Since the news hit this week that tainted gas from a BP fuel storage facility in northwest Indiana could be causing drivers to have problems with their vehicles, it seems BP had to scramble a bit to get a gauge on how bad the situation is. The company has churned out a few press releases in the last few days, and has now alerted customers and the media that about 200 retail gas outlets in Indiana and the Chicago area had a case of bad gas.

In the first few hours after the tale of bad gas spread, customers were having a hard time getting an actual BP representative on the phone, much less someone who would have the skill to address the situation. We must say since that point, the company has been trying to get a better handle on the tainted gas, as well as launching a web site for consumers with issues.

In the latest statement from a company spokesman, BP handed down the numbers of 200 retail outlets that were supplied with off-specification regular-grade gasoline, aka the stuff you’d likely fill up with, as well as 20 sites in the Milwaukee area:

The company continues to go through its shipping records and is contacting retailers who may have loaded tanker trucks with the off-specification fuel and is replacing it with on-specification product.

This fuel, sourced from BP’s Whiting, Indiana and Milwaukee, Wisconsin gasoline storage terminals, contained a higher than normal level of polymeric residue, which can lead to hard starting and other drivability issues.

BP has also established a second phone line for the processing of consumer claims in order to better assist those who believe their vehicle may have been harmed by using this fuel. Any consumer wishing to file a claim should save sales receipts, credit/debit card records and repair bills and should call 1-800-333-3991 or 1-800-599-9040 to speak to a claims representative. They can also access information and submit an online inquiry at www.bpresponse.com.

To date, 7,000 consumers have contacted BP regarding this matter.

BP stands by every gallon of gasoline we sell. We are committed to working with every affected BP consumer to remedy this situation. We will also cooperate with state regulators interested in the matter.

The gas was likely sold between Aug. 13 and Aug. 17, and can cause problems from could cause hard starting to stalling and other drivability issues.

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