13 Gas Brands That Could Be Hurting Your Car

When we fill up our car with gas, we don't think about where we get that gas from or what it will do to our cars. However, there are arguments that cheaper gas brands can seriously damage your vehicle and its engines. Even some more expensive brands do the same.

Damage to your car can decrease its lifespan and potentially increase visits to the garage. However, if you opt for a “Top-Tier” gas brand with more additives in the mixture, you won't have to worry.

This list contains 13 gas brands in the United States that could profoundly affect your car. Some are worse than others, but we've selected them all as they are on the lower-quality side of gas brands and fail to meet high standards.

BP

Of all the gas brands you expected to see on this list, we don't think BP was one of them. Yet frustratingly, this “premium” brand does fall short, as does its sister brand Amoco, and ranks as two of the worst in the United States, according to automotive writer and EVhype founder Rob Dillan.

Both brands lack the crucial additives that help protect your engines and ensure they last as long as possible. As a result, both brands are not Top-Tier, and you might even see decreased efficiency compared to some other gas brands. BP is one to steer clear of.

Pilot Flying J

One of the more obscure gas brands in the United States is Pilot Flying J. Its obscurity is due to two factors. Firstly, the gas station has only around 750 locations across both the United States and Canada. Secondly, it caters mainly to trucks, as truck stops make up most of its locations.

As a result, the quality of gasoline is lower than what the vast majority of our cars would require. So, it is best that motorists avoid Flying J gas stations and leave these gas stations for the truck drivers to use.

Sheetz

Sheetz is one of the worst gas brands you can use in the United States, not just because of its slightly amusing name. The red gas stations are located throughout the United States, mainly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.

According to The Kanso, one of its advantages is that Sheetz is a cheap gas brand to buy from. It makes it a good option for those on a budget or if you want a quick, cheap fill-up to get you home. However, as with other brands, that cheapness comes with issues. Detergent additives used in their gas can seriously stifle your engine, but to its credit, Sheetz is at least trying to get its gas from some of the larger and more dependable refineries.

KwikTrip/KwikStar

The KwikTrip chain of gas stations is some of the most interesting. The brand claims its gas complies with Top-Tier standards, but the reality is far different.

In early 2022, KwikTrip suddenly started removing its Top-Tier certification stickers from its gas stations, and customers noticed their absence from their pumps. It turned out the gas station chain was facing a shortage of additives from its usual supplier, although the brand is hoping to rectify this problem and put it behind them.

Circle K

Circle K is a famous convenience store and one of North America's most prominent and best-known gas brands. It has been part of the United States fabric since the early 1950s. However, its days as a Top-Tier gas brand look to be over for now.

Despite presenting itself well, Circle K has lost its Top-Tier certification. EVhype founder Dillan said that the brand often has various deposits in its gasoline, which could cause your engine to suffer reduced mileage and efficiency. As of the time of writing, Circle K is still not back in the top tier.

Unbranded Gas Stations

The vast majority of gas stations in the United States have their own name or brand associated with them. But there is a smattering of unbranded, independent gas stations. Most are found in smaller towns and more rural areas, and they can often offer cheaper gasoline than their bigger rivals.

The issue here, though, is that it's not entirely clear where they get their gasoline from. It is a bit of a lottery as to what these gas stations are selling you, so unless you need a top-up to get home, it's best to be wary of the unbranded gas stations.

RaceTrac

Another of the most recognizable gas station brands in the United States is RaceTrac. The brand's gas stations, which mostly have convenience stores, are primarily located in the southeastern region.

Their placement on this list shows that RaceTrac does not rank in the Top-Tier category. Their problem is the same as many other brands on this list: a lack of additives and poor-quality gasoline. Alarmingly, RacTrac gasoline can cause drivers to stall their engines, and some have gone as far as to pay mechanics to remove it from their cars.

Amoco

Having mentioned BP's sister brand, it is only fair that we discuss Amoco and its poor-quality gasoline. EVhype founder Dillan also discussed the brand and said that despite its high profile, it regularly needs to meet customer expectations.

Lower-quality additives are common, as shared with the parent company BP. Dillan says that thanks to these additives, vehicle engines can become dirty and suffer from a buildup of carbon deposits. With it following whatever BP does, Amoco will unlikely improve its product anytime soon.

Murphy USA

As far as convenience goes, Murphy USA's gas stations are some of the most convenient for any motorist to use. There are over 1,500 Murphy gas stations in America, all located next to Walmart stores. However, grocery store gas stations are often some of the worst, not just in America but across the globe.

All grocery or supermarket gas stations suffer from lower-quality additives in their gasoline, bringing the quality of the product down. It's for those reasons that grocery store gasoline is often so cheap,

Safeway

Safeway is another famous gas brand in America, thanks to its convenience. You can regularly find a Safeway next to one of the company's grocery stores, meaning you can pick up your shopping and then head off to the gas station instantly.

But Safeway gasoline can cause all sorts of buildup issues within the engine, potentially leading to severe problems. It's another reason to avoid grocery store gas chains, as you are never sure what you will get at each one.

Love's

Of all the gas stations on this list, Love's is the brand with the most conflicting names. While it suggests it will look after your car, the reality is far from the truth, as EVhype founder Dillan once again explains.

The automotive expert states that it's yet another gas brand that lacks high-quality additives in its gas. This can lead to fouled fuel injectors and a decrease in engine efficiency, which is hardly an issue that anyone wants to deal with.

Sam's Club

Sam's Club is another of the biggest names in the United States' gas station world. Sam's Club prices a lot of its gasoline, which is very competitive, making it a compelling choice from many of the other options available in town. But once again, using this particular brand of gasoline could seriously hurt your car.

EVhyper founder Dillan once again explains that severe engine issues can occur after using Sam's Club gas stations. The cheapness of their product is incredibly tempting, but it's best to shop around a little bit.

Speedway

Speedway is one of the most interesting gas station brands in the United States. It's gone through several ownership changes over the years, the most recent occurring in 2021 when it became a part of the 7-Eleven Inc. group.

Despite the ownership change, it hasn't reversed its fortunes, and the brand is nowhere near being a Top-Tier gasoline seller. According to 24/7 Wall St, Speedway has simply failed to introduce enough additives to its gasoline to protect engines and keep them clean. Out of all the brands on this list, though, it's one of the better ones.