Anyone know why the gas prices are tiered so strangely in Denver? (buy, income)

[Sir Quotes A Lot]

Originally Posted by Quietude

Who said differently?

However, "It's your money/choice/preference, tain't nobody should tell you what to do" is a weak, weak argument. Especially when it's about countering rampant, widespread ignorance/stupidity about a technical issue that directly affects nearly everyone. Spending hundreds to thousands of dollars more on fuel your car doesn't need and can't use to full value is a personal wallet choice, sure.

But making it clear to people that bathing in Perrier does not give you better skin is not out of line.

Chill, dude!

Having grown up in Detroit, having family and friends who work directly in the engineering of these vehicles, and having dug into this issue a great deal myself, there is no absolute or concrete consensus on this topic. Therefore, I err on the side of caution and, go with what the manufacturer says is best for my car. My wife and I are a couple of DINKs making in the mid-$100k range. The additional $50/yr I spend on 87-octane vs. 85 octane is not even going to leave a surface scratch on my net worth and financial well-being. But if it makes or break whether you eat this month, then by all means, be savvy!

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by Quietude

"I only put good gas in my car!"

Oh, now we can discuss Top-Tier rated gasoline vs the ordinary stuff. The weenies at Bogleheads convinced me that Top-Tier makes sense.

Given that we own an Audi with a turbo engine, premium is our only choice according to the manufacturer.
But, we only buy 250 gallons/year. So, I am not price sensitive.

[Gingko]

Originally Posted by Xanathos

Given how much time I'm currently spending in the area, my company gave me leave to acquire a vehicle rather than be renting one so often, which has caused me to notice the odd price tiering for gas here, as the vehicle I chose to purchase requires premium.

Where I live/anywhere else I go (and I travel a lot), it's always the same formula: Regular is X, Plus is X+.10, Premium is X+.20. But Denver, it's X, X+.30-.40, X+.70-.80. Pretty blatant gouging. Why is that? Is there some hidden tax?

When I moved to Colorado Springs in 2007, it was an increase of $0.10 per gallon to go to the next grade. Then it was $0.20, followed by $0.30, and now I see some stations going to $0.40. I never hear any one complain.

Just like no one complains diesel is much more expensive than gas here, even though it is a lower graded fuel.

And E85 has increased in price so much it is only $0.20 or so per gallon cheaper than regular 85 octane, which means you lose money using it as it cuts your gas mileage more than by what you would save.

EDIT - I just found this. http://money.com/money/4266433/gas-prices-premium-regular/

Here is the key line - "gas stations have been charging more for premium for months simply because they can."

[maciesmom]

Originally Posted by Sir Quotes A Lot

Pretty much every technical resource I've found on this topic is split 50/50 on whether it's actually 'okay' or not for the health and longevity of the engine. Engineers, mechanics, techs all seem to be split on this topic, and I've done a decent amount of digging into it. Additionally, my brother who works for General Motors in the R&D high performance engine testing facility was also hesitant to validate these claims.

As far as the info about cars in Europe, well, that was my point. According to my Big-3 resources in Detroit, there is apparently about to be a shift in building engines that require premium grade fuel for better performance and fuel economy. I'm pretty sure that's exactly what I said above.

https://tap.fremontmotors.com/truste...se-at-altitude



Per the bolded, that's going to be 87-octane for the vast majority of non-premium/performance vehicles. So, I guess, go with your gut instinct. The extra $2, as you say, is not going to break my bank.

*shrugs*

We run all our cars on 85. My son currently drives our old 2005 Toyota Highlander with 210K miles. Still running great so....

[Xanathos]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Oh, now we can discuss Top-Tier rated gasoline vs the ordinary stuff. The weenies at Bogleheads convinced me that Top-Tier makes sense.

Given that we own an Audi with a turbo engine, premium is our only choice according to the manufacturer.
But, we only buy 250 gallons/year. So, I am not price sensitive.

