The Secret Behind Gas Stations' Three Fuel Grades
Most gas stations only store two kinds of gasoline underground, yet offer three fuel grades at the pump.
Key Takeaways
- Most gas stations store only two kinds of gasoline underground: regular and premium.
- The middle fuel grade is created on demand by blending regular and premium gasoline inside the pump.
- This system saves space and money for gas stations.
- The blending process is precise and ensures the correct octane rating.
- State Weights and Measures agencies inspect fuel dispensers to verify accuracy.
How Does It Work?
When you select regular gasoline, the dispenser pulls fuel from the regular storage tank. Select premium, and it draws exclusively from the premium tank.
But press the button for 89 octane, and the process changes. The dispenser simultaneously draws gasoline from both the regular and premium tanks. Inside the pump, a computerized blending system meters each fuel in precise amounts before combining them into a single stream that flows into your vehicle.
Why Does It Matter?
Installing underground fuel tanks is incredibly expensive. Blending fuel inside the dispenser solves this problem by allowing stations to store only the two fuels customers buy most often.
This system also gives stations more flexibility. Rather than worrying about keeping three separate tanks stocked at all times, operators only have to monitor supplies of regular and premium gasoline.
Is Blended Fuel Lower Quality?
No, modern fuel dispensers use highly accurate metering systems that carefully measure how much regular and premium gasoline enters the blend. The resulting fuel meets the advertised octane rating just as if it had been delivered to the station as a separate product.
Ensuring Accuracy
State Weights and Measures agencies routinely inspect fuel dispensers to verify they’re delivering both the correct amount of fuel and the proper octane rating. Pumps that fall outside acceptable tolerances must be recalibrated before they can continue serving customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do gas stations only store two kinds of gasoline underground?
Installing underground fuel tanks is incredibly expensive. Blending fuel inside the dispenser solves this problem by allowing stations to store only the two fuels customers buy most often.
Q: Is blended fuel lower quality than fuel stored in its own tank?
No, modern fuel dispensers use highly accurate metering systems that carefully measure how much regular and premium gasoline enters the blend. The resulting fuel meets the advertised octane rating just as if it had been delivered to the station as a separate product.
Q: How do gas stations ensure the accuracy of their fuel dispensers?
State Weights and Measures agencies routinely inspect fuel dispensers to verify they’re delivering both the correct amount of fuel and the proper octane rating. Pumps that fall outside acceptable tolerances must be recalibrated before they can continue serving customers.
