VA50th

...FYI....

http://shop.costco.com/In-The-Warehouse/Gasoline.aspx

I wonder how this new or increased additive compares to the top tier gas? Certainly much cheaper.

SunCr

Doesn't mean a hill of beans out here. What goes in is strictly regulated and in this town, it all comes from the same distribution point regardless of brand. Any additive particular to the Brand is added (supposedly) at the truck - though I've never seen the Chevron guy dumping in a bottle of Techron so I've got to wonder.

Rag Top

I have heard this as well. More important is the station's tanks. If they get contaminants, you vehicle will run bad. I have had good luck with Costco Gas in several states. I have talked with the attendants, and have watched them test flow rates. They said they change filters often, mostly to keep the flow rates up - not because of contaminants. (Have you seen the queues at their pumps?!?)

VA50th

...true....that must explain why (according to the Costco website) they don't offer this new additive 'out there'

c4cruiser

Costco doesn't make anything. Gasoline is bought by Costco through purchasing contracts for regional areas. The chances are this Costco additive is purchased on some contract and is supplied when the gas delivery is made.

Locally I have seen the same trucking company stop at Chevron stations, Shell stations, Union 76 stations, along with Safeway and Costco. When the driver stops at a name brand station, he adds whatever additive is necessary.

Here in WA, there are 4 major oil refineries; Shell, BP, Conoco/Phillips and Tesoro. There is no Chevron refinery, but Chevron is a very common brand throughout the Northwest. So the Techron has to come from somewhere; usually from a small storage container located on the tank truck or trailer.

VA50th

...good info.....

our local Costco recently installed some new tanks or something. It required the drive lanes to be dug up for awhile. While the work was being done I asked what they were doing and was told it was all about the additive. I dunno...

Wathen1955

I always buy Chevron because of Techron, but that is a good question - do they add it.

snyder

Same thing happened at the one by me. Interesting.

Railroadman

You gotta wonder if the additives really do go in there. Used to see a lot of Esso stations, but never saw where they kept the tigers. Maybe they put them in at the refinery!

I DO remember in 1964, in Billings MT there was an Esso station with the usual "Put A Tiger In Your Tank" signs. Across the street was a competing station - can't recall what brand - with a big sign "Tiger Fuzz Filtered Out!"

PS - anybody recall the "tiger tails" you used to buy to have hanging out of your gas fill door?

Back to Costco etc, I agree it's as much how clean the station keeps their tanks as anything else. Crud is crud no matter how good the gas itself is.

Sweet 90

I do. I can still remember my dad having one on his Chevy

Railroadman

That's what I'm talking about!

In high school our swim coach's first name was Tony, and we called ourselves "Tony's Tigers". One meet we all showed up with those tiger tails hanging our of our Speedos. Sounds silly now but at that time and that age it was hysterical!

92ragtop

Looks like a novelty condom hanging out of that gas filler.

But, I remember those too. We would hang them from the rear-view mirror.

ch@0s

Sweet huffing is bag for you.. get out of there!!

Sweet 90

PLRX

Wasn't the Chevy fuel cap behind the tail light?

Sweet 90

Pete, IIRC that didn't start til 1956, but I may be wrong

hotrodbob01

56 was the year the gas cap was behind the light.

Not sure about the additives, but I have been using Costco gas in my Turbo HHR SS since new (2008 model). No problems.. Techron works. I worked for an OEM that found that it was the only additive that prevented carbon build up on the valves. The problem dates back to the 50's. GM helped develop a machine that blasts the carbon off the valves without taking the heads off or the valve train apart. It shot crushed walnut shells under pressure and cleaned the valves.

Railroadman

"Fill the tank with Techron and the air cleaner with Planter's!"

SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84

.....nice!