Safeway gas

Has anyone else had problems at this station? We like to go there (the gas is cheap compared to other places), but about every other time we go, we either get a bum pump, or the pump gets bum partway through pumping and we have to switch pumps in the middle. Is anyone else experiencing these problems? We've also had issues with the credit card reader not working. When we've gone in to talk to the person at the station, he'll generally just move a cone in front of the pump, never really addressing the issues. We have taken to trying to get pumps that have never given us problems in the past. Again, I'm cheap, that's why we keep going back...

 

Go there alot and have never had any problems. Have seen the cones only a couple of times.

Please let me know when you usually visit so I can avoid that timeframe!

 

Well, now we know why they charge less for gas!

Seriously, though, we go there somewhat regularly and have never had problems.

 

We've been there numerous times with no problems. Have seen the cones a time or two at other pumps.

Good luck!

 

No problems with the pumps, but have had problems with the Safeway card numerous time.

 

I've run into problems at their pumps a couple times. Tried multiple VISAs at one and it wouldn't work. Drove to another pump, same thing. Went inside and the guy ran the VISA through with no problem.

Definitely something amiss with their card readers.

 

I've had several occassions were I experienced an uncooperative pump. Not sure what it is, but the auto shut off seems to be set very sensitive. I think the credit card process is cumbersome and complicated by the 3 cent discount process.

As for the help stuff. The worst!

 

Make sure when you run your Safeway and credit card thru very slowly when you do it...otherwise it can't read it.....

 

No problems here:
1. walk up to pump
2. type "yes"
3. enter phone number
4. type "enter"
5. select "credit"
6 select "93 octane"
7. fuel
8. watch the numbers spin to a gazzillion dollars (said like Dr. evil)
10. take receipt
11. roll out

 

neighbor - what car do you drive that requires 93 octane?

 

T8erman
2005 Volvo XC90. The owners manual states minimum 91 octane for best performance and operation. Can't remember if Safeway is 91 or 93, but I always go for the highest octane.

 

Yup all volvos require 93. should not have bought 2 of them lol

 

Many cars with high-horsepower engines instruct the driver to fill up with high octane fuel. Personally, I think the automakers and gas companies are in cahoots!!

In any event, I still use high octane fuel. I can tell a difference in performance. But, then again, I like to rev the engine a little when I drive on the expressway (but not on Claiborne, of course -- too many kids playing on the street). I guess if you don't exercise the horses in your engine, the difference between low and high octane fuel may be minimal.

 

Well I do know what happens if you run 87 in a volvo. The engine really does not like it. It will start pinging and power will drop significantly. Learned that the hard way. The dealer even told me that we can safely use less octane gas in both of our volvos but if we do that there will be power loss and a loss in engine efficency. So we just use 93 now

 

Interesting. I don't always pay attention but I never realized that. I have driven in about a dozen states with my own car (versus a rental, which I just fill up with the cheapest gas) and have always been able to use 93 (or 94) octane fuel. What areas of the US have these limitations? Just curious.

 

How do you like your new ride?

 

My Mini Cooper S requires 'High Test' ... I think its the compression ratio and the supercharger that forces its use.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

From http://theserviceadvisor.com/octane.htm

I THOUGHT GASOLINE WITH HIGHER OCTANE REDUCED ENGINE KNOCK?

It did in older engines using carburetors to regulate air/gas mix They cannot as accurately regulate the air/fuel mix going into the engine as a computerized fuel injector. Carburetors need adjustment, as a part of regular maintenance, to keep the air/fuel mix as accurate as possible. So many times, these adjustments were not made regularly causing too much fuel to be mixed with the air. When this happened the gasoline would not burn completely soaking into carbon deposits. This would cause a premature ignition of the gasoline due to the intense heat in the engine cylinder creating "engine knock." When this happened, people would change to the higher octane/slower burning gasoline to resist the premature burn, thus minimizing the knocking problem. And it worked. Good solution.

However, since the middle to late 80’s, engines are designed to use fuel injectors with computers to accurately control the air/fuel mix under all types of temperature and environment concerns. However the accuracy of the fuel injectors and computers is based on using the recommended gasoline for that engine.

Most cars are designed to burn regular unleaded fuels with an octane rating of 87. If the vehicle needs a higher octane rating of 89-93, there is documentation in the owner’s manual, as well as possibly under the fuel gauge and by the fuel fill hole. Usually you will see this rating for high performance engines only.

WHAT IF I PREFER TO USE GASOLINE WITH HIGHER OCTANE RATINGS?

You can, but there are no real benefits, other than the gasoline manufacturers making more money off of you. When you use a fuel with a higher octane rating than your vehicle requires, you can send this unburned fuel into the emissions system. It can also collect in the catalytic converter. When you over stress any system, it can malfunction or not do what it was designed to do properly. In the early 90's, an early warning symptom was a rotten egg smell from the tailpipe. Easy fix, go back to using regular 87 octane gasoline. The rude odor usually disappears after several tanks of gasoline.