Pemex is a popular Mexican gas staion.
Americans who live near the border to Mexico, especially in California, have one advantage over the rest of us. They can easily go into Mexico to fill up their gas tanks for much less than what it costs in the U.S.
CNN.com reports that it only costs about $3.10 for a gallon of gas in Tijuana, Mexico, while the same gallon will cost about $4.60 just north of the border in the U.S. The savings amount to $30 on a 20-gallon fill-up.
While saving $30 or $40 on a tank of gas is fantastic right now, especially with the rising cost of groceries as well, there is a downside of filling up the tank in Mexico.
Mexican gas is made with a different formula which has more sulfur in it. This formula could hurt your car in the long run, according to Stephen Mazor with AAA’s Automotive Research Center.
Mexico’s fuel mixture can ruin the emission control equipment on American cars and cause them to fail emissions tests.
"Then (you) have to spend a lot of money to repair your car because of the effects of that gas," he said.
For many cash-strapped Americans though, doing anything to save money on gas right now, like filling up in Mexico, is their only option.
