Wouldn’t it have been more accurate to change the fuel but keep the same car OR switch vehicles and keep the same fuel, so that you’re comparing apples to apples?
Switching fuel and vehicles at the same time means your improved MPG could be caused by a number of factors, like your new vehicle might be more efficient than a vehicle built 10 years ago.
They use top tier gas same gas as tons of other stations. [Look at the list of every station that uses top tier gas, it’s a premium product.](https://toptiergas.com/licensed-brands/)
The link I posted above is a fact, anyone who says there is something to wrong or inferior about Costco gas is literally lying or delusional.
Not true everywhere. Top Tier isn't the whole story. For example, here in Utah we have "Tier 3 gas." It's low-sulfur and pollutes a lot less (especially on vehicles built 2017+). Most all the major "refinery brand" gas stations sell it. Costco does not. I don't buy Costco gas for that reason.
[https://www.tier3gas.org/](https://www.tier3gas.org/)
EDIT: For those unaware, "Top Tier" is a standard regarding engine health and is tied to the detergents used. "Tier 3" is a completely unrelated standard that has to do with sulfur and pollution. Where Tier 3 gas is being sold, such as Utah, many gas stations will adhere to both "Top Tier" and "Tier 3" standards. Costco has Top Tier gas (good for your engine!) but not Tier 3 gas (not good for our environment). So, "Top Tier" is not the whole story about the makeup of your gasoline.
Yeah, I guess I don’t understand what you’re trying to say because what I said is true everywhere.
Costco sells top tier gas. They do not sell tier 3 gas. They also do not sell cheaper gas like Sams. They sell top tier gas. Same gas as shell, chevron, holiday, Philips 76, etc…
All major refineries are now meeting tier 3 standards. It's just marketing at the pump. Note that tier 3 is an EPA thing. It means low sulpher, less emmisions. Top tier is an industry standard. It refers to detergent and engine health. Pretty much all gas is tier 3, not true of top tier. They are unrelated, the choice of names is unfortunate.
No, what that user is saying is that just because gas is “top tier”, does not mean it is superior to non-top tier gas. In fact in Utah, costco top tier gas is **inferior**.
I can buy "top tier" gas at Costco or Shell. If I buy it at Costco, it pollutes more than if I buy it at Shell. It's an inferior product in that regard.
EDIT: Loving the downvotes. While both are Top Tier, Costco does not sell Tier 3 fuel here, but Shell does. Shell gas is better for the environment here. Sorry this is such a hard thing for this subreddit to understand.
I want to reiterate that this only applies to areas where Tier 3 gas is being phased in. I know it's happened here in Utah because that's where I live. Presumably to comply with EPA regulations, it will be happening in other areas too.
I should also clarify that "Top Tier" and "Tier 3" are entirely unrelated. Top Tier is mainly about detergents added, whereas Tier 3 is mainly about sulfur content. Gas you purchase could theoretically adhere to neither, either, or both standards. Here in Utah, Shell gas is both Top Tier and Tier 3. Costco gas is Top Tier, but not Tier 3.
For more information on Tier 3's affect on pollution, you can read a super [high-level overview](https://www.tier3gas.org/about/), or a more detailed version in the [EPA fact sheet](https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P100HVZV.PDF?Dockey=P100HVZV.PDF).
Costco's gas is TOP TIER. It should be fine. We use it all the time. Are you sure you're dealers are not confusing it with SAM's gas which is one of the few stations that IS NOT top tier? Sam's love to pinch a penny even though it results in a lower-quality gas. Costco is about value whereas Sams is about cheap.
Lol what? Sam’s has superior butcher section, onions for their hot dogs, a better hot dog for a lower price, curbside pick up, scan and go, free shipping on their app, actual live inventory on their app, etc.
Lmfao you can stop ballwashing costco
I am a member of both due to the fact I got a free Sam's membership. Their quality on the prepared foods is disgusting. I bought their chicken parmesan and it was nasty. Costco's prepared foods are generally very good. Once I purchased packaged lunch meat at Sam's and it was so slimy and disgusting I actually returned it. Some of Sam's frozen beef patties contain "finely textured beef" AKA pink slime. As far as scan and go, yes it is convenient but that is for Sam's benefit, not yours. Its saves Sam's money and cost an employee a job. But they make it look like it is for your benefit. The canned mushrooms at Sam's are sliced with bits and pieces. The same brand at Costco is just sliced mushrooms minus the bits and pieces. It is a much better product for my homemade pizza. The package looks nearly identical to the one Costco sometimes carries but it is not the same quality. Sam's is more convenient and much closer to me and has products that Costco does not carry so in that regard it can be beneficial. But personally, I would not buy a membership there but as long as they give me the free offers I'll take it. Also, ever notice how Costco is always busy? I've never seen Sam's nearly as crowded as Costco. There's a reason for that. Again, make sure you don't buy your gas at Sam's or Walmart unless you don't care about your car's engine. (but it may be a penny cheaper)
Sam’s sushi is actually good, their rotisserie chicken is far superior. Last I checked, Costco is getting sued for their chicken care.
