-gas-prices/
In fact, not long ago, at that same station, it was $3.19..........
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8799...7i16384!8i8192
BTW, last week, with a small discount for Shell from my Giant Food grocery-account, I paid $1.95 for 87-octane at a station in Falls Church, off Route 50.
I exclusively use Shell in all my cars, it's $2.15 for 87 where I live.
#70
Pole Position
I would imagine that name brand stations, selling "top-tier" gas, are more likely to have better underground tanks, regardless of location.
To ensure I keep my fuel system and valves clean, I run a bottle of Techroline in the tank with each oil change, but other than that, I buy gas from local discount chains like Costco. BTW...Costco puts cases of Techroline on sale several times per year.
#71
Lexus Fanatic
BTW, you mentioned HS with his daughters. Just a heads-up...if you are refering to Oakton High School (Cougars), that school is being almost completely rebuilt...there have been MAJOR construction projects ongoing with it for many months now.
I exclusively use Shell in all my cars, it's $2.15 for 87 where I live.
#72
You're right. That place has always been a rip-off, as long as I can remember. I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole....particularly with a major shopping-center right across the street. I honestly don't know how that place stays in business....except perhaps from people who don't know the area and were stuck on 66.
BTW, you mentioned HS with his daughters. Just a heads-up...if you are refering to Oakton High School (Cougars), that school is being almost completely rebuilt...there have been MAJOR construction projects ongoing with it for many months now.
Yes, that's also more or less the average price for it in my area, + or - a dime or two. If you shop at Giant Food and have an account there with a Bonus Card, you can get Shell-gas discounts. I use them routinely.
BTW, you mentioned HS with his daughters. Just a heads-up...if you are refering to Oakton High School (Cougars), that school is being almost completely rebuilt...there have been MAJOR construction projects ongoing with it for many months now.
Yes, that's also more or less the average price for it in my area, + or - a dime or two. If you shop at Giant Food and have an account there with a Bonus Card, you can get Shell-gas discounts. I use them routinely.
#73
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
About these grocery/gas co-promotion discounts, i've never seen them here... but then i pretty much don't care what i pay for gas or what gas. Cars drive identically with everything i've ever put in them. How do you redeem said discount at the gas station based on your grocery purchases?
I do know a couple of gas stations here that are clearly a rip off (way higher than everywhere else) and i don't go to those.
#74
Lexus Fanatic
About these grocery/gas co-promotion discounts, i've never seen them here... but then i pretty much don't care what i pay for gas or what gas. Cars drive identically with everything i've ever put in them. How do you redeem said discount at the gas station based on your grocery purchases?
The Safeway point-system is similar, except that they use their own company-owned (Safeway) gas stations instead of Shell. Safeway's fuel, however, unlike Shell, is clearly not Top-Tier.....so I'd be hesitant to use it. Shell has a solid reputation for high-quality detergents in the fuel.
I do know a couple of gas stations here that are clearly a rip off (way higher than everywhere else) and i don't go to those.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-04-21 at 08:08 PM.
#75
Lexus Fanatic
makes sense. Unless the turn's a beyotch. we have gas stations here where they might 'just' be on the other side of the street, but getting to them and getting back on my way just isn't worth the hassle.
About these grocery/gas co-promotion discounts, i've never seen them here... but then i pretty much don't care what i pay for gas or what gas. Cars drive identically with everything i've ever put in them. How do you redeem said discount at the gas station based on your grocery purchases?
I do know a couple of gas stations here that are clearly a rip off (way higher than everywhere else) and i don't go to those.
About these grocery/gas co-promotion discounts, i've never seen them here... but then i pretty much don't care what i pay for gas or what gas. Cars drive identically with everything i've ever put in them. How do you redeem said discount at the gas station based on your grocery purchases?
I do know a couple of gas stations here that are clearly a rip off (way higher than everywhere else) and i don't go to those.
It also likely depends on how much gas you buy. I fill the Mercedes up once a week, and the Pacifica probably twice a month. So .60c a gallon more is $72 a month more in fuel, or nearly $900 a year, just for being intentional about what station I chose to use. That aint nothing.
As for the points, how you redeem them has improved. Used to be you typed in the code on your grocery store bonus card, then your phone number, now its linked to my credit card so it always asks me if I want to use them when I insert that credit card.
I also have been using the gas apps, they have rewards too. Every gas company has an app, and you pay through them using Apple Pay, etc. You can use your points through the Shell app too.