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'Buc-ee's Gave Me 448 Miles': Man Fills Up. He's Sure This Gas Lasts Longer. It's Not Just Him

"Glitch in the system."

Man fills up on gas. Then he sees how long it will last him
Photo by: idk.wtf.im.doin.h & Ali Mkumbwa

Are there some gas stations that give you more mileage than others? It may seem like a crazy idea, but many people insist it’s true.

In a video with over 536,000 views, TikTok user Quin (@idk.wtf.im.doin.h) shows himself in the driver’s seat of what appears to be a Nissan Altima.

“Boy, there’s got to be a glitch in the system right here,” he starts.

He then shows his dashboard. His expected range is 516 miles.

“I don't know what gas station I just went to, but, boy, I'm going back,” Quin continues.

In the overlay text, he writes, “Just went to the best gas station on planet earth.”

Can Some Gas Stations Give You More Mileage Than Others?

In the comments section, some users were quick to claim that, yes, certain stations provide longer-lasting gas than others.

“I noticed certain gas stations gas last longer than others,” wrote a user.

“Buc-ee's gave me 448 miles,” added another. “When I go anywhere else I barely crack 300.”

But is this even possible?

Technically speaking, it’s possible for gas from different stations to produce slightly different fuel economy—though the difference is not as pronounced as some claim.

For example, if you go to a station that uses E-10 fuel, which is a mix of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, you can expect to burn about 3% more fuel per mile than normal gasoline. This, in turn, lowers your expected range.

Next, there can be slight differences in fuel economy based on where and when you fill up. Experts note that summer gasoline contains about 1.7% more energy than winter gasoline.

In summary, if you fill your car up in winter with E-85, then again in summer with normal gasoline, you shouldn’t be surprised if you see significantly different ranges.

Gallery: 2025 Nissan Altima

 

Is That The Only Reason For The Range Difference?

All that said, Quin probably isn’t seeing such a big difference in range due to these minor changes.

Nissan says that its “estimated range” is a calculation made from recent fuel economy, the amount of fuel remaining, and actual fuel consumption. Consequently, changes in driving patterns, idling, terrain, weather, vehicle weight, and more can all influence the expected range.

If one has driven their car in ideal conditions for long enough, the range will be calculated as though those ideal conditions will continue.

Furthermore, it should be noted that this range isn’t absurd for a Nissan Altima, especially of that generation. Edmunds states that the car can get an estimated 32 MPG highway with a 20 gallon tank. This means that its highest possible range is 640 miles, well below the 516 mile range seen by Quin.

How Can I Improve My Car’s Range?

If you want to improve fuel economy, you don’t need to find a magic gas station. Instead, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure you use as little fuel as possible. 

It all comes down to the way that you drive. While driving, you should accelerate gently, then coast to decelerate. The harder you accelerate, the more fuel your engine uses. And when you use the brakes, the energy your car has used is wasted. By planning out your acceleration and deceleration, you can save a decent amount of gas.

You can also save gas by avoiding driving at high speeds. Many cars are at their most fuel efficient at moderate speeds. If you maintain a steady pace, your fuel economy will be even better.

Finally, proper car maintenance can help your car’s fuel economy. This means maintaining correct tire pressure, replacing filters, and, in general, taking good care of your vehicle.

What do you think?

If you follow these tips, you’re likely to significantly improve your fuel economy — making that “516 miles left” notification a more common sight on the dashboard.

We’ve reached out to Quin via TikTok direct message and comment.

 

 

 

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