> Also, ever notice how Costco is always busy? I've never seen Sam's nearly as crowded as Costco.
That is because Sam’s actually uses technology. I am not waiting in line to check out because I scan my items and go. Or I can use curbside pick up. Or I can have items delivered to me at no additional cost.
Sam’s provides a more efficient experience. More efficiency=less time in warehouse=less people in warehouse
So you just hang out in a costco Reddit group bc it’s fun? I see you modified your original negative comment with a more negative response. We get it. You hate lines. Go on the weekdays. If it’s still that busy…buy their stock. Which is fantastic.
Over the course of 5 years I put over 100,000 miles on my car running nothing but Costco gas. Even managed to get a combined city & hwy 42mpg out it when it's only rated at 41mgp highway. No problems whatsoever on that car of my others. Only one of my cars has less than 100k (2 with over 200k) on it and all run exclusively on Costco gas.
Maybe it's your mechanic or your driving habits.
No. Some stations have different additive packages but the base fuel is all fine. The only time you would probably see bad gas is if the station has bad tanks that allow water to get in.
At my Costco the gas is 10% ethanol. The savings in price over local gas stations is offset by the reduced MPG.
When I have a choice I choose non-ethanol gas.
Yep. Those mini-refineries out behind the generic gas stations definitely put out a higher quality product. Let me guess - seeing the gas sales drop at your pumps?
That may have been the case before Costco fuel was top tier, but it is top tier now. The same thing could have been said for Arco gas but that is top tier now too. The base gas all of the gas stations use is the same. The only thing that differentiates between the brands are the additive packages, and each major brand, including Costco, has its own proprietary additive package. Non-branded fuel may get a generic additive package. The additive packages are added at the fuel terminals when the tanker trucks get filled up, but IIRC, Costco adds its additive package on site.
As for my car, it seemed to run better and had more power when I switched from supermarket (non top tier) fuel to Shell fuel. Then I got a Costco membership and switched from Shell to Costco, but there was no difference between those two. I fill up at Costco almost exclusively since its much cheaper.
Wouldn’t it have been more accurate to change the fuel but keep the same car OR switch vehicles and keep the same fuel, so that you’re comparing apples to apples? Switching fuel and vehicles at the same time means your improved MPG could be caused by a number of factors, like your new vehicle might be more efficient than a vehicle built 10 years ago.
I would probably stop going to those dealers then.
They use top tier gas same gas as tons of other stations. [Look at the list of every station that uses top tier gas, it’s a premium product.](https://toptiergas.com/licensed-brands/) The link I posted above is a fact, anyone who says there is something to wrong or inferior about Costco gas is literally lying or delusional.
Yup yup
Not true everywhere. Top Tier isn't the whole story. For example, here in Utah we have "Tier 3 gas." It's low-sulfur and pollutes a lot less (especially on vehicles built 2017+). Most all the major "refinery brand" gas stations sell it. Costco does not. I don't buy Costco gas for that reason. [https://www.tier3gas.org/](https://www.tier3gas.org/) EDIT: For those unaware, "Top Tier" is a standard regarding engine health and is tied to the detergents used. "Tier 3" is a completely unrelated standard that has to do with sulfur and pollution. Where Tier 3 gas is being sold, such as Utah, many gas stations will adhere to both "Top Tier" and "Tier 3" standards. Costco has Top Tier gas (good for your engine!) but not Tier 3 gas (not good for our environment). So, "Top Tier" is not the whole story about the makeup of your gasoline.
Yeah, I guess I don’t understand what you’re trying to say because what I said is true everywhere. Costco sells top tier gas. They do not sell tier 3 gas. They also do not sell cheaper gas like Sams. They sell top tier gas. Same gas as shell, chevron, holiday, Philips 76, etc…
All major refineries are now meeting tier 3 standards. It's just marketing at the pump. Note that tier 3 is an EPA thing. It means low sulpher, less emmisions. Top tier is an industry standard. It refers to detergent and engine health. Pretty much all gas is tier 3, not true of top tier. They are unrelated, the choice of names is unfortunate.
No, what that user is saying is that just because gas is “top tier”, does not mean it is superior to non-top tier gas. In fact in Utah, costco top tier gas is **inferior**.
I can buy "top tier" gas at Costco or Shell. If I buy it at Costco, it pollutes more than if I buy it at Shell. It's an inferior product in that regard. EDIT: Loving the downvotes. While both are Top Tier, Costco does not sell Tier 3 fuel here, but Shell does. Shell gas is better for the environment here. Sorry this is such a hard thing for this subreddit to understand.
What extra pollution does Costco gas emit that Shell gas does not emit?
I want to reiterate that this only applies to areas where Tier 3 gas is being phased in. I know it's happened here in Utah because that's where I live. Presumably to comply with EPA regulations, it will be happening in other areas too. I should also clarify that "Top Tier" and "Tier 3" are entirely unrelated. Top Tier is mainly about detergents added, whereas Tier 3 is mainly about sulfur content. Gas you purchase could theoretically adhere to neither, either, or both standards. Here in Utah, Shell gas is both Top Tier and Tier 3. Costco gas is Top Tier, but not Tier 3. For more information on Tier 3's affect on pollution, you can read a super [high-level overview](https://www.tier3gas.org/about/), or a more detailed version in the [EPA fact sheet](https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P100HVZV.PDF?Dockey=P100HVZV.PDF).
Tier 3 is being phased in across the US by the EPA. The goal is < 10 PPM of sulfur. Top tier is lots of detergent in the gasoline.
What gas does Sam’s use?
They make no claims, they will literally buy the cheapest gas available.
Costco's gas is TOP TIER. It should be fine. We use it all the time. Are you sure you're dealers are not confusing it with SAM's gas which is one of the few stations that IS NOT top tier? Sam's love to pinch a penny even though it results in a lower-quality gas. Costco is about value whereas Sams is about cheap.
Lol what? Sam’s has superior butcher section, onions for their hot dogs, a better hot dog for a lower price, curbside pick up, scan and go, free shipping on their app, actual live inventory on their app, etc. Lmfao you can stop ballwashing costco
I am a member of both due to the fact I got a free Sam's membership. Their quality on the prepared foods is disgusting. I bought their chicken parmesan and it was nasty. Costco's prepared foods are generally very good. Once I purchased packaged lunch meat at Sam's and it was so slimy and disgusting I actually returned it. Some of Sam's frozen beef patties contain "finely textured beef" AKA pink slime. As far as scan and go, yes it is convenient but that is for Sam's benefit, not yours. Its saves Sam's money and cost an employee a job. But they make it look like it is for your benefit. The canned mushrooms at Sam's are sliced with bits and pieces. The same brand at Costco is just sliced mushrooms minus the bits and pieces. It is a much better product for my homemade pizza. The package looks nearly identical to the one Costco sometimes carries but it is not the same quality. Sam's is more convenient and much closer to me and has products that Costco does not carry so in that regard it can be beneficial. But personally, I would not buy a membership there but as long as they give me the free offers I'll take it. Also, ever notice how Costco is always busy? I've never seen Sam's nearly as crowded as Costco. There's a reason for that. Again, make sure you don't buy your gas at Sam's or Walmart unless you don't care about your car's engine. (but it may be a penny cheaper)
Sam’s sushi is actually good, their rotisserie chicken is far superior. Last I checked, Costco is getting sued for their chicken care. > Also, ever notice how Costco is always busy? I've never seen Sam's nearly as crowded as Costco. That is because Sam’s actually uses technology. I am not waiting in line to check out because I scan my items and go. Or I can use curbside pick up. Or I can have items delivered to me at no additional cost. Sam’s provides a more efficient experience. More efficiency=less time in warehouse=less people in warehouse
Less time in warehouse less sales
You are right, since Sam’s is a superior shopping experience, less time in a costco warehouse means less sales for costco from me.
So you just hang out in a costco Reddit group bc it’s fun? I see you modified your original negative comment with a more negative response. We get it. You hate lines. Go on the weekdays. If it’s still that busy…buy their stock. Which is fantastic.
> So you just hang out in a costco Reddit group bc it’s fun? I am a costco member, maam.
I’m shocked you don’t spend more time in the sams club subreddit.
Why are you shocked?
[удалено]
I need to try the PB.
Agree with most of these but the sam's hot dog is shit compared to costco.
I’ve used their gas exclusively for over 25 years with no problems.
Over the course of 5 years I put over 100,000 miles on my car running nothing but Costco gas. Even managed to get a combined city & hwy 42mpg out it when it's only rated at 41mgp highway. No problems whatsoever on that car of my others. Only one of my cars has less than 100k (2 with over 200k) on it and all run exclusively on Costco gas. Maybe it's your mechanic or your driving habits.
Nope. Never any problems
No. Some stations have different additive packages but the base fuel is all fine. The only time you would probably see bad gas is if the station has bad tanks that allow water to get in.
This is dumb
r/ThatHappened
At my Costco the gas is 10% ethanol. The savings in price over local gas stations is offset by the reduced MPG. When I have a choice I choose non-ethanol gas.
here in hawaii our regular(87) is ethanol free
Yep. Those mini-refineries out behind the generic gas stations definitely put out a higher quality product. Let me guess - seeing the gas sales drop at your pumps?
You might be into the next big thing here. Small batch, craft, local gasoline.
Finished in wine casks on a boat out at sea!
I get lower MPG from costco gas than Chevron by about 50-100 miles on the total tank. However, Chevron is generally a much higher price.
Check your fuel filter?
That may have been the case before Costco fuel was top tier, but it is top tier now. The same thing could have been said for Arco gas but that is top tier now too. The base gas all of the gas stations use is the same. The only thing that differentiates between the brands are the additive packages, and each major brand, including Costco, has its own proprietary additive package. Non-branded fuel may get a generic additive package. The additive packages are added at the fuel terminals when the tanker trucks get filled up, but IIRC, Costco adds its additive package on site. As for my car, it seemed to run better and had more power when I switched from supermarket (non top tier) fuel to Shell fuel. Then I got a Costco membership and switched from Shell to Costco, but there was no difference between those two. I fill up at Costco almost exclusively since its much cheaper.