Does Sam’s Club Gas have ethanol? (and more FAQs!)
The Sam’s Club gas station has been my go-to gas station in recent years. While I’ve never been one to worry about the gas I put in my car, I’ve become more picky lately.
So I’m starting to wonder if the gasoline at Sam’s Club is top notch and if they have ethanol. Here’s what we found..
Does Sam’s Club Gas have ethanol?
Sam’s Club doesn’t specify whether their fuel contains ethanol. However, since most fuel sold in the US does contain about 10% ethanol, it’s safe to assume that Sam’s Club gasoline also contains ethanol.
This article explains Sam’s Club Gasoline: Brands, Quality, Who Can Buy It and If It’s Right for Your Vehicle.
Why is ethanol added to gasoline?
Currently, approximately 97 percent of all gasoline sold in the United States contains ethanol. There are three main types of ethanol gas to choose from: E85, which contains 85% ethanol; E10, which contains 10% ethanol; and E15, which contains 15% ethanol.
Ethanol, produced through the fermentation and distillation process, is blended with gasoline to create a cleaner mixture that reduces emissions to the environment.
This ethanol blend also keeps the car in better shape by boosting the fuel’s octane rating. This prevents “engine knock” and “drivability” (or smoothness and stability) of the car.
Ethanol is usually made from fermented corn and is found in most alcoholic beverages. The type of ethanol that is put into gasoline is not the same as regular alcohol ethanol. In order for ethanol to be suitable for use in cars, it must go to a separate refinery where it is blended with other chemicals. After this point, ethanol is no longer available for human consumption, but can be used in vehicles.
Ethanol is made from natural sources, burns slightly cleaner and emits fewer pollutants than the common gas itself, however, the ongoing debate about the sustainability and environmental impact of U.S. ethanol production continues.
Read: Can Sam’s Club track receipts?
Does Sam’s Club Gas have diesel?
Sam’s Club sells regular, premium and diesel fuel and accepts most major payment methods. However, almost all Sam’s Club gas stations are only open to Sam’s Club.
Gas prices at Sam’s Club stations are almost always lower than regular stations, ranging from 5 cents to 25 cents less per gallon. Members also report that gasoline prices at Sam’s Club stay lower for longer when general prices increase.
If you want to buy fuel from Sam’s Club, you need to register as a member. Annual memberships cost $45 for Club and $100 for Plus, both of which come with associated benefits, deals, savings, and rewards.
Your savings at the pump depend on how much you drive, how much gas you use and how often you plan to shop at Sam’s Club warehouses. The benefits of joining can be found on the Sam’s Club membership page.
What brand of gasoline does Sam’s Club sell?
Owned and operated by its parent company, Walmart, Sam’s Club sells its own brand of gasoline, hence the abbreviated name Sam’s Club brand.
Sam’s Club does not purchase fuel from a single oil company. Instead, Sam’s Club operates as an unbranded stand-alone gas station. Their gasoline, while not “top-tier,” is still reported to be of high quality, and Sam’s Club’s Customer Satisfaction Guarantee also applies to fuel sales.
In addition, Sam’s Club Corporation (like all fuel retailers) must comply with the basic guidelines of the US Government, EPA and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and other official regulations.
Read: Does Sam’s Club Have a Food Court?
Can customers find out which country or state the gasoline they purchased came from?
U.S. refineries use crude oil and other liquids produced in the U.S. (or imported from other countries) to produce gasoline and other petroleum products. Almost all gasoline sold in the United States is produced in the United States.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) cannot determine the exact origin of gasoline sold at gas stations. The gasoline that a company sells at its branded gas stations, such as Sam’s Club, is not necessarily made by the company.
Gasoline brands get mixed up in transit. That means the only difference between gasoline sold at one company’s gas stations and another’s is the small amount of additives that are mixed into the gasoline after it leaves the pipeline and before it reaches the gas station.
What is Top Natural Gas?
Top Tier gasoline is a brand-name fuel that has been treated with specific additives and detergents to help prevent and even reverse carbon buildup in your car’s engine.
Carbon buildup can cause a host of mechanical problems in your engine. However, while no car absolutely needs Top Tier gasoline, there are benefits to running the engine on premium fuel.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began mandating minimum levels of detergents in road vehicle gasoline in 1996. Tests show that vehicle emissions are getting cleaner, but after a few thousand miles, carbon buildup can cause pollution beyond acceptable limits.
Automakers are starting to look at the value of premium fuel they can recommend to customers and Improve the reliability of its car brand. In 2004, Top Tier was introduced to certify that fuel supplied by fuel companies met those companies’ standards. Top Tier qualification also applies to diesel fuel.
Should I buy Sam’s Club Gas?
According to Sam’s Club members, the main reason you want to fill up at a Sam’s Club gas station is that it’s so cheap compared to anywhere else.
The reason for these savings is that places like Sam’s Club (and Costco) can buy fuel in bulk from refineries. That means they save as wholesalers and then pass those savings on to consumers—in this case, their club members.
Sam’s Club natural gas, while not top-tier certified, is still a premium fuel supplied by company stations that follow proper laws and safety regulations.
It’s important to remember, though, that Sam’s Club gas stations can get very busy: avoid busy times if lines are not your thing.
You cannot pay for fuel at Sam’s Club with cash. They only accept cards (all major credit cards) and contactless payments, any Sam’s Club card, Sam’s Club Scan & Go app, or Walmart rewards cards.
No gas after closing, and Sam’s Club gas stations are not open 24/7. It’s a good idea to check the hours of operation of a gas station before going to a Sam’s station, as hours vary from state to state.
summarize
Sam’s Club gasoline does contain ethanol, but nearly all fuel sold in the United States contains ethanol.
Sam’s Club did not specify how much ethanol was in the fuel they sold, nor did it disclose details on where the fuel came from.
However, members of Sam’s generally agree that the fuel is reliable and affordable.
