IT'S OKAY TO GO LOW.

Yes. It's okay to go with the lowest price at the pump. You'll save a couple bucks a tank, and at the same time, it's not like your car is gonna care.

    HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?

    Literally the lowest. Just look at the prices and pick the lowest one. The only people who need to pick premium gas are the ones who drive, like, Lamborghinis. But, if you drive basically any other vehicle built after 2001, go ahead and get the cheap gas. Keep scrolling to find out why it doesn’t really matter.

    Find a Fuel

    Questions? 
    We’re glad you asked.

    What’s the difference between 88 (E15) and 87 (E10)?

    Unleaded 88 (E15) and Unleaded 87 (E10) are both money friendly and mileage friendly. The only difference is the exact amount of ethanol in the blend. Unleaded 88 is made with up to 15% ethanol (E15), while Unleaded 87 is made with 10% ethanol (E10). The more ethanol in the fuel, the higher octane it has, so that’s why Unleaded 88 gets the bigger number at the pump.

    Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center

    Can my car use ethanol?

    Nearly all cars, trucks and SUVs on the road today can run on Unleaded 88 (E15) and Unleaded 87 (E10) — so yeah, chances are yours can too! In fact, most of the gasoline sold in the U.S. contains some amount of ethanol.

    Source: FuelEconomy.gov

    How does corn become ethanol?

    Fermentation is the most common method for converting plant starches and sugars into ethanol. During fermentation, microorganisms metabolize the plant matter, and as a result, produce ethanol. That ethanol is then blended with gasoline.

    And guess what? One of the most abundant sources of plant matter used in this process is found right here in South Dakota: Corn.

    Source: Department of Energy

    Is this stuff friendly for the environment?

    Ethanol fuels, like Unleaded 88 (E15) and Unleaded 87 (E10), have a proven track record of cutting greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. According to the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, they decrease emissions by 44 to 52% compared to regular gasoline. Researchers from Harvard, MIT and Tufts concluded pretty much the same thing with an average reduction of 46% compared to gasoline.

    Source: Renewable Fuels Association

    What does ethanol do for my mileage?

    When it comes to mileage, there’s basically no difference between gasoline with an ethanol blend and regular gasoline. But when you consider the price, you will go farther per dollar with blended fuel.

    Source: FuelEconomy.gov

    Does ethanol increase the price of food?

    No. Using corn for ethanol does not have a significant impact on food prices. Critics of biofuels promote a theory that ethanol “eats up” food supplies, but the truth is that the increasing demand for biofuels helps farmers to invest in efficiencies to better utilize existing cropland, allowing them to supply more food and energy. Ethanol production only utilizes the starch in each kernel, while the rest of the fat, fiber and protein goes into animal feed in the form of distillers grains. This by-product creates one of America’s largest sources of animal feed which in turn shows up in the grocery store in the form of meat products such as hamburger, steak and bacon.

    Source: Growth Energy

    Is ethanol the same thing as biofuel?

    All ethanol is biofuel, but not all biofuels are ethanol. Ethanol is a type of alcohol that can be blended with gasoline and burned in modern engines. While ethanol is typically made from plant matter, biodiesel, another type of biofuel, can be made from vegetable oil, animal fat, and even used restaurant grease. It is not blended with gasoline.

    Source: Energy.gov

    Wait. Why are there two 87 buttons?

    At a few gas stations in South Dakota, you might see two buttons labeled “87” at the pump. Even though they have the same number on the button, only one of them has ethanol (E10), and the other is regular gasoline with the same octane rating. Which is which? The one with ethanol (E10) is also the one with the lowest price.

    A few words from
    those who go low.

    “As a teacher, I’m always looking for ways to save money. I commute 70 miles to work per day and have for the last seven years. I always choose ethanol because it is less expensive and saves my family money. Plus, I’ve never had any problems with my car when using this type of gas.”

    Amy Clark, Colman
    2016 Chevy Equinox

    “Because I drive 400 miles per week on average as a realtor, I’ll use anything with ethanol as it is a bit cheaper and I never notice a difference trying premium of any type.”

    Shawn Giedd, Rural Beresford
    2015 Ford F-150 / 2019 GMC Terrain

    “I commute 100 miles each week and gas up with an ethanol blend of at least 10%. Just 16 gallons saves me $8.80, and I have not had any problems with using it. As a rural veterinarian, I also think it’s great to support farmers and it produces byproducts that can be used as feed for livestock.”

    Elise Reinalda, DVM, Beresford
    2004 Toyota Camry