Just like battery manufactures, oil and air filters etc.. Not to mention washer/dryers and allot of appliances. But this here's about gas!
Top Tier gas....Do you use it?
- Thread starter coltle6920
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Just like battery manufactures, oil and air filters etc.. Not to mention washer/dryers and allot of appliances. But this here's about gas!
Remember.....
Remember those high compression cars that wouldn't run well on anything except what was just next to aviation fuel?
Ping, knock, funny noise.
I had a Bobcat (Pinto) one time that in order to get better mileage they turned the sparks high as a kits. You couldn't accelerate without knocking like a drum roll.
Those were VERY CRUDE attempts at high mileage cars.
Remember those high compression cars that wouldn't run well on anything except what was just next to aviation fuel?
Ping, knock, funny noise.
I had a Bobcat (Pinto) one time that in order to get better mileage they turned the sparks high as a kits. You couldn't accelerate without knocking like a drum roll.
Those were VERY CRUDE attempts at high mileage cars.
5Wire
Member
Top Tier includes 87 Octane (regular) as well as the higher octanes. The Top Tier is defined by additives, not by grades.
The cheaper and more generic the gas the better my Ford Edge runs. It's got 161,000 on it.
DeathGrip
US Veteran
But this here's about gas!
Sometimes you need Pepto when you've had to much Petro.
I had never head of it till this thread, we have many of the suppliers listed in post #37 I have seen some advertise their additives ex. Chevron mentions techron and others.
I usually use Walmart 87 in my Tacoma 2011 never heard it knock or had any problem. In outboards, mowers, chainsaws, etc I use premium non ethanol which is readily available around here.
I usually use Walmart 87 in my Tacoma 2011 never heard it knock or had any problem. In outboards, mowers, chainsaws, etc I use premium non ethanol which is readily available around here.
Just curious, but do you have any supporting documentation that shows chain stores must sell only gasoline which comes from the selfsame refineries?
Otherwise, my snarky remark stands.
Edit: Okay, just so we don't get into an argument, my point is this... Unless you're willing to follow the supply chain all the way back to the refinery, there's no telling exactly what you're getting. You could be getting Top Tier gas from Turkey Hill, or non Top Tier gas from that Valero station.
Further Edit: In my area, virtually all of the stations are supplied by a very, very small handful of family owned and operated businesses which have no brand affiliation that I'm aware of. With one notable exception: Sheetz. All their delivieries come from Sheetz-branded tankers. I have no idea what refinery their gas comes from, or whether its actually Top Tier formulated. What I do know is I've never had an engine become unusuably handicapped from the use of non TT gas.
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But... BUT... Did you not see those intake valves?! Do you not want to squeeze every last bit of performance out of your engine? Aren't the added benefits worth your money, sir?
My owner's manual says nothing about Top Tier gas. If Subaru of America doesn't think it's required for long service life in their flat fours, I couldn't care less for the stuff.
Perhaps we should ask the owners of 250k+ mile Subies (and other generally long-lived cars) if they care whether their gas is "Top Tier" or not.
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Boudiepitbull
Member
So it appears that the difference is in detergent cleaning qualities. Virtually all the gasoline available to me where I live is already listed as being top tier making this whole thing a mute point. Regardless of that I still use fuel injector cleaners from time to time, especially in the first few tank fulls on each motorcycle after sitting all winter even though I use a fuel stabilizer in them before I put them away. My favorite choice of snakeoil fuel additive for that is generally Seafoam. What does everyone else prefer for cleaning fuel injectors and valves?
kwselke
Member
Just like battery manufactures, oil and air filters etc.. Not to mention washer/dryers and allot of appliances. But this here's about gas!
Yah, I live in Houston and had beans and rice for lunch too.
DWalt
Member
I don't know of any "Top Tier" gasoline, but the largest grocery chain in Texas (H-E-B) also has gas islands at some of its stores. You can add additives at extra cost through their gasoline dispensers. You punch a button on the dispenser to do it. I never have, probably never will. I'd think that about all the gasoline sold in Texas comes from a handful of refineries. Those refineries sell to anyone and everyone, but Exxon, Shell, etc. may require certain additive blends for gasoline sold in their stations. I see Chevron stations advertising that their gasoline contains "Techron." I have no idea what Techron is or does.
OP
coltle6920
Member
One example in particular was Costco club members.If you can get a significant savings where you buy gas and then use an additive then it can be a better deal.
Never heard of Top Tier....
but then, I live in IOWA where all of our auto fuel is Ethanol.....the politicians get rich forcing us to use this "alternative fuel" so the farmers can get more for their CORN (the big crop in IOWA).
but then, I live in IOWA where all of our auto fuel is Ethanol.....the politicians get rich forcing us to use this "alternative fuel" so the farmers can get more for their CORN (the big crop in IOWA).
Never heard of Top Tier....
but then, I live in IOWA where all of our auto fuel is Ethanol.....the politicians get rich forcing us to use this "alternative fuel" so the farmers can get