outrageous gas prices whatnot.

[Craig.]

I look at it this way. In the UK our gas prices are rediculous, unleaded was as high as 96.9P per litre in some places of Wales. However we did over 500 miles of driving and only had to fill up the car once before we left and on the day before we came back. Simple solution, dump your SUV or your pickup if you dont use them for their intended purpose. Too often i see these huge 4x4's on the 5 minute school run and it amazes me that these people are the ones who complain about fuel mileage. they only have 2 kids, so buy a freakin smaller car, or dont complain.

[eno]

Here's an interesting fact that came out of a conversation about BEER last night in the pub. (What's more expensive beer or petrol? answers on a postcard) now to the fact.

Here in the UK you're hit by a double whammy, did you know that the Law states that the accuracy of petrol pumps should be +/- 5%. With 99% of petrol pumps now being computer controlled what % of a litre do you think you're getting? Simple answer 95% ...... but you're paying for and tax on 100%.

[Hagar]

I assume petrol is more expensive than beer.* Internal combustion engines will run on alcohol so maybe they would run on beer. Hic.

I wonder how many people realise that there are two separate taxes on fuel in the UK. First the Fuel Duty at whatever percentage they care to set it at & then 17.5% VAT on top. This means that we're actually paying tax on the tax. The actual amount of tax per litre is not static but increases along with every price rise. The Chancellor can't lose.

*PS. I'm sure I got that wrong. Litres always confused me. What puzzles me is that people who complain about the price of petrol will happily pay far more for bottled water. Nowt so queer as folk.

[Jimbo]

The same when stamps go up by 1p...people complain massively...but you try taking a letter anywhere in the country, and see how far you can get for a price of a stamp! Eh? with fuel costs and train tickets!

P.s i i know this has nothing to do with fuel prices, but im just comfirming Dougs theory.

James

[commoner]

...hmm.....beer, water, petrol, in fact all services and commodities vary in price from store to store, petrol station to petrol station as you all know.....taking the case in point, petrol/gas that is, the thing that really bugs me is that petrol at my home village's petrol stations which are just 300 yards from each other is 88.9 at on and 91.9 at the other and the prices at both are well displayed.........NOW with all the fuss going on about the rising cost of fuel you would think the obvious would happen...ie one would get all the custom! Not so..there are just as many cars filling up at one as the other..........we consumers seem to be our own worst enemies...........I mean, with things like meat or fruit etc one could argue that the product is better. We all have our favourite pintas. Surely not with petrol..............commoner

[Hagar]

we consumers seem to be our own worst enemies...........I mean, with things like meat or fruit etc one could argue that the product is better. We all have our favourite pintas. Surely not with petrol..............commoner

You make a very good point. I've noticed the same phenomenon. I'm sure that most motorists have a preference for a certain make of petrol in the same way as for other commodities. They really believe that one gives better performance than another. This might be true in some cases but I discovered many years ago that they very often come from the same supplier, even the same petrol tanker.

[4_Series_Scania]

You make a very good point. I've noticed the same phenomenon. I'm sure that most motorists have a preference for a certain make of petrol in the same way as for other commodities. They really believe that one gives better performance than another. This might be true in some cases but I discovered many years ago that they very often come from the same supplier, even the same petrol tanker.

I always buy my petrol from the likes of Texaco or, Shell NEVER from the supermarkets!!!!

Why? most supermarket fuels are cheaper than Texaco et al, but, they scrimp on things like detergents in fuel (that help to keep your fuel lines clear...) not to mention sometimes suspect octane ratings.

I'll try to find a link with some more information.

For what its worth, my 2.8 engined BMW is much more responsive on high octane fuels, such as Shell Optimax, expensive but noticably better.

My truck gets the cheapest Diesel fuel my employers can locate all other factors are secondary to price......  ::)

I'd love to pay some of the prices quoted here guys! I have an 85 Litre fuel tank.....  :(

[alrot]

[quote]70 cents

[eno]

Another interesting point brought up in the pub conversation, (BTW beer is more expensive per litre.... but you don't need beer to keep your body going).

If we boycotted the two main fuel companies here in the UK (Texaco and BP) then they would be forced to reduce the prices of fuel.

I always buy my petrol from the likes of Texaco or, Shell NEVER from the supermarkets!!!!

Why? most supermarket fuels are cheaper than Texaco et al, but, they scrimp on things like detergents in fuel (that help to keep your fuel lines clear...) not to mention sometimes suspect octane ratings.

I'll try to find a link with some more information.

Those supermarkets are supplied by the same oil companies, ergo, Texaco, Shell and BP. The octane level is all that really matters in terms of performance and all unleaded in this country is 95 octane unless otherwise stated.

[Triple_7]

The octane level is all that really matters in terms of performance and all unleaded in this country is 95 octane unless otherwise stated.

Now you have brought up an interesting thing there Eno

If most unleaded in the UK is 95 octane...(is it like that all over Europe )...That could explain a little bit to the higher prices.  I usualy go with the 87 when I fill up here.  Today it is $2.75 a gallon.  But the 95 (only offered at 2 stations in this town) is $3.05 a gallon  Quite a difference in price.  Never thought to calculate that factor when comparing the 2

[legoalex2000]

chicago only tops at 93. you get 83, 87, or 93. i usually choose 87 becuase its no the best, but it's not the worst.

athough i switched to 83 when prices hit $2.80 regular.

Ramos

[Hagar]

I don't know much about the technical aspects so I did a little reasearch. As a matter of interest, I remember back in the early 1960s most light aircraft in the UK ran on 73 octane fuel. My motorbike used to run fine on this when I could get hold of it. For some reason 73 octane was done away with & the lowest octane available was then 80. I believe the commonly used Avgas is now 100LL (low leaded). Make of that what you will.

[quote]If most unleaded in the UK is 95 octane...(is it like that all over Europe )...That could explain a little bit to the higher prices.

[commoner]

...Further to my point re. guys buying from the dearer pump...one of those filling stations, the 88.9 one is a SHELL station........just 1 (ONE) mile from there is another SHELL selling at 92.9 per litre.......(Icould supply the names if neccessary)...so the better product should't enter the equation....commoner.

[Boeing727]

anyone know what the price of sailboat fuel is at?

lol  ;D

[eno]

...Further to my point re. guys buying from the dearer pump...one of those filling stations, the 88.9 one is a SHELL station........just 1 (ONE) mile from there is another SHELL selling at 92.9 per litre.......(Icould supply the names if neccessary)...so the better product should't enter the equation....commoner.

One will be a franchise ...... probably the more expensive one.