As gas prices across the country continue to rise, many people wonder if Walmart gas is good. After all, it’s one of the cheapest gas options out there. But is Walmart gas good? Will it cause your car to be less efficient?
Why does gas quality matter for your car?
Everyone understands the importance of regularly refueling their car’s fuel tank, but the quality of the gas you put in can significantly impact your vehicle’s performance.
The first and most crucial reason gas quality matters are that different fuel types can affect how well your car runs. For example, premium fuel contains detergents designed to keep your car’s engine clean and reduce deposits from forming on fuel injectors and valves.
Regular fuel doesn’t contain these detergents and can cause deposits to accumulate, which can lead to poor combustion, increased emissions, and reduced engine performance.
Another important factor is that different fuel types contain different amounts of energy. Gasoline with a higher octane rating offers a higher energy value and allows your vehicle’s engine to create more power, improving acceleration and power. On the other hand, gasoline with a lower octane rating contains less energy, resulting in less power and slower acceleration.
Finally, the type of fuel you use can also impact how long your car will last. Car manufacturers often recommend Premium fuel, as it can cause increased engine wear and reduce the lifespan of your car’s engine. [1]
Walmart gas quality
It is no secret that Walmart is known for its low prices. Not only do they have the best deals on groceries, but they also offer affordable gasoline. But the question remains – Is Walmart gas quality good?
Actually, Walmart gas is just as good as gas from any other gas station. All gas sold in the United States must adhere to standards and specifications defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Additionally, all gas sold must contain detergent additives to help prevent engine deposits. The US Department of Energy requires that all gasoline sold at retail locations meet or exceed these requirements.
That being said, some advantages to using Walmart gas may prompt you to make it your default choice for fueling up. Walmart gas is cheaper than other fuel brands. Additionally, Walmart has Reward Points programs where customers can earn points with each purchase that can be redeemed for discounts.
Nowadays, Walmart also has store locations with self-service kiosks where customers can fuel their cars. This allows for a more convenient experience for customers as they don’t have to wait in line to have a cashier ring them up.
Walmart gas prices
With over 5,000 Supercenters across the United States, Walmart is one of the nation’s largest gasoline suppliers. Walmart’s fuel prices vary by state and city, ranging from about $2.50/gallon to over $4.00/gallon. However, Walmart’s in-house fuel centers constantly strive to offer competitive prices to draw people in and help keep costs down for Walmart customers.
To ensure customers receive the best value, Walmart recently debuted a Fuel Savings program. This program is designed to keep the cost of fuel down for customers and helps Walmart compete with other gas stations.
Customers use a Walmart gas rewards card to receive a cent per gallon in savings for every $50 spent in the store. The rewards card also allows customers to accrue loyalty points that can be redeemed for discounts on Walmart Gas.
Beyond the Fuel Savings Program, Walmart offers discounted gas through its in-store loyalty program. Walmart Plus members can receive three cents off per gallon on fuel purchases, making it easier to save even more on fuel.
Walmart has also experimented with selling discounted diesel fuel in select locations. This fuel is typically marked lower than regular unleaded fuel, giving customers an option that is more cost-effective and fuel efficient. [2]
What gas does Walmart use?
Walmart primarily uses propane gas to power its operations. Propane is a liquefied petroleum gas that is odorless, colorless, and non-toxic. It is a relatively inexpensive and versatile fuel and does not emit smog-forming pollutants like carbon monoxide.
Propane gas is used in a variety of ways in Walmart stores. It is used to power generators, heaters, forklifts, and other machinery. It is also used to fuel certain refrigeration equipment, and some stores use it to fuel machinery in the warehouse section.
Walmart has committed to sustainability, and using propane gas can reduce its emissions and environmental footprint. Propane is a cleaner-burning fuel than other fuels such as diesel and gas, and Walmart’s commitment to using propane gas helps them meet their sustainability goals. [3]
Why is Walmart gas so cheap?
One reason Walmart gas is often so much cheaper than the competition is its enormous purchasing power. Walmart is the world’s largest retailer, so that they can make bulk gasoline purchases in unparalleled quantities.
This gives them more leverage to negotiate lower prices with oil suppliers and suppliers of other ingredients used in gasoline production, thus meaning they can offer everyday shoppers cheaper gas prices than their competitors.
Read Also: Walmart Oil Change
Moreover, unlike large, multi-location gas stations, Walmart gas stations generally have fewer overhead costs, such as employee wages, rent, and insurance, which helps keep prices down.
Additionally, Walmart has far fewer operating costs than traditional gas stations due to their compact mini-mart convenience stores, which require significantly less labor than a traditional gas station. [4]
Where does Walmart get its gas?
Walmart buys gasoline from major oil companies, such as BP and ExxonMobil. These companies own and operate their refineries and ship the fuel to Walmart. BP is Walmart’s primary supplier to most of its stores across the United States.
While these oil companies are Walmart’s primary fuel source, they may also get fuel from smaller, independent retailers. These independent retailers may either purchase or blend gasoline from different sources. For example, a retailer may buy its fuel from two other oil companies, combine it, and then send it to Walmart. Walmart may also blend fuel from different suppliers and refine it onsite.
Since Walmart purchases its fuel from various sources, it is sometimes different from the same quality. This is why you may find different prices between different Walmart locations. They may also offer different promotions, or discounts, depending on the quality of the fuel. [5]
Is Walmart gas watered down?
To answer this question, it is important to understand how gas is made. Gasoline is produced from crude oil by refining it at a refinery. The refining process breaks down the crude oil into components used to make gasoline. To create gasoline, refineries mix components such as butane, propane, and octane.
Combining these components creates the fuel you pump into your car. Once the gasoline is produced at the refinery, it is then transported to a wholesaler. The wholesaler is responsible for distributing the gasoline to retailers, such as Walmart. Walmart then packages the fuel (in bulk or cans/jugs) and sells it to consumers.
So, is Walmart gas watered down? The answer is no. Walmart fuel is made from the same refined components as any other gas you can buy from a gas station. It is not diluted to save money. Walmart can offer customers low fuel prices because it is a large purchaser of refined fuel from the wholesaler.
However, it is important to note that you should always check the octane rating on the pump before filling it up. Many large retailers, including Walmart, sell gasoline of varied octane levels, including premium fuel. So, always double-check the octane rating to ensure you purchase the proper fuel for your vehicle. [7]
Read Also: Walmart Car Batteries
Is Shell gas better than Walmart gas?
Shell gas has a more established brand and is widely considered a top-quality gas. Shell gas contains Techron, a high-performance additive designed to help clean the fuel system and keep the engine running smoothly over time.
In addition, Shell features a full range of fuel types at their stations, including higher-octane Premium, mid-grade plus, and regular unleaded.
On the other hand, Walmart gas is offered through third-party suppliers so the fuel quality can vary. Although some Walmart locations offer Premium gasoline, you may have to look for it in particular regions. Furthermore, Walmart does not use additives or detergents in its gasoline, which can lessen its effectiveness over time.
When it comes down to it, Shell gas is generally seen as the better choice, given its brand reputation for quality fuel and its proprietary additive Techron.
That said, the price difference between Shell gas and Walmart gas is usually quite large, so you’ll have to weigh whether the higher cost of Shell gas is worth it. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which fuel choice makes sense for your needs and budget. [8]
Read Also: Steering Assist Is Reduced Error
Final Takeaway
Walmart gas is generally a good value for an everyday fuel option. It is reliable, reasonably priced, and readily available at thousands of locations across the United States. Although its quality may not match that of premium fuel brands, it is suitable for most vehicles and is an affordable fuel source.
