Why Do Private Gas Stations Only Sell 95-Octane Gasoline?
3 Answers
95-octane gasoline is cheaper. So-called private gasoline refers to fuel from private gas stations or fuel peddlers. For private gas stations, most of their fuel comes from refineries. As for fuel peddlers, much of their gasoline is blended. Although it's cheaper, it's very harmful. Here's some relevant information about private gasoline: Selling gasoline privately constitutes the crime of illegal business operations, and those involved bear corresponding criminal liabilities. Due to the poor quality of the fuel, long-term use can easily clog the throttle and fuel injectors, and even cause engine damage, which is not worth the cost. Therefore, it's essential to choose official gas stations for refueling and use gasoline with the appropriate octane rating.
I noticed that private gas stations indeed offer a more limited selection of fuel, primarily selling 95-octane gasoline due to cost considerations. Compared to 98-octane, the base oil for 95-octane is easier to blend and requires less technical expertise from small refineries, allowing them to purchase it at about 20% lower cost. Their equipment is often outdated, and storage tanks can only maintain mid-grade gasoline quality. Higher-octane gasoline is more prone to oxidation and deterioration, which increases risks. Additionally, mid-range vehicles account for over 70% of the market, and these cars find 95-octane both economical and sufficient, making it unnecessary to stock 98-octane and tie up inventory. However, I’d like to remind everyone to be cautious if you find private gas stations offering unusually cheap fuel—poor-quality gasoline can easily cause engine knocking or carbon buildup.
Frequently traveling long distances, I've noticed that private gas stations uniformly sell 95-octane gasoline, which is actually related to consumer habits. Most car owners choose 95-octane for its cost-effectiveness—it burns longer than 92-octane while being cheaper than 98-octane. Having run a repair shop for over a decade, I've observed that private stations have unstable supply channels. 95-octane gasoline has lower storage requirements and can be stored in ordinary steel tanks for up to 30 days without easily forming gum deposits. 98-octane, on the other hand, requires more precise storage equipment, which these stations simply can't afford to upgrade. Another detail is that the metering chips in private fuel dispensers are often only compatible with 95-octane formulations. Switching to other grades would require replacing the entire system, which isn't worth the cost. For German cars or turbocharged vehicles with a 'T,' it's safer to fill up with 98-octane at official stations.
