Aside from groceries and other household items, Safeway is also a popular gas station chain in the United States, with over 280 gas stations across the country.
Given its widespread presence in several states, it’s natural for drivers to wonder if Safeway gas is good for their vehicles since Safeway sells gas at relatively cheap prices.
Well, according to available information, Safeway gas meets general quality standards and won’t cause any damage to your vehicle if you use it.
So if you were worried about the fuel quality and performance of Safeway gas, there is no need to worry as you are probably fine with using it on any type of vehicle that runs on gas.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the general quality of gas sold at Safeway. is the gas top tier? Where do they source their gas from? How does gas sold at Safeway compare to gas sold at other gas stations? Well, let’s find out.
Is Safeway Gas Good?
Safeway gas is safe to use on your car and it won’t cause any damage to your engine long term so while it may not be the best quality in the market, your vehicle will work just fine if you use it.
According to the automotive experts of the American Automobile Association (AAA), there is no such thing as “bad gas”, so regular Safeway gas will most likely not cause any harm to your car.
Safeway gas is approved by the Alliance of Automotive Innovation, which means it meets several quality and environmental standards for its gas. However, when compared to gas available at big-name petroleum companies like Shell, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and others, it may not be as good.
The quality of Safeway gas is not as high as that of other major petroleum companies, and it lacks the same level of fuel additives. According to a study by Consumer Reports, Top Tier gasoline, which has more fuel additives, is worth the extra price because it has fewer carbon deposits on injectors, intake valves, and in the combustion chamber than non-Top Tier gasoline.
Does Safeway Sell Top-Tier Gas?
Safeway does not sell top-tier gas at most of its gas stations across the country.
While Safeway sells regular and premium gas, it is not listed on the TopTierGas website which carries a list of gas stations in the United States that sell top-tier gas. The TopTierGas website is a recognized high-quality fuel performance standard developed by leading automotive and heavy-duty equipment manufacturers.
To find locations that sell top-tier gas, you can use the station finder tool on the TopTierGas.com website.
This tool helps customers locate licensed top-tier gasoline retailers that meet the rigorous fuel detergency performance requirements. All octane grades sold in each of the retail outlets, even if a Top Tier approved gasoline sticker is not found on the pump, must adhere to the top-tier standards.
So while Safeway does not sell top-tier gas, customers can still find top-tier gas at other locations. Using the station finder tool on the TopTierGas.com website, you can locate licensed top-tier gasoline retailers in your locality that meet the rigorous fuel detergency performance requirements.
Where Does Safeway Source Their Gas From?
Safeway gas stations source their gas from different companies, so it is quite impossible to say exactly where the company sources its gas from since there is no specific supplier.
That said, some Safeway gas reportedly purchase their gas from Williams Refinery and/or Tesoro Refinery, which are also the same companies that supply gas to gas stations chains like Shell and Chevron.
There have also been reports that Safeway sources regular, mid-grade gas from tank farms like Kinder Morgan, this is an unverified claim.
It is best to ask a representative at your local Safeway store if you want to know the source of their gas, although some Safeway stores may refuse to disclose this information.
It is worth noting that Safeway gas is not compromised in terms of quality despite sometimes being less expensive than other gas stations. Safeway does not promote the use of fewer or no additives in their gasoline, and this could be a contributing factor to the higher price.
Do Some Safeway Stores Use Chevron Gas?
There have been reports that some Safeway gas stations may purchase gas from the same suppliers used by Chevron in many of its locations. However, there is no concrete information to back this claim.
It is important to note that Chevron sells top-tier gas, while Safeway does not. Therefore, even if they purchase from the same supplier, the quality of gas may not be the same.
Costco Gas vs Safeway Gas, Which Is Better?
When it comes to gas quality, both Costco and Safeway meet general quality standards. However, Costco generally sells better gas than Safeway.
Costco sells top-tier gasoline in addition to regular and premium grades, while Safeway only sells regular and premium gas at most of its gas stations.
While Safeway gas is slightly cheaper than Costco’s, the cost difference is usually not significant enough to justify choosing Safeway over Costco.
In terms of fuel economy, both Costco and Safeway gas can provide similar results. However, top-tier gas, such as Costco’s, can help keep engines cleaner and improve fuel economy over time.
Overall, while Safeway gas is a decent option, Costco gas is generally the better choice due to its higher quality and lower prices. For those who are looking for the best gas for their car, top-tier gas is the way to go.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Safeway gas is a good option for driving within local distance, such as for fill-ups to and from a customer’s house or place of work, as customers won’t have to fill up their vehicles as often as truck drivers. Safeway offers a range of non-branded fuels at competitive prices, making it an economical choice for many drivers.
While the quality may not be as high as top-tier gasoline brands, Safeway’s gas is safe for use in vehicles and has met a variety of federal, state, and industry standards to create quality gasoline that is safe to use in your vehicle. However, it is not Top Tier certified, which comes as a shock to many.
We recommend putting the type of vehicle you own and your driving habits into consideration when choosing a gasoline brand. Ultimately, the decision to use Safeway gas or not depends on the individual’s preference and priorities.