Is there really any difference between discount and "name brand" gasoline?

I always get medium grade gasoline, usually from Shell. But sometimes I go to Valero (Diamond Shamrock). Are name brand gasoline stations better for your car than discount gas stations?



Or is it a case of gas is gas is gas...and some places are overcharging because of their additives and these additives are not really necessary? Doesn't all the gas come from the same place and isn't it all the same?

Is there really any difference between discount and "name brand" gasoline?
My father-in-law used to drive a fuel truck and I asked him - When the deliveries were done, all the trucks would go back and what was left over in the trucks/hose lines/etc. would be collected into one truck and that is what they would sell to the discount stations. So pretty much its the exact same gas.
Reply:I'm very "in tune" with my cars.

Yes. I notice a difference in the gas that is used. I've settled on Chevron as best for my Suburban.
Reply:All gasoline comes from the same storage tanks. I drove a gas tanker for a time, and I would be in line with trucks for every other company.



The only real difference in gas is how effective their advertising is in "brainwashing" their customer into believing that their gas is better than the competitions product. (some people actually believe it)



Just buy the cheapest gas you can find and your car will run just fine.
Reply:usually there are only maybe acouple refinaries in each state. and the gas stations get the gas from the closest one and add their own additive package
Reply:Gasoline is regulated federally to be a certain quality, and have a certain amount of cleaners. Name brand gas has more cleaners added.



The difference between the regular, super, and premium is another thing. It's mostly octane rating (though they could add more cleaners to one than another).



Check to see the minimum octane rating for your car. Most are 87+. Use that rating gas (unless you are getting knocking in your engine and a mechanic tells you to buy a higher octane to quiet it). Don't worry too much aabout the name brand stuff. The money you'll save buying the cheaper gas will more than make up for a $2 bottle of injector cleaner once or twice a year.