Same deal with the vehicle I bought for use in Denver. It's an Audi with a supercharger in it. and using anything other than premium voids the warranty. It's not so much that the +70 cents a gallon impacts me in any meaningful way, especially since I write it all off on an expense report, it's just an oddity I noticed that I'm curious the genesis of. I'm used to seeing (as someone above mentioned) getting whacked with some sort of surcharge for using plastic (though when I see that, I typically find another station), but I'm in California, Washington, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Virginia with a pretty strong degree of regularity, and the pricing scheme in Denver isn't like any of them.

[Sir Quotes A Lot]

Originally Posted by maciesmom

*shrugs*

We run all our cars on 85. My son currently drives our old 2005 Toyota Highlander with 210K miles. Still running great so....

If 85 is working for you, great! I'm still using the manufacturer recommended fuel type myself.

Vacationers, beware: Bad gas can damage your car

Low-octane fuel — rated 85 or 86 as opposed to the 87 for regular gasoline — is common in the Rocky Mountain states, said General Motors fuel specialist Bill Studzinski.

The practice goes back to the days of carbureted engines, when lower octane helped vehicles run smoothly at altitude. The electronic engine controls that have replaced carburetors make the lower octane unnecessary and potentially harmful.

Automakers would prefer a total ban on 85 and 86 octane gasoline. Less than 2% of the vehicles in the U.S. have carburetors, according to GM. The other 98%-plus have computer controls that adjust for altitude and require manufacturer-specified gasoline to meet emissions, fuel economy and performance standards.

"We do not endorse the use of 85 octane or lower," Studzinski said.

A lawsuit pending in South Dakota seeks damages for drivers who were "knowingly and fraudulently charged inflated prices" for 85 octane gas, which costs less at the pump than 87, Montgomery said.

"My Scion iQ clearly stated that no gasoline lower than 87 octane should be used because it could damage the engine," Gutzler said. "The pumps where I got 85 octane weren't labeled. Who knew what we were buying?"

The other potential problem — higher alcohol mixtures — is less geographically widespread for now. But unlike 85-octane gas, which seems to be waning, higher alcohol mixtures are likely to become more common to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost use of renewable fuels.

I think I'm going to take heed of the advice of the official General Motors fuel specialist.

*shrugs*

[emm74]

fwiw

//www.city-data.com/forum/denve...tane-fuel.html

[maciesmom]

Originally Posted by Sir Quotes A Lot

If 85 is working for you, great! I'm still using the manufacturer recommended fuel type myself.

Vacationers, beware: Bad gas can damage your car




I think I'm going to take heed of the advice of the official General Motors fuel specialist.

*shrugs*

You go right ahead. Let me know when that GM car running on 87 hits over 200k miles - original engine.

I'm also not the one calling 87 octane pricing "punitive".

[Sir Quotes A Lot]

Originally Posted by maciesmom

You go right ahead. Let me know when that GM car running on 87 hits over 200k miles - original engine.

I don't drive a GM, I drive a Mazda. But there are plenty of GM cars that do run over 200k miles.

At any rate, that says more about the car manufacturer than it does about fuel types that do damage on them.

Not sure what your point is otherwise...

This whole argument is completely dumb. Use the fuel type that works for your car and your wallet. I've simply posted links from auto manufacturers that warn against certain fuel grades. If you don't want to take heed of what they say, I don't give a damn and I'm not going to debate you on their recommendations. Some of you people are petty and just like to argue. Grow up!

[maciesmom]

Originally Posted by Sir Quotes A Lot

I don't drive a GM, I drive a Mazda. But there are plenty of GM cars that do run over 200k miles.

At any rate, that says more about the car manufacturer than it does about fuel types that do damage on them.

Not sure what your point is otherwise...

The point is/was you are the one complaining about pricing on one hand, following up by saying due to your income bracket the price difference is pocket change and not worth the worry. Granted my example is anecdotal but we've run cars out here for 25 years on 85. We must not be the only ones or they wouldn't be selling it. As far as I know every manufacturer recommends at least 87 - but I doubt they print a different manual for high altitude. Unless I'm driving a specialty vehicle, 85 is fine.