(KTXL) — Many people flock to warehouses like Costco and Sam’s Club with high hopes of getting the best deal on the price of fuel. Although both offer similar savings, there’s a difference in the quality of gas they pump.
The most notable difference between Costco and Sam’s Club is that one provides Top Tier gas while the other does not.
“Not all gasoline is created equal,” Consumer Reports wrote in March 2022. “There is plain old regular, and then there is regular gasoline that meets a higher standard, known as Top Tier.”
According to Top Tier’s website, the fuel was “developed by some of the leading automotive and heavy-duty equipment manufacturers.” It is intended to reduce deposit buildup on fuel injectors and intake valves, which can improve your vehicle’s engine performance, responsiveness, and fuel economy.
In 2016, AAA conducted a study that revealed that Top Tier gasoline keeps engines 19 times cleaner.
In response to increasing levels of carbon deposits in modern engine designs, AAA reported that the Environmental Protection Agency mandated a minimum level of detergent — which helps keep your engine clean — for all gasoline sold in the U.S. in 1996. Top Tier fuel uses more detergent additives than the EPA requires.
Continued fuel use without the Top Tier additive package could result in 2% to 4% lower miles per gallon, increased emissions, and a greater chance of maintenance issues, according to AAA.
While both Costco and Sam’s Club offer unleaded, premium, and diesel fuels (here’s how to know which you should be getting), only Costco offers Top Tier fuel.
If you don’t have a Costco membership, you can still find Top Tier gas at other stations.
“Yes, Top Tier gas is worth the extra money,” CarFax reported. “The benefits are not a myth.”
While Top Tier fuel may cost a bit more, you’re likely to save more overall at the pump if you fill up at a warehouse store — like Costco and Sam’s Club — than at a regular gas station.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, told Consumer Reports that gas at warehouse stations is typically anywhere between 5 cents and 25 cents cheaper per gallon than at other gas stations.
“And when prices rise, they hold their prices down for longer,” he added.
Licensed Top Tier fuel retailers use a higher level of detergent additive which can increase fuel economy and optimal engine performance. According to an automotive industry spokesman, the regular use of this type of gasoline results in improved engine life.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Top_Tier_Detergent_Gasoline
fuel is gasoline that has more detergent additives than the Environment Protection Agency requires. Costco offers Top Tier gasoline with higher levels of required detergents; however, Sam's Club does not.
While both Costco and Sam's Club offer unleaded, premium, and diesel fuels (here's how to know which you should be getting), only Costco offers Top Tier fuel. If you don't have a Costco membership, you can still find Top Tier gas at other stations. “Yes, Top Tier gas is worth the extra money,” CarFax reported.
You'll know you're filling up with the good stuff if you spot a small green sticker on the pump that says “TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.” As of early 2022, the following stations sold Top Tier gasoline in the U.S.: 76, ARCO, Aloha, Beacon, Breakaway, CITGO, Cenex, Chevron, Conoco, Costco Wholesale, CountryMark, ...
Costco is listed as a TOP TIER™ gasoline retailer. Find out more at www.toptiergas.com. Kirkland Signature™ Gasoline contains five times the EPA detergent requirement in both regular unleaded and premium grades, and is formulated to clean your engine and help your vehicle run like new.
Costco has more stores across the globe, is expanding rapidly, and generally offers cheaper prices than Sam's Club does, although the latter charges slightly less for membership, has a bigger presence in the U.S., and stocks more name brands.
Good station operation and maintenance means the fuel is filtered and that contaminants, such as sediment and water, do not find their way into our members' vehicles. Costco fuel stations are well-maintained by our capable attendants so you may be confident that the fuel going into your car is clean.
93 octane fuels are more refined and contain more stable hydrocarbons. These stable hydrocarbons can last 2-3 times longer than 87 octane fuel. Even in proper storage 87 octane gas can start to degrade in 3 months, 93 octane fuel should last closer to 9 months before degradation is noticeable.
Should I use regular or premium gas? You should use the type of fuel the vehicle's manufacturer recommends. A vehicle that runs on regular gas will not run any better on premium fuel. Using premium gas in a vehicle designed for premium gas will help the car perform better and avoid damaging the engine with regular gas.
These additives are designed to minimize engine deposits that can affect vehicle performance and emissions. The various proprietary deposit control additive formulations are the main difference between brands of gasoline. All gasoline at Costco contains deposit control additives.
Many fueling stations selling TOP TIER™ Licensed Brands prominently display the TOP TIER™ logo on the pump, pump handle, canopy or in a station window. The TOP TIER™ logo means you're getting fuel that meets the performance requirements set by engine manufacturers.
While both Costco and Sam's Club offer unleaded, premium, and diesel fuels (here's how to know which you should be getting), only Costco offers Top Tier fuel. If you don't have a Costco membership, you can still find Top Tier gas at other stations. “Yes, Top Tier gas is worth the extra money,” CarFax reported.
Sam's Club, for example, serves soft pretzels and ICEE drinks, two items you won't find at Costco. Meanwhile, Costco's food courts offer chicken Caesar salads, massive chocolate chip cookies, Chicken Bakes, and as of last month, a new turkey Swiss sandwich. These are all options that you won't see at Sam's Club.
For members other than resellers, only purchases made within 30 days prior to a change in price and within applicable promotional item limits, are eligible for a price adjustment. Costco does not price match with other sellers. Costco does not price match Costco warehouse prices for Costco.com purchases.
So why is it so much cheaper than the competition? The short answer is that unlike pretty much every other retail business that sells gasoline, Costco doesn't care about making money from its gas pumps. In fact, Costco typically sells its gas at a moderate loss.
Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Cash Back Rewards
You'll get 4% back on eligible gasoline purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter. You'll also earn 3% on restaurants and eligible travel purchases, including Costco Travel.
“Opting for Top Tier fuel saves money in the long run because it's better for the vehicle.” One way you can definitely save money: If your car says it “recommends” premium gas but doesn't require it, you can switch to regular. Our tests found no differences in performance or fuel economy between the two.
Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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