AM/PM versus Flying J for fuel

[Radshooter]

Hi guys... not trying to open a can of worms here. I already know the Flying J will probably have cleaner fuel due to the volume they move. Here's the BUT... Flying J is about 20 miles one way away from where I live. AM/PM is just around the corner, and I pass it twice a day to and from work. I worry about the cleanliness of their fuel though. Also, they are selling for $2. 19, while FJ (last time I was there) was $1. 79.

Is it worth the 40 mile round trip to get fuel from FJ? Other than buying fuel, I have no reason to be down in that area. I know AM/PM moves a lot of gas, but don't know about their fuel.



Thanks

Steve

 

[RankRam]

I recommend taking the drive to the flying hook! I stay away from places like the A&P's and mom and pop stores.



I wish I had a Flying J that close to me.

 

[Pawpaw]

I wish I had a Flying J that close, too. Well OK maybe I do, but there's a TA right around the corner. I like the Love's that is about 2 miles farther better.



Heck yes it's worth burning about 2 gallons to save $. 40 per gallon!



Go to http://www.flyingj.com/programs/index.html and sign up for one of their incentive cards. They're free and will knock off another penny a gallon.



Hey, every little bit helps!

 

[schu777]

I always fill up at the Flying J in Gretna, NE - most of the time I try to fill up when I'm going by it, but sometimes I have to drive the 36 miles there and back just to get fuel. The price is usually 10 cents cheaper than in town and I know the fuel is fresh too. I don't have an aux tank yet, but I take 4 - 5 gallon jugs along to help out on time timing of filling up. Another 20 gallons will get me another 300 miles of driving if not a bit more.



Take the time and effort and fill up at the Flying J - if the price is 40 cents different, doesn't take many gallons to make up the 40 miles!

 

[John - K5AWO]

Is it worth the trip?

... .

Is it worth the 40 mile round trip to get fuel from FJ? ... .

Steve

Steve,



I have been using AM/PM fuel almost exclusively. Their pumps stay busy so the fuel should be fresh. I have had to go elsewhere several times because their tanks were dry. No problems for me at all. I buy from the AM/PM at Gilbert Rd and Broadway in Mesa.



Flying J for me is at 63rd Av and I-10 west. 10 miles one way from work. Funny thing about them. Sign outside on street says $1. 890 and fuel from pump is $1. 739 ? Have always wondered why the policy is that way? My judgement call is the higher price is what the truckers have to pay because of road tax.



Another location that is cheap is at Lindsay and Ray Road in Chandler.



Is it worth the trip? Depends on how many gallons you buy obviously.



I made up a spreadsheet to make a judgement call easy. The constantly changing prices keeps you on your toes.



I will email the spreadsheet to anyone who wants it, drop me a line. As soon as I get my web hosting site prepared, I will put it up online.



-John

 

[trextoo]

Another good place is the Shell at Gilbert and Warner.

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks John. That is the same FJ I was talking about. I live up by I-17 and Deer Valley Road. My AM/PM is at 27th and Deer Valley. There are a few other AM/PMs in this neighborhood. Sounds like it is worth a shot. I try not to let my tank get much below half, so I don't buy a large volume at any one time. Eventually I want an auxillary tank, but we have a few more bills to pay off before that happens.



Trextoo... . thanks for the Shell info. I never know what neighborhood I will wind up in when I get lost, so it is good to know about different places.



Thanks guys



Steve

 

[DavidC]

Steve,



Sign outside on street says $1. 890 and fuel from pump is $1. 739 ? Have always wondered why the policy is that way? My judgement call is the higher price is what the truckers have to pay because of road tax.



-John

Yes it is road tax. If you use their website use the gasoline pricing instead of the diesel page. That will show you the non commercial price including diesel.



Dave

 

[RichardAndrews]

Thanks John. That is the same FJ I was talking about. I live up by I-17 and Deer Valley Road. My AM/PM is at 27th and Deer Valley. There are a few other AM/PMs in this neighborhood. Sounds like it is worth a shot. I try not to let my tank get much below half, so I don't buy a large volume at any one time. Eventually I want an auxillary tank, but we have a few more bills to pay off before that happens.



