‘Is Costco gas OK?‘: Mechanic says that where you get your fuel from is actually important
While drivers may have a favorite gas station, many are not above just going to the nearest one in a pinch. However, that may be a habit you want to halt because, according to one mechanic, where you get your gas from is important.
In a viral TikTok posted by Pennsylvania Toyota Dealership South Hills Toyota (@south.hills.toyot), a man behind the camera asks a mechanic in front of the camera whether using “regular” gas messes up your engine. The mechanic responds that if your car calls for 87 grade, you won’t damage your engine using regular gas. But, what you should pay attention to is where you get your gas.
“If you’re going to some little tiny gas station that barely gets any customers coming through purchasing fuel, or just somebody who doesn’t maintain the fuel tank, so they’re just purchasing cheap gas in the first place, then yeah, you’re gonna start causing problems with your engine,” the mechanic says.
‘Gas is gas’
In the comments section, viewers had mixed reactions to the mechanic’s advice.
Some asserted that it doesn’t actually matter where you get your gas.
“I promise you every gas station purchases the cheapest gas Available,” user Andy wrote.
“Absolutely not true,” user Joey Gill said. “It doesn’t matter where you get your fuel. It’s tested once a week buy an inspector who pumps out a gallon checks water content, impurity by law it has to be the same and right good try though.” (Most gas is inspected less frequently than weekly.
User James Gomez said, “I talked to a driver delivering gas at a Costco station recently and he told me they all buy it from the same place.”
However, others agreed with the Toyota mechanic that where you buy fuel is important.
“Getting gas from a reputable gas station is way more important than putting premium in a car that only needs regular,” one viewer said.
A second wrote, “I test Top tier gas and non Top tier, and there was a 5-8 difference in mpg, so yes where you get gas matter, SHELL, SUNOCO, EXXON amd others are top tier gas.”
Does it really matter where I get my gas?
In an article discussing whether it matters where you fuel up, Endurance Warranty states, “The truth is, wherever you go and what kind you get can make a big difference in how well your vehicle runs. Not all gas stations hold themselves to the same standards, and there can be a significant variation in how they treat the fuel in their tanks and where they get it from. While it might seem like a good idea to support the local, independent gas stations in your town, they don’t always have the same ideals toward quality standards that the name-brand stations do.”
@south.hills.toyot Here’s what our mechanic says about using regular gas Do you use regular, mid-grade, or premium? ⬇️ #Toyota #BestToyotas #TopToyotas #CarDealership #Toyotas #ToyotaCars #ToyotaCamry #Dealership #CarBuying #CarBuyingTips #CarSales #buyingacar ♬ original sound – south.hills.toyota
It continues, “By going to top-tier stations, you can avoid getting low-quality or dirty gasoline that can produce knocks, run rough, and damage your filters and other mechanisms.”
The article notes that top-tier stations include name-brand stations like Shell, Exxon, Mobil, and Chevron.
The Mary Sue reached out to South Hills Toyota via TikTok direct message and comment.
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