BRAZOS COUNTY, Texas - Putting gas in the car is something many people do without much thought. But stopping just anywhere out of convenience, or out of cheaper gas prices, could cost you a lot of money down the road.
"In the worst cases, it could end up requiring a valve job and that could be a very expensive repair," said Joe Wiesenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com.
He encourages people to stick with brand-name gas stations, also known as "top-tier" gas stations. Examples include Exxon, Shell and Valero.
"The main thing that top-tier gas monitors is the level of detergents and the quality of detergents in the fuel and that is the additive that helps prevent deposits," he said.
Simply put, top-tier gas stations are easier on your ride, help prevent clogs and enhance fuel economy.
Some stations that aren't affiliated with name-brand gas may not carry quality gasoline.
But is top-tier gas worth the extra change when it comes to drivers?
"I want to take as great of care of my vehicle as I can," said Amy Winn.
"You don't want trash in your tank," said Jerome Scott. " Like, if you get bad gas, you have to get a fuel pump, different fuel pumps, and it's pretty expensive if you get bad gas."
To see a full list of fuel providers that provide top-tier gasoline, click here.