w204nyc

Mobil 93 only

drsullivan

Sinclair 100 race mixed with 91

otakki

I would love to have Chevron but there is none near where I live. Either that or Shell.

Otherwise, you are okay if you stay wth the following retailers:
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

SLS Qatar

WOQOOD Station

97 Octane RON, equivalent to 93 Octane MON used in the USA.

jarjoug

I fill my car at Irving, Shell, Esso ........ Practically any station. I never notice a difference.

Walker532

Shell 95 Only.

Zeee_Q

I try to stay with Shell 91 or Chevron 91 here in CA. If I remember correctly, the issue with costco gas isn't with the gas itself but rather with the detergent and additive package that gets added. Costco and other cheap gas stations do not own any oil refineries and are forced to buy gas from major manufactures such as Chevron, Shell, Mobil, 76, etc. The gas is essentially the same until it reaches the gas station where the additives and detergents are added. The top tier gas stations have their own formulations that feature the latest technologies meant to prevent carbon build up and keep your engine clean while the other gas stations like costco who buy gas from the top tier suppliers are forced to rely on their own blend of detergents and additives. The top tier gas stations would never ship the same gas that goes to their own stations to costco or any of the cheap gas stations.

RSF C63

There is a full service station in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, that has 91, 95, and 100 octane gas on the pump. . although pricing does reflect them being the only provider. 95 is like 6$ a gallon and 100 octane is 8$ a gallon.

drawde

No one likes Exxon 93?

I used to always go to either Exxon or Hess, then later became Exxon or Shell but I had a CEL issue that went away after I stopped going to the Shell closest to my house, never confirmed whether or not it was the cause but CEL is gone and I'm only going to Exxon now.

Zeee_Q

Man that stuff is really expensive but you gotta pay to play I guess. I don't think for normal driving you'll feel a difference unless you tune the car to run on the higher octane fuel. But I've had friends with heavily modified BMW 335i run that stuff with the higher boost pressure and they say it makes a huge difference in terms of performance and knocking.

Vash

Probably a bit of a drive for you, but...

AMG3.2

Yes, they have 100 and higher.

bhamg

Is this the issue you're talking about...that perhaps Costco uses too much detergent additive for your liking?

Since 1995, all gasoline sold in the U.S. must include an EPA-approved detergent additive. All Costco gas has always contained these additives. Costco gas stations are well maintained and our fuel has always been 100% guaranteed.

Increasing Federal emissions and mileage requirements, plus the competitive pressures of the automotive marketplace, have led to improved and more complicated engine designs. These improvements make many engines more sensitive to carbon deposits on intake valves and clogged fuel injectors. Dirty engines can sometimes trigger a "check engine" dashboard warning light. Many of the latest model vehicles perform better using fuel that contains more than the minimum EPA detergent requirement.

As our valued member, you expect Costco to always offer the finest quality products at the best possible price. Gasoline is no exception. Costco has closely studied fuel additives and engine deposits, and conducted extensive fuel tests at nationally-recognized laboratories. As a result, we decided to increase the detergent additives in our fuel to provide a better value to our members. Cleaner engines run better, run longer, and they pollute less.

Costco gas with Kirkland Signature Clean Power detergent additives contains five times the EPA detergent requirement. Clean Power doesn't just keep your engine clean - it also helps remove any existing deposits.

AMG3.2

All gas in California is the same. Seriously, the only difference between gasoline in California is marketing. Let me explain. Lets say Chevron makes .10 per dollar profit on their gas per gallon. (Hypothetical number) Then, Costco comes up to them and says: Hey, we want to sell gas to our customers for a lesser price than what your selling yours for. Chevron says: Okay, the hell do you want me to do about it. Costco: I'll pay you $X per gallon of gas. Chevron says: Why would I sell you my gas, when I make more profit on my gas? Costco says: Because, you can make .10 profit per gallon on your gas, and an extra .04 per gallon on my gas. Chevron says: Hmm, profit is profit.

Moral of the story, all gas comes from the same place because it's cheaper for one company to supply many smaller companies. BULK gasoline makes cheaper gasoline!

By the way, I'm a Business major.

CaliSun

The 76 off 280 in Woodside (next to Redwood City) has the 'Race Fuel', 100 octane at the pump and 110 and 112 available to fill containers off the pump.

Too expensive and out of the way for me though, I use Shell as a first choice and Chevron as a second choice.

Zeee_Q

Not so much that but the amount of detergent added is not equivalent to the quality of detergent and additives added to the gas. Personally I've never ran a car on costco gas long term to be able to say that it has negative effects compared to using say Chevron or Shell gas but for me, the peace of mind that I'm getting the best gas I can for my car is worth it to me. I rely on my car daily and the little bit extra you pay each time is worth it to me.

Zeee_Q

Just curious, did you run a race gas tune with the race gas or was your car stock?
If your car was stock, did you feel any difference in performance or the way the car ran like temperature?

_AMG_

Shell, Mobil 1, or Chevron.

DuaneC63

Costco buys on the spot market to so you never know what your getting. VR 95 or 100 octane at the pump at select stations in Socal.

farhadahmad

how about 76???? i do shell or chev as well. Costco gas is all type of companies . its who ever has it at the time. they use shell 76 chev all type of gas.

Vash

The car is currently stock (picked her up a week ago).

While in Germany I only ran 100, so I was used to how the car felt with higher (than 91) octane. I filled it with 100 before dropping it off for shipping. Dealer informed me that they had to drain my fuel and refill (I'm assuming with 91). It might be all in my head, but the car did feel a little different.

I've been mixing 4-5 gallons of 100 with 91. The car does seem to run "smoother". Also, from empty, I did put a half tank of just 91 (after a full tank of the 100 mix). I didn't pay attention to my mpg from start/reset, but she seemed to burn through it much faster (maybe my foot was heavier for a bit).

C63_SantaFe

I also only use shell unless its not available. I think it makes my exhaust smell good. HAHA

GrnLantern

+1

Shell, then Chevron, here. I wish we had 93 in CA. You can blend 100 and 91 to make 93 (5:2 ratio, I believe), but it's still not cost effective, and the stations supplying 100 at the pump are too far and few in between.

Karl901

All the gas comes from one local fuel depot, basically where is the closest refiner. It all about logistics. Valero is the largest in the country. It is all same except for some additives some companies add. But it is one convoluted mess, due to federal regs(ethanol and such). Have you noticed most of the fuel trucks have no name on them. It all depend are the market area where you live.
Basically, it does not matter, buy from where they turn a lot of fuel. I saw recently where independents got busted for selling regular as premium.
If you see a gas station with a truck filling the tanks, talk to the driver, they are a wealth of local info. I should know I just had the local diesel supplier put 1950 gallons in my boat Friday. Still high at $3.61/gal. ( please, do not do the math, I try not to look)

Guilty

$7039.5!!