https://www.consumerreports.org/cars...e-a7682471234/

I use Costco myself.

 

I fixed the link, but it's most likely hokum. Top tier gasoline is snake oil. 🐍

 

Many years ago I had never heard of Top Tier gasoline, then saw it advertised at several stations. I was happy to see that Costco and Quik Trip both had Top Tier and were more affordable than many other brands.



Top Tier gas is a premium, high-detergent gasoline standard designed to reduce engine deposits, improve performance, and maintain fuel efficiency better than EPA-mandated minimums. It was established by major automakers (BMW, GM, Toyota, Honda, etc.) to combat engine gunk, with studies showing 19 times fewer intake valve deposits compared to non-Top Tier fuel.

 

top-tier gas is definitely a real thing.
it also comes down to how the pump operators treat their set up

have you ever gone to a pump that seems like it takes an hour just to get 5 gallons?
yeah that’s a station that hasn’t changed their filters in years.

I spoke to a buddy of mine who works in marketing at Sunoco, there’s a lot of things that make top-tier gas different

 

Yes, it is an actual standard that has to be met, think Dexos for oil. Coop had to tweak their diesel formula to meet the spec. I delivered the stuff, my Olds likes Coop 91 non ethanol top tier the best. It also depends on how much premium a station sells. I think our local Shell sells much less premium than the Coop. The trucks and the pumps both have filters, so it should be clean.

 

Top Tier is a thing. If you're not using a Top Tier fuel brand regularly, it's good practice to add a bottle of Chevron Techron or similar detergent additive at least every oil change. Even a bottle of STP gas treatment helps, along with a few hard acceleration runs once in a while.

https://www.toptiergas.com/gasoline-brands/

Around here TT fuels are the same price per gallon as non-TT and sometimes cheaper, so no reason to not use them.

 

I wonder what kind of engine was used in that test, direct or port injection?

 

All I can say is that around here, the "top tier" grade runs close to a dollar more a gallon than the bottom of the line grade. My 9:1 1969 350 2bbl runs just fine on the cheapest grade regular I can find.

 

For modern GDI engines it is a must. As far as older cars and small engines I personally believe that the main benefits are not octane but how the fuel acts long term. I constantly hear of people having issues with storing lawn mowers etc even for a few months and then having to rebuild the carburetors etc because the gas has gummed them up ? I have been using Shell gas almost exclusively for probably 30 years now ? During that time I have only had that happen one time and that was when my snowblower sat almost 5 years without running. Otherwise everything I own generally starts on the first of second pull. Most of it sits from late October until March or so. No Stabil, no draining fuel etc. I might be wrong but I think it is because of the better quality fuel.

 

Consumer Reports is no more than paid advertising. Anything from a pump is garbage, especially that "91" crap west of the Mississippi.

 

Can you find leaded gasoline where you're at? I thought "regular" meant "unleaded." 🤔

Top tier is just a marketing ploy to get people to buy more expensive gasoline from low volume stations. Watch out for water in their tanks if you drive a diesel truck or Oldsmobile!

 

I have never had a problem with ethanol in fuel, I regularly use a bit of Marvels in my lawnmower and snowblower gas. At the end of the season I run them dry as I add more and more Marvels as it runs out of fuel. Come spring, or early winter they start right up with some nice smoke. I did acquire a practically brand new mower being thrown out because the previous owner did allow the carburetor to get gunked up. A bit of carb cleaner and either, I had it running good in around twenty minutes.

 

That is not how I understand it. There are specs that must be met to qualify for Top Tier status. Our local Coop and many others are usually the high volume stations in our area. Our local Coop is drowning. Basically the grocery stores and fuel sales, pumps and bulk, keep it a float. Here is the Lake Speed Jr talking about Top Tier gas. They are all somewhat different, even within Top Tier. Additives are another rabbit trail. I think additives have their place for fuel and oil, others will disagree.

 

This guy uses scientific method to determine results.

 

Except here the Top Tier gas is sold at high volume stations for either the same price as non-Top Tier gas or for a slightly lower price at the VERY high volume outlets (COSTCO, Quik Trip, etc).

 

Here, Costco is top tier and the cheapest in price.

 

I didn't realize BP fell from grace and is no longer considered a top tier fuel.

 

Here's a timely article on TOP TIER gasoline and the need (or not) for these additives. Take note that more additive is not always better and TOP TIER blends today are primarily aimed at GDI engines, not older TBI or carb engines. Be informed, make your own choices.

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog...sarily-better/

 

I love how those under-valve cover photos of oil-soaked valve springs and rockers is suppose to inform me of the effects of detergent in gas have on the cleanliness of the back side of the intake valves.

 

Never heard of Curbside Classic before. I find Project Farm videos informative and objective.

I generally put E10 Walmart or Sam's Club gas in my daily driver (not Top Tier). I only use 100% gas for my 71. I only use high volume stations with B10 or B20 for my 86 Ford diesel. The problem with Top Tier gas is that the formulation is proprietary. There's no way to tell how much of that snake oil your getting when you pay for Top Tier fuel.

 

Whatever the base stock or additive package is, it's going to cost more. 87 here went up 45 cents/gallon between Sunday afternoon 3/1 and yesterday afternoon 3/2.

Not like that oil currently in the tank farm or station tanks was just pumped out of the sand or blockaded yesterday either.😠

Top Tier or not, when the cost of fuel goes up, the cost of everything else follows.

 

They actually have a lot of interesting topics that they cover. Mostly it's unusual cars, but often they have technical topics like this. I've been getting their email drops for a number of years now.