Unique gas stations brands? (Des Moines, Maquoketa: house, movies, price)

[pepe1]

Originally Posted by sequoias

That doesn't explain why 89 octane is cheaper than 87 octane. Why not use ethanol in 87 instead? I've been using 89 octane with 10% ethanol for almost 2 years being in Iowa, so far no problems. I know it doesn't hurt to put 10% ethanol in my car but more than that will kill the fuel lines, I believe. It's due to the acid content that can corrode the rubber linings.

The 89 octane in Iowa is cheaper because the state subsidizes a portion of the gas tax on the 89 octane fuel. This subsidy is used to promote ethanol use.

They do use ethanol in 87 octane fuel. Ethanol is alcohol. And alcohol changes the octane level of gasoline. 90% 87 octane gasoline mixed with 10% ethanol equals the 89 octane blended fuel we buy here in Iowa.

Using more than 10% ethanol will not damage your car (unless you have a very old car). Your car won't run right on higher ethanol content fuels, but it won't damage the car. Ethanol is no more acidic than gasoline.

[capitalcityguy]

Quik Trip (not Kwik Trip....I've personally only have seen those in Minnesota) are prevalent in Des Moines metro. They advertise "Guaranteed Gas" prevalently in their advertisements and on their signage. Can't tell you want it means, but they do put emphasis on tharee quality of their fuel for what that is worth.

[fbbertusa]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Just so you know, there really is no real "brand" of gas...there are gas station franchises but if you watch the trucks at any refinery, they all get their gas from the same place, so you will see the Hy-Vee truck pull out right after the Shell, Kwik Trip, and Chevron trucks.....

I think You are 99% correct ,I live in the south and We have a shell refinery that produces gasoline that is shell gas,after that then they sell the same gas to everybody else after they add certain additives. another refinery in the area PLACID makes gas and they call it Chevron,Citgo,AND numerious other brands.The Exon Refinery used to do the same thing with additives but they did at least start with Exon gas.I do not know for sure but I have heard that Exon has gone out of the retail gas market.The plants down her know use the name Hexon,Mexon,there is one more but I can not think of it at the moment.lOUSIANA law requires all gasoline to contain 10 % ethanol,but there are a few places that have not caught up.
On a different note I have a Flexfuel truck but the closest station is over 200 miles.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by financebirder

I typically frequent Kum & Go, Hyvee on occasion.

Don't forget the Casey's stations... although I can't remember the last time I fueled up at a Casey's.

Kwik Trip/Star are more prevalent in eastern Iowa if I'm remembering right.


I'll use the cheaper 89 octane in my winter vehicle, just because it's cheaper. If I take a longer trip, I typically use that car as well. For something that should only get about 22-24 mpg, I have gotten 29 mpg out of the 89 octane from Hyvee.

My better vehicles run on 87 octane, and 87 octane only.

There are no Kwik Shops in the Des Moines area. They became Kum&Gos.

I go to Git N Go a lot, and there is also Quik Trip and a few Valero stations.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by capitalcityguy

Quik Trip (not Kwik Trip....I've personally only have seen those in Minnesota) are prevalent in Des Moines metro. They advertise "Guaranteed Gas" prevalently in their advertisements and on their signage. Can't tell you want it means, but they do put emphasis on tharee quality of their fuel for what that is worth.

Easter Iowa used to have Kwik Shops, I think that might be what they meant.

[Dport7674]

^ Kwik Shops are still in Davenport.

I read where Mother Hubbards Cubbard in the Quad Cities is turning into 7-11...Which is what Kwik Shops in the QC's used to be.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Dport7674

^ Kwik Shops are still in Davenport.

I read where Mother Hubbards Cubbard in the Quad Cities is turning into 7-11...Which is what Kwik Shops in the QC's used to be.

Okay. In Burlington they because something else. Can't remember what! And in Des Moines they became Kum & Go.

[financebirder]

I was thinking Casey's bought out a lot of the QTs. But apparently not all of them.

I grew up in northeast Iowa. Kwik Trips were pretty common. Changed the name to Kwik Star at some point, but across the river in Wisconsin they were still Kwik Trip.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by financebirder

I was thinking Casey's bought out a lot of the QTs. But apparently not all of them.

I grew up in northeast Iowa. Kwik Trips were pretty common. Changed the name to Kwik Star at some point, but across the river in Wisconsin they were still Kwik Trip.

In the Des Moines metro Caseys' bought the Short Stops. QT (Quik Trip) is a different chain. They are found in other areas like Omaha (QT that is).

I like QTs, and I really like Short Stop much better than Caseys. Their pizza is way overrated.

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by financebirder

I was thinking Casey's bought out a lot of the QTs. But apparently not all of them.

I grew up in northeast Iowa. Kwik Trips were pretty common. Changed the name to Kwik Star at some point, but across the river in Wisconsin they were still Kwik Trip.

Casey's bouight Handimart (I think that was the name) but I don't believe they've bought any QT (i.e...Quik Trips). QT is a huge chain, but Des Moines is as far north as they go.