Generic vs. Brand-Name Gas: Are They Different?

[peejay 327]

Generic vs. Brand-Name Gas: Are They Different?

Tests Show That Both Types Pass State Standards Easily

By ELISABETH LEAMY

March 24, 2007 — - The average price of regular gas this week is $2.57 -- lower than a few weeks ago, but still far more than Americans are used to paying. As some drivers turn to generic gasoline from no-name stations to cut costs, "Good Morning America" investigated whether generic gas is good for your car.

With the help of the Maryland State Comptroller, ABC News compared gas from a name-brand Mobil station and a generic Liberty station right across the street from each other. Mobil was charging $2.69 a gallon for regular, while Liberty charged $2.49 a gallon.

The comptroller's office collected samples of regular unleaded at each station. The inspector followed a strict protocol, flushing the line between samples and carefully labeling canisters.

At the Maryland Fuel Testing Laboratory, chemists conducted a battery of tests. First, they verified that gas was formulated correctly for the season. Then, they checked for contaminants, like excessive sediment or diesel, accidentally mixed with the gasoline.

They also ran the gas through an elaborate engine to make sure it got the 87 octane level people pay for. Both samples easily met state standards.

"By and large, it's one and the same. … You will find results will almost mirror each other," said Bob Crawford, who works at the lab. "There are going to be slight variations -- but gasoline is gasoline."

When gasoline arrives at regional distribution centers, it's all the same. Different gas station chains then buy the raw fuel and add their own blend of detergents. In the past, there might have been more of a difference between different brands of regular unleaded, but these days the EPA requires that all gas contain a minimum amount of detergent to keep car engines clean.

If you're paying for a particular brand of gasoline, "you would be paying more for brand loyalty, primarily," Crawford said. "Some people feel more comfortable dealing with a particular brand."

Many customers keep coming back because they use a particular name-brand station's credit card.

Some generic stations only take cash, which is one way they keep prices down.

"The generic, no, will not do harm at all," Crawford said. "I use the lowest price. It makes no difference what the brand is."

There's no easy way to test for the quantity and type of detergents in gasoline, because those formulas are trade secrets.

Ewing Oil, the company that supplies gasoline to the Liberty stations, says it also supplies gas to many name-brand stations and all of its fuel contains detergent.

Mobil says its gasoline contains at least twice the amount of detergent as generic gas and that it adds the same amount to all three grades of gas.

Some name-brand stations may add extra detergent to their premium gas.

More than 90 percent of cars run fine on regular. If your owner's manual recommends regular, filling up with premium won't do a thing to help you. If your owner's manual says your car requires premium you should use it. If it's only recommended, you can experiment with regular and mid-grade and both should work fine.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2978563&page=1

[Dr_LHA 3]

People love brand names though, don't they? It makes them feel comfortable. Why else would people by Tylenol when you can get the store own brand acetaminophen for $2-3 less for the same amount? People pay a premium based on advertising and familiarity.

[Jenn! 918]

I had always just assumed they were the same. Never even gave it a second thought.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I always buy generics when possible. For both medicine and gas.

Edited March 25, 2007 by Gupt

[peejay 327]

I always buy generics when possible. For both medicine and gas.

Me too...but it doesn't work out as well with beer.

[sparkofcreation 0]

... However, most car engines recommend filling with at least 87 octane, which is "regular" in most places, but not in New Mexico. In NM "regular" is 86 octane and my car is definitely happier when it's filled with plus (88 octane).

*shrugs* Our mechanic told us that using 86 octane is mostly okay, but to use 88 occasionally and stay away from generics and from one particular brand out here (Diamond Shamrock). No idea what he based his advice on.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

... However, most car engines recommend filling with at least 87 octane, which is "regular" in most places, but not in New Mexico. In NM "regular" is 86 octane and my car is definitely happier when it's filled with plus (88 octane).

*shrugs* Our mechanic told us that using 86 octane is mostly okay, but to use 88 occasionally and stay away from generics and from one particular brand out here (Diamond Shamrock). No idea what he based his advice on.

It's 86 instead of 87 in NM because of the altitude. When I was in Colorado regular gas was 85.

Most people don't need to spend the extra $$ on super unleaded unless their owner's manual says so (ie high performance car)

[Aymerlu 3]

I love generics! It's funny though, my husband swears he only likes certain brands of foods. I'll buy 1 of the real thing and the some generic....when the name brand is gone I replace with the generic and he never knows.

[sparkofcreation 0]

... However, most car engines recommend filling with at least 87 octane, which is "regular" in most places, but not in New Mexico. In NM "regular" is 86 octane and my car is definitely happier when it's filled with plus (88 octane).

*shrugs* Our mechanic told us that using 86 octane is mostly okay, but to use 88 occasionally and stay away from generics and from one particular brand out here (Diamond Shamrock). No idea what he based his advice on.

It's 86 instead of 87 in NM because of the altitude. When I was in Colorado regular gas was 85.

Most people don't need to spend the extra $$ on super unleaded unless their owner's manual says so (ie high performance car)

There's actually no need for cars to use lower-octane gas at higher altitude now that fuel injection has been invented, although yes, I did know that was the reason.

My car's owner's manual specifically says to use "87 octane or higher." Which 86 octane is not.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

There's actually no need for cars to use lower-octane gas at higher altitude now that fuel injection has been invented, although yes, I did know that was the reason.

My car's owner's manual specifically says to use "87 octane or higher." Which 86 octane is not.

True their no 'need' to use 86 instead of 87. You just don't need the 87. 86 should equal 87 at a higher altitude. Fuel injection means you don't have a carburetor that needs adjusting at altitude.

[beameup 0]

All gasolines are "generic". That is the way the vast pipeline system is set up. When the distributor in a certain region orders "regular unleaded" he takes what is already available at his receiving end of the pipeline - he doesn't wait two or three weeks for a "special order" to reach his end from the source (refinery).

Some particular brands MAY add additives (particular "brand" dyes, for example) prior to distribution by truck to a particular gasoline station in their chain. But all grades of gasoline are "generic".

PS: this dying of gas was featured on a recent episode of CSI to "pin-point" where the fuel was dispensed.

Edited March 26, 2007 by beameup

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Also, there are a lot of things that go into the price:

• fees to credit card companies (Amex higher than MasterCard/Visa)
  
• franchise fees (charged by Exxon, Texaco, ...)
  
• Wholesale petrol price (may be negotiated by franchise)
  
• local real-estate prices (maybe included inside the franchise fees, as the fanchisor has to pay this for the land)
  

Some brands DO add up to 10% ethanol (Marathon, some Citgo's and Costco--the last is usually lower-priced than others, likely using the annual membership fees of $45-$200 as partial-offset)

Edited March 26, 2007 by CherryXS