Trextoo... . thanks for the Shell info. I never know what neighborhood I will wind up in when I get lost, so it is good to know about different places.



Thanks guys



Steve

Steve there is a Texeaco just east of I-17 and Deer Valley Road So side of road, It does a lot of diesel sales. I think the price is better than AM-PM too. WILDMAN

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks Wildman... I will be on the lookout for it. We are still learning our way around the neighborhood.

Steve

 

[Lorenz]

as a side note AMPM is advertised as Low sulfer. fleetgaurd has a "solution" for low sulfer, don't know if it effects the 3rd gen isb fuel pumps.



http://www.fleetguard.com/fleet/pdfs/product_lit/fleetguard_brochures/LT15200.pdf?SMSESSION=NO



also arco in so cal gets there diesel from VP, a race gas company. i noticed it tends to be a little clearer with a blue tint to it?



I hate using AMPM because of thier $. 35 charge for using my ATM card, but they're usually the cheapest around here.



my 2 cents

 

[John - K5AWO]

Low Sulphur

as a side note AMPM is advertised as Low sulfer.

Keep the old engine oil from your CTD. Just dump a quart in each tank when you fuel up. That way the left pump and injection pump stay happy.



I have run as much as 50% engine oil to diesel fuel with no problems at all. Caveat, it is much hot hear in Phoenix. In the winter I stay below 25%.



-John

 

[Mad Bomber]

Where to buy?

We have a member in www.nwbombers.com that works for BP now who own Arco. NW Dave has said DON'T buy it at Arco even though he works there. Just a little food for thought.

 

[Chipstien]

Hey MB, what about the AM/PM in Fife that is set up for big rigs. I have been buying my diesel from there for almost 2 years with 0 problems. Did Dave say why?

 

[Mad Bomber]

Type

He said not a quality fuel and also said that the additives not good for a diesel. You might also want to ask him on NW Bombers he's always around.

 

[John - K5AWO]

We have a member in www.nwbombers.com that works for BP now who own Arco. NW Dave has said DON'T buy it at Arco even though he works there. Just a little food for thought.

I am wondering the why of that too. I used to work for Shell Oil and know for a fact that ALL of the fuel that comes into the Phoenix metro valley goes thru the SAME transportation system with one exception. Giant Refining has their own wells in the Four Corners area (used to be Shell Oil), their own refinery (Cineza, NM) and their own trucks to haul it. m (I serviced the microwave communications systems for the Four Corners, NM and West Texas from '79 to '91. )



All the other folks get their fuel from either the pipeline coming up thru Tucson or the one coming in from California (low sulphur winter fuel).



This same system is true for most retail areas that are hundreds of miles away from the refineries. Houston and Borger, Texas. They have their own refineries. Lived in Borger, Tx 10 yrs.



Albuquerque (13 yrs) where I used to live... . just a distribution terminal off a pipeline.



So, the only difference in the fuels is the blending agents after the fuel leaves the "raw fuel distribution terminals". The retail storage tanks is what you want to watch out for. But, like I mentioned earlier in a thread somewhere, if you buy from an AM/PM (or any retailer) that has a high throughput and they run out once or twice a month... . the chance of water in the fuel is pretty low. Anyway, the DOT requires that they change out the water filter in each pump on a regular schedule...



My 2 cents...



IMO, the only thing to make me not choose ANY brand is the price they are asking. You do need to be aware of where you buy it and if they have blended the fuel to be appropriate for the climate where you are. Any contamination is nearly always at the final point of sale. We should keep notes on these folks and stay away from them.

 

[John - K5AWO]

postscript... .



In areas where the source, the refineries are within trucking distance of the retailers... . the branded fuels nearly always stay segregated.



The mom and pops with a private brand purchase from a major distribution terminal, dump in their own colored blending agents and sell it under their own colors...