Can You Save Money With Generic Gas and Not Harm Your Car?

As the price of gas continues to go up more consumers are thinking about using generic gas from gas stations that are not part of the international gas companies. The question in many drivers minds is, can I get the same quality of gas from ABC station as I can get from Shell or Exxon? Will the ABC gas be OK for my car?

The answer plain and simple is, there is not much difference between the generic gas and the branded gas other than some additives which each company has added to it's gas. To really understand why it is so similar a quick look at how the gas refining system works makes the picture clear.

In general fuel produced at refineries is what is called a generic product. In specific regions of the country gas has to meet certain environmental specifications. Because all gas in those regions gas depots are produced to the same specifications, gas refiners often share and exchange gasoline and store it in common tanks.

The gas that is made at one refinery is the same as any other refinery. They all produce what is known as generic gas. The chemicals that are added to the generic gas is what makes one company's gas different from another's. Each brand has it's particular recipe of additives.

This adding of the brand additives usually takes place when the gas is being put into the tanker truck for distribution. In essence all the companies are starting with the same generic gas as their main component. You can now see why generic gas is really the same as the branded gas.

Just to make sure, there have been some studies on the difference between generic gas and branded gas. A joint study on this was done by ABC News and the Maryland State Comptroller's office.

Scientists at the Maryland Fuel Testing Laboratory engaged a battery of tests on generic and branded gas. The gas was scrutinized for many things including contaminants like excessive sediments or diesel mixed with the gas. The scientists put the gas through an elaborate engine to make sure that the gasoline was the same 87 octane level. The scientists at the lab even made sure that the gas was formulated properly as mandated for the current season.

The good news for you is that the study showed that generic and branded gas are basically the same. They found that for the most part the gas was one and the same. The biggest difference between competing brands of gas is how much detergent or additives are added to it. Even with the additives the differences are small.

Essentially gas is gas is gas. All fuel sold for your vehicle regardless if it is generic or branded will work just fine. The one big difference is really what you already knew, the non branded gas has the lower price.

$100 to $200 per year is the estimate that is used in gauging how much you can save by using generic gas. Go to the generic station the next time you fill up and save yourself some cash.

By: Scott Siegel

Scott Siegel has written a 143 page manual of industry insider information on saving gas and money at the pump. Visit us to discover how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage.
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