Is Costco gas good? (top, who did it + more!)
Costco is known for offering great prices on tons of everyday essentials, including gas!
So, if you want to top up your gas tank at a reasonable cost, you might want to head to Costco. But first, you’ll want to know if Costco gasoline actually works.
I did a lot of research and this is what I found.
Is Costco gas good?
Costco’s own brand of Kirkland Signature gasoline is considered to be of superior quality and is “top” standard gasoline, meaning it far exceeds the U.S. government’s additive requirements. Plus, Costco sells gasoline a few cents per gallon less than its average competitor.
So, how much does it cost to buy premium gasoline at Costco? Why, exactly, are the prices so low?
I’ve put everything you need to know here, including costs, comparisons, cons, and other important info.
What is the price of Costco Gas?
Like all other gasoline prices, the exact cost of Kirkland Signature gasoline sold at Costco will vary based on several factors beyond the retailer’s control.
However, Costco is able to keep prices lower than other gas stations, regardless of price fluctuations.
According to a 2018 report, Costco’s gas costs average about 21 cents a gallon lower than its competitors’.
Other platforms report price differences closer to around 10 or 15 cents. Either way, the price per fill-up can add up to some serious savings.
Why are Costco gas prices so low?
The reason Costco is able to keep gas prices so low is because it charges membership fees to people who use it. Only Costco members can purchase Costco’s Kirkland Signature gasoline.
An individual membership costs between $60 and $120 per year, depending on the benefits you want.
Membership fees account for about 75% of Costco’s profits, allowing the chain to keep prices low on everything from gasoline to groceries.
But unless you regularly fill up your car at Costco, you’re unlikely to be able to afford the membership fee.
Obviously, to cover the membership cost, you’d have to fill up at Costco 35 or more times a year, assuming you only use your Costco membership for fuel.
Costco Gas with Shell, Mobil, Texaco, Chevron and Exxon
According to some Reddit threads, Costco gas is essentially the same quality as many gas companies, including Shell, Mobil, Texaco, Chevron, and ExxonMobil.
Additionally, some Reddit users believe that Costco buys natural gas from these refineries and rebrands it under its own Kirkland brand.
The only real difference between Costco Gas and Shell is that Costco adds fuel additives on site (to save money) instead of refinery fuel racks.
Additionally, Costco Natural Gas meets the same U.S. government additive requirements as Mobil, Texaco, and Shell.
Does Costco Gas have ethanol?
According to online reports, Costco 91 unleaded gasoline does not contain ethanol because it is a “premium” gasoline.
However, Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand gasoline does contain 10 percent ethanol, which meets The Energy Independence requirements.
Also, when refueling at Costco Gas, all pumps will add the blended fuel.
Is Costco Gas Bad For Your Car?
Costco gasoline will never ruin your car!
In fact, Kirkland Signature gasoline contains a high number of detergent additives that help to improve the quality of the gas in your car as well as the cleanliness of your engine.
This means it can be classified as a top-tier petrol.
Or to put it another way, Costco’s own-brand gasoline exceeds the minimum additive requirements set by the U.S. government’s Environmental Protection Agency.
AAA examines the difference between so-called top-tier gas and gas that meets only the government’s minimum requirements.
Additionally, they found that engines running on Top Tier fuel had an average 19-fold reduction in intake valve deposits.
Is Costco regular gasoline as good as premium gasoline?
Whether you buy regular gasoline or premium Kirkland Signature gasoline from Costco, you can be sure you’re filling your car with premium fuel.
All fuel sold at Costco gas stations contains above-average levels of detergent additives.
As a result, Costco’s premium and regular gasoline are both Top Tier compliant.
Other than that, the only difference between premium and regular Kirkland Signature gasoline is the octane rating.
Always fill with the octane rating specified in your car’s owner’s manual.
What other gas stations offer “top” gasoline?
Besides Costco, there are many other gas stations in the United States that sell Top Tier compliant fuel.
This refers to fuel that is of a higher standard than the U.S. government’s minimum requirements for fuel quality.
To better understand its exacting specifications, visit the Top Tier Gas website.
As of January 2020, some of the retail brands selling Top Tier fuel at their stations include:
- 76
- Arco
- bp
- Chevron
- Esso
- Mobil
- shell
- Texaco
- Wow
There may also be local convenience stores that sell Top Tier licensed fuel. So there are many different places you can buy certified premium fuel from in addition to Costco.
However, Costco’s price per gallon may be significantly lower.
Are Costco gas stations popular?
Yes, Costco gasoline is wildly popular — and it’s not hard to see why! Not only is Costco’s Kirkland Signature gasoline the highest quality, it’s also often the cheapest option.
In many ways, however, its popularity is its greatest shortcoming.
You will most likely have to wait in line to fill up your car with Costco fuel and wait a considerable amount of time. Costco is notorious for its gas station queues. You might even have to wait an hour!
However, you can always have the person in the car run over to the Costco warehouse to do any necessary shopping while you wait.
If you are interested in trying Costco Gas, don’t forget to read my post on Costco Cash Card, whether Costco gas needs to be swiped and Costco Gas business hours!
in conclusion
High Quality Kirkland Signature Gasoline for Sale at Costco Gas Stations and Excellent value for money.
The high levels of detergent additives in Costco’s premium and regular gasoline mean it meets stringent Top Tier performance standards.
And, it still manages to be pennies per gallon cheaper than many of its closest competitors.
The only downside to filling up your car with Costco gas is the long lines at the gas station and the fact that you have to pay an annual fee to use it.
However, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.
