Beware These Gas Stations: Local Fuel One Cited for Misleading Fuel Octane

A Fuel One gas station on Route 1 South in Avenel was one of 14 gasoline stations in four counties cited for selling fuel advertised at a higher octane level than what it actually contained.

The NJ Office of Weights and Measures (OWM), headquartered in Avenel, in conjunction with 13 county OWMs, tested 325 gas stations over a two-week period and found that while the majority of gas stations were in compliance, the 14 in question were not.

Five of the gas stations were in Middlesex County, in Edison, North Brunswick, Piscataway, and Avenel. 

"With the holiday travel season here, New Jersey's consumers will be filling up their gasoline tanks. With some stations charging over $4 per gallon for premium grade gasoline, we want to ensure that consumers are getting their money's worth," said Thomas R. Calcagni, Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in a statement.

When octane levels are too low, it can leading to a 'knocking' sound in the engine, and in severe cases lead to significant engine damage, such as broken connecting rods, melted pistons, or other damaged components. The risk is especially great with high-performance vehicles for which the manufacturer recommends a higher octane fuel. 

The 14 gas stations were charged with violations of either the state's Motor Fuels Act, which can cost $1,500 for a first violation, and up to $3,000 for subsequent violations, as well as a 5-to-30 day license suspension, or the Weights and Measures Statute, which carries fines from $250 to $1,000 for the first violation, and fines between $1,000 and $5,000 for subsequent violations.

The gas stations cited were:

In Middlesex County:

• Edison Fuel Stop, 690 Route 1 North, Edison, NJ 08817
• Fuel One Inc., 869 Route 1 South, Avenel, NJ 07001
• Fuel One Inc., 279 Route 1 South, Edison, NJ 08817
• North Brunswick Express Fuel, 483 Georges Rd., North Brunswick, NJ 08902
• PAK Petroleum Citgo, 1614 Stelton Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854

In Bergen County:

• US Gas / Mmarmab LLC, 90 Hackensack Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601

In Camden County:

• Citgo, 302 South Black Horse Pike, Blackwood, NJ
• Jessie's Gulf, 720 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, NJ 08107
• Runnemede Extra, 405 E., Clements Bridge Rd., Runnemede, NJ 08078
• US Gulf, 1200 Route 73, Pennsauken, NJ 08110

In Gloucester County:

• Glassboro Lukoil, 100 Delsea Dr., Glassboro, NJ 08028
• Gurbittha Gas LLC Lukoil, 500 North Broad St., Woodbury, NJ 08096
• Mantua Pike Lukoil, 897 Mantua Pike, Woodbury
• US Gas / Bahadur Singh, Inc., 724 Delsea Dr., Malaga, NJ 08324