Costco Gas

Costco is rolling out their house brand 'clean power' which has 5x the EPA requirement.....which will match Shell's level. Not all stations have this as the additives are mixed at each station.

Visit their website for more info....by googling Costco Clean Power Gas

The good thing about Costco gas is that they sell such a high volume, you don't have stale gas. They monitor their pump filters closely. They monitor their tanks for water.

 

I use Costco and BP. I see no difference from tank to tank under similar driving conditions. My lifetime mpg is about 53.

 

They've had this at "my" Costco for a while now. So my point of view is from using that fuel.

 

I have noticed new signs on all the pumps in Gas stations here in California that Costco Gas now contains Ethanol, which could be the reason for your diminishing Gas mileage. They are becoming more in line with the ARCO's and cheaper stations and not the prmium product as before.

 

Here in Canada at least, the percentage of alcohol in the fuel is regulated by the government. Individual stations have no say. For "regular" fuel. Premium is currently not included in this regulation in Alberta. For example, Husky/Mohawk uses alcohol in all grades of their fuel, while Hughes only puts it in "regular" grade.

Also, here in Alberta, the additives are added to the delivery tanker truck when they fill up with "gasoline". The additive package changes depending on which station they are going to. Then they go to the ethyl alcohol plant and get that added as well.

 

If you look at other gas station brands (Shell, Chevron, Mobil, et al) you will also find Ethanol.

Believe it was enacted as part of the Energy and Independence and Security Act. The Federal Energy Act is mandating Ethanol. It is not just isolated to Costco gasoline.....but a requirement of all.

 

I'm a little late to this conversation but i think it was just a bad tank of gas... i just went threw a tank of Costco gas and got 54mpg

 

I almost always go to Costco for gas. In Minnesota, it's always cheaper, usually be .15-.20 cents. The mpg though is the same as the Holiday or Super America gas.

 

@ David Beale: where did you get those tires and wheels? Is that from Toyota? I have the same color Prius and I think they look great. I just have the stock, boring rims.

 

Pearl S is wearing the stock wheels and tyres that come with the Technology Package in Canada. Wheel covers are hanging on the garage wall, and "hub caps" from the GII are in the centre of the wheels.
This makes it easier to clean the wheels, which can get "stuff" soaked in salt in the nooks and crannies in winter. Though that's less of an issue now that Bruiser (an FJ Cruiser) cruises the roads in winter and Pearl S sleeps in the garage.

 

Could you explain this a bit? I just bought mine and I'm in the MidWest, so I know this winter I'll need to take a few short commutes. Any info would be super welcome.

Thanks

 

Use the seat heater

 

While I'm sure there are lots of scientific/mechanical explanations I'll stick to my simplistic understanding :
Gas engine running equals using gas. Gas engine is required to run more and less efficiently when cold or even constantly being cooled down which equals lower MPG than when it's at its most efficient operating temperature and speeds. Warm-up may take 10 or more minutes depending on ambient temp and engine load.
It's always best to plan short trips all together and by driving to the farthest point from start to begin errands and work your way home. This procedure allows the engine its best chance to reach and maintain peak operating temperature.
In my Gen 2 Prius I'd usually experience 10 to 15% reduction in MPG during typical winter driving. I've not driven the Gen 3 during winter.
You might consider researching this chocked full of info site looking for "grill blocking," " "winter driving" "tire pressure," "engine block heaters", etc. to gain insight into best mpg practices.
Hybrids are affected by the same variables as straight gasoline autos only their MPG hits are more obvious due to their refinements, aero dynamics, and higher mpg starting points...
ie. 10% of 50mpg =5 ! while 10% of 20mpg only= 2. Thus little things like a few pounds per sq inch less air in tires, winter gasoline blends, roof racks, and cold temps quickly become apparent to the mpg conscious hybrid driver.
Even with the cold weather impacts you'll still be miles ahead of non-hybrids

 

Yup. Yesterday, we did a run to drop off stuff at a good will store, then swung by the bottle recycler, then over to Toyota Dealership to pick up fluids/filters, then to a hardware store for premixed plaster and some trowels. Then home.

As you say, the engine get's more warmed up, by bundling all the short trips.

In addition, this strategy greatly reduces the number of those mileage killing short trips, puts less miles on the odometer.

 

I usually fill up with Shell. One day I was in a hurry and filled up with Lukoil (the former Mobil). I got much worse gas mileage with the Lukoil. In fact, the gas mileage decreased over the course of a drive on the expressway. I do not knew if this is simply a bad tank, or what. The computer controls in cars are supposed to be able to adjust to the fuel in the car. Maybe, as one poster suggested, this is an instance of too much ethanol; of a batch of gas going beyond the so-called "blend wall."

 

Unfortunately much of our driving is short trips (many of them to Costco). In two winters we find that short trips in cold weather when the stations here in Minnesota are required to use ethanol blend drop our 50-52 mpg to 38-40 a BIG change.

 

Hey we just got the Costco gaso here in NoVA they are $3.09 they are undercutting price almost 30 cents from everyone else. I assume you have to be a Costco club member to fill-up?

That low pump price still does not impress me much cause I rarely pay full price at the other stations. I had $1/gal off due to grocery receipts at Shell last week.

Interesting price behavior though, I am watching. At Fair Oaks shopping we have a BJ's and they moved to match Costso at $3.09. Also same location we have a major brand which used to match BJ's price, now they threw in the towel and are way higher.

 

I almost always use Costco gas and haven't had any problems. My mileage is dropping because it's getting cold here in Chicagoland.

 

The stations in Minnesota are required to use Ethanol all year, not just in the winter. The 10% Ethanol is the same in any season, the 90% gasoline however is not the same in winter. Winter gasoline is a more volitile blend that makes for easier cold weather starting. The downside to this easier starting winter gasoline blend is that it contains less energy than the summer blend. This lower energy winter gasoline stock along with cold weather making all grease, oil, fluids, even the rubber in your tires stiffer so it takes more energy to move your car.
The winter gasoline blend and the cold temperatures effect on your car, have far more to do with less winter fuel economy than the 10% portion of your fuel that is Ethanol . The formula and amount of Ethanol is exactly the same, summer and winter. The 90% of your fuel that is gasoline , changes a great deal between summer and winter.

 

I love E0 (ethanol-free) gasoline, which accurate mpg records I keep, show E0 giving 8%, 7%, & 5% better mpg than 10% ethanol blends. However, with the recent collapse in fuel prices(which hits our Washington state usually after everywhere else), the E0 fuel at my favorite E0 station didn't drop much(87 octane, down to $3.29 from $3.60). A local Costco sold 87 octane at $2.65, so I filled up. THAT tank gave mpg within 0.25 miles per gallon of my highest ever E0 tank for my 2013 Hyundai, which gets superb mpg from E0! I'm sure it must be a flunk, but I'll try more Costco tanks to see.