When the gas prices went up to five bucks a gallon, I was even thinking of driving out of my way to pay less. Since then, I simply pump my gas when I’m nearly out of gas. Period.
Yesterday, I pull into a gas station across the street from a Chevron station and notice the price per gallon is 30 cents less than Chevron. I noticed both stations had big gas tankers, the one at Chevron, of course, had the logo of Chevron. The truck at my station had no logo, probably because the station name was off brand, called Falcon.
Frankly, I’ve never stopped and thought so deeply about the quality of gas I might be buying for 30 cents a gallon less, up until that moment. Perhaps, I’d never seen such a precipitous price differential from the brand I grew up on, Chevron, across the street.
Nonetheless, I asked the truck driver what was the difference between the gas he was pumping and the Chevron truck across the street. Of course, he told me, “There is no difference. I know that truck driver,” he said, ”and we both just filled our trucks up today at the same fuel plant in Martinez, CA.”
“Wait a minute,” I said. He shot back, “And, the only difference?… Chevron pours into their fuel, one gallon of Techron additive for every 10,000 gallons of gas.”
What is Techron? It’s the only fuel additive that provides both unbeatable engine deposit control and protection against harmful sulfurs that can cause fuel gauge sensors to malfunction.
The only?
I began to ponder. Would I pay 30 cents more per gallon for a micro-ounce of that Techron in my truck? Ah…let me think about this for just a moment…. AH, NO!!!
I know some of my freinds swear by Techron for its value to their vehicle and would drive on fumes to remain a diehard Chevron fan and putter miles to locate a Chevron.
Will you buy gas at an off brand station?
Are you also a believer of the Chevron Techron Cult?
What do we consider a GREEN gas station? Has anyone figured that out?
We know how to determine if McDonald’s is green. They install car battery power stations so you eat and get your electric buzz on. Hey, we all start somewhere.
Notice when you visit a Chevron station, let your eyeballs browse and notice how many Techron stickers are EVERYWHERE!
Next time I drive off the lot of a Chevron, you’ll hear me, cause I’ll be screaming….”I LOVE MY TECHRON!!!”
You have to admit, Chevron is consistently clean, pumps almost always operable, and bathrooms that you can stand in for more than 10 seconds without your forehead caving in from the stench. Hats off!










Jared James
on 19 Aug 2009 at 3:47 pm
I like your point here. I’ve often thought of the differences between Chevron (which is what I use. Dad drove for them for like 30 years) and the other no name brands.
I’ve used less expensive brands before and I actually had problems with my engine shortly after. I heard that lower price place puts water in their gas. Not cool!
So it could all be a perception or there might actually be a difference. I’d like to believe there’s a difference.
And a green gas station, to me, would be one with solar panels to power their convenient store. Also, I’d love to see more alternative fuel stations.
Which way are we going? Solar? Hydrogen?