| Tonight when I filled up, I started to wonder. I always filled up at my local Chevron stations that had three separate handles for the three different octanes. Recently, both the Chevron's in my area converted their pumps to a single handle pump which pumps all of the octanes through one hose. Since most people get regular unleaded, it would be fair to say that there is quite a bit of regular unleaded the line. I did some quick math and a 1.5" hose at 10ft long (which is already outside the pump) will hold .91 gallons of gas. So, even after you hit the 91 octane button, here in CA it will pump nearly 1 gallon on regular unleaded into your car. To add to it, since the hose enters the pump at the top of the machine, I assume that there is another 8-10ft of hose inside it before it gets to the valve that switches back and forth between octanes. That said, IMO you are getting about 1-1.5 gallons on regular 87 octane per use. God help you if you only put in $5. The Chevron's in my area are very convenient because they are close to my home and work, however I'm thinking about driving some extra miles just to fill up at a 76 station that still has separate hoses. So what's you POV. Filling up 11 gallons of 91 octane that include 1.5 gallons of regular 87? So how bad does it effect the octane level? BTW, Cali sucks (which everyone already knows). 
Regards,
Chuck
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Single handle gas pump vs. three handle pump. Octane Diff.? - 
