Quality of ARCO Gasoline?

[DoveTurnedHawk]

I've heard people say that it's not as good as other gas, which is why it's so much cheaper than the other dealers' gas. True, or false? Thanks.

DTH

[Best_man23]

1. I wouldn't use ARCO gasoline in a lawn mower

The difference is usually in the percentage of alcohol, quality (i.e. level of dirt and other contaminants), and condition of the station's tanks. If you're not sure, change stations and see if things improve.

[wbattle]

7. It's the worst of the majors

I'll buy low-rent Thrifty's gas before ARCO. My old '84 Ford van runs best on Shell premium.

[AntiCoup2K4]

2. ARCO gas is watered down crap

If you live on flat land and never have to go uphill or drive faster than 40 MPH, go ahead and use it.

[Coffee Coyote]

3. it's just marketing you are paying for

For example, Chevron's "Techron", which is gasoline refined with snake oil. Texaco does likewise with their "special fuel additives" to 'clean your engine after five tanks'... :eyes:

Gas is more or less the same. Arco just decides to gouge you a little less, but that doesn't change the high-livin' style of its execs. They honor the time-proven business practice of cornering a niche of the market through consistently lower pricing. Think of it as the old-fashioned 'gas wars' writ large.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

4. Yeah, I Hate All of Them

Oil companies are the root of many evils in this country and around the world. From their anti-consumer lobbying, to the damage they do to the environment, to the stupid goddamn immoral wars they get their minions in the Big Oil Administration to wage for them...I just cannot stand them. I am definitely going electric, or at least gas-electric, for my next car.

It's just too bad that I have to use them for my current car. With gas prices being so high, I thought I might actually try ARCO for once (my mechanic told me when I first got the car not to use ARCO, but I'd always wondered whether or not his advice was based on anything substantive).

DTH

[BiggJawn]

5. Gasoline's Gasoline.

The Octane rating is set by law, it burns, water and petroleum do NOT mix, so the urban legends about "Watered-down Gas" are just that, legends. It's all marketing hype.

"With Sunoco, your car starts like it's SUMMERTIME!" (Like that car I had that vapour-locked all the time? No thank you.)

"Put a Tiger in your Tank!"

"Go farther with PLATFORMATE!"(a Platinum catalyst)

"Get that Gulf EXTRA KICK!"

The only diference I ever notice is the smell of the exhaust fumes. some of it smells almost like a cake baking, and the stuff I get at Dead Sam's smells like a dysentary sufferer shit on my muffler.

[peterh]

6. you're right...all gasoline is basically the same…

With one very very minor difference…the fuel detergent additive as required by law.
Chevron has their patented Techron
Shell has their patented SU2000
Arco has their patented CleanTech
And the Ma & Pa station down the street has a patented “generic” additive.

Is there a difference? Yeah, sorta. The patents say they are and their individual ads claim superiority, but in reality, it’s all marketing hype. If you can tell the difference between the Ma & Pa vs. say Chevron in performance, I’ll just tip my cap to ya.

[stoner_guy]

8. The Ma & Pa stations have the same gas

Around here there are only a few refineries. The independent stations buy their gas from what ever refinery gets them the best price at the time. They generally buy what is left over after the long term contracts with the name brand stations are filled. When gas is plentiful, they can usually sell it a litte cheaper because they aren't locked into a price by their contract. When gas is scarce the name brand stations sell for less than independents because their long term contracts give them an advantage.

I put whatever gas is cheapest in my tank and I've never had a problem. All our cars have over 100K on them, two are close to 200K.

Gas is gas. Buy whatever makes you happy. Cheap gas makes me happy.