I have heard rumors that octane can deteriorate while in the storage tanks at gas stations. Is this true?

 

Let me stress that I am not wanting to get "back into" the debate on whether regular is better than premium. I'm wanting to know if I should be pickier on which gas stations I go to.

 

Yes! Fuel will loose some of it oomph if stored for long periods of time (30 days or more)

 

Ohhhhhh !

Never, ever, fill up when the tanker is filling the tanks.

It stirs up all the water and crap in the tank.

You don't want that in your tank

Buy your fuel from a station that sells a lot of fuel,

 

Octane is not a measure of the energy stored in gasoline it is a measure of its resistance to detonation. The difference in stored energy in 87 and 91 octane should be negligible.

As far as the decomposition/degradation of gasoline, I don't see how it will decompose as it is in a stable molecular configuration when it leaves the processing plant. I'm sure if you store it for a long period of time it will deteriorate but I think that would probably have to do with the conditions under which you store it (leaky or unclean storage tank, etc.).

Gabe

 

Thanks Guys! You've been a great help! I think I will go to the larger gas stations rather than the mom and pop places.