High Test Gas
12-02-2015, 09:37 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
High Test Gas
Here on the East Coast, high test gas use to be $.40 to $.50 per gallon more than regular gas. In the past few months, high test is now $.70 to $.80 per gallon more than regular. Yesterday, I stopped at a Shell station and their regular gas was $1.99/ gallon. High test was $2.99/ gallon! Why is high test gas now so expensive compared to regular gas?
12-02-2015, 09:40 AM
#2
Rennlist Member
Here on the East Coast, high test gas use to be $.40 to $.50 per gallon more than regular gas. In the past few months, high test is now $.70 to $.80 per gallon more than regular. Yesterday, I stopped at a Shell station and their regular gas was $1.99/ gallon. High test was $2.99/ gallon! Why is high test gas now so expensive compared to regular gas?
Stations that are privatiey owned can set their own prices. Where i live in NJ most stations ask a .10 premium over regular for Super.
12-02-2015, 09:50 AM
#3
Race Director
high test lol? you sure they aren't giving you diesel when you ask for high test? Not like the kid working the pump has a clue what that is.
Anyway, go to BP stations. Routinely the cheapest. I paid $2.25 for 93 a week or so ago.
Anyway, go to BP stations. Routinely the cheapest. I paid $2.25 for 93 a week or so ago.
12-02-2015, 10:51 AM
#4
Three Wheelin'
BWAAH-HA-HA. You want high gasoline prices come to California. $2.99/gal. for premium is close to the going rate here. I haven't seen $1.99 since March of 2008 at an Chevron Station in Alamo (CA) (it was actually $1.86 for premium). Along with Earthquakes, a lack of water and upwards of a 10% State income tax (on top of an 8% to 9.5% sales tax), high gasoline prices are just one of the many things we tolerate in "The Golden State" which always seems to be on the verge of insolvency.
Wow, they still don't allow Self Serve in New Jersey?
Wow, they still don't allow Self Serve in New Jersey?
12-02-2015, 11:48 AM
#7
Three Wheelin'
Supply and demand.
The demand for unleaded high test (come on, remember when we had to say unleaded?) is very high right now, due to a surge of turbo sales. The answer to EPA demands is 'Turbo everything!", and most turbos recommend premium (I've yet to see one gas cap call it high test).
Refineries are using older data to trend out future demands. Quite frankly, they are vulnerable to the same kind of forecasting errors many businesses make: Too much old historical data to trend future demand. The market is changing, but they might be reacting. If this goes on longer, then they're not reacting fast enough... but they might also realize that premium users (even those who can drop to 87) are going to pay for that premium believing it is a must. And that means demand stays high... so could be smart move by refineries and stations.
The demand for unleaded high test (come on, remember when we had to say unleaded?) is very high right now, due to a surge of turbo sales. The answer to EPA demands is 'Turbo everything!", and most turbos recommend premium (I've yet to see one gas cap call it high test).
Refineries are using older data to trend out future demands. Quite frankly, they are vulnerable to the same kind of forecasting errors many businesses make: Too much old historical data to trend future demand. The market is changing, but they might be reacting. If this goes on longer, then they're not reacting fast enough... but they might also realize that premium users (even those who can drop to 87) are going to pay for that premium believing it is a must. And that means demand stays high... so could be smart move by refineries and stations.
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12-02-2015, 03:38 PM
#10
It could be the lack of ethanol in the higher grades or the seasonal fuel blend changes. Its usually a .10 cent jump from regular to mid, then a 20 cent from mid to premium around me. What ive noticed is that as the gas prices have fallen recently the premium will stay high for another week or so creating a 40-50 cent difference.
Dont bother with the question of "WHY," I have lived on the third coast in CC TX just a few miles from several refineries and have seen higher prices than at a station 50 or 100 or 500 miles away, the answer, "because they can!"
Dont bother with the question of "WHY," I have lived on the third coast in CC TX just a few miles from several refineries and have seen higher prices than at a station 50 or 100 or 500 miles away, the answer, "because they can!"
12-02-2015, 03:41 PM
#11
Racer
High test has a .40 cent premium here in NC/SC today. I too think it used to be .10 or .15 cents, but I am not sure what drives this cost. I am old enough to call it high test too.
12-02-2015, 04:45 PM
#12
The reason is greed. since most gas was 2 grades ; regular and hi test, they added mid grade which was 1/2 & 1/2 mix.
The prices were always regular $ .00 , mid +$ .10, hi +$ .20
If youve watched over the last few years when gas prices soared, the difference in the grades spread disproportionately to +$.20, .30, .40 from the regular to mid to hi. they dont correspond anymore.
Its just the penalty you have to pay to get hi test. Just like buying a Porsche. If you want one you have to pay too much money to get one.
The prices were always regular $ .00 , mid +$ .10, hi +$ .20
If youve watched over the last few years when gas prices soared, the difference in the grades spread disproportionately to +$.20, .30, .40 from the regular to mid to hi. they dont correspond anymore.
Its just the penalty you have to pay to get hi test. Just like buying a Porsche. If you want one you have to pay too much money to get one.
12-03-2015, 10:59 AM
#13
Three Wheelin'
The only thing more upsetting than the price of hi-test is the cost of 8-track tapes. And don't even get me started on Fotomat!
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Last edited by Philster; 12-03-2015 at 03:08 PM.
12-03-2015, 12:22 PM
#14
12-03-2015, 12:46 PM
#15
I found a gas station in Oriental, NC that sells no-ethanol premium gas. However, the price was 50 cents more per gallon than with 10% ethanol.
Did not seem to make much of a difference in my car.....
Yves
Did not seem to make much of a difference in my car.....
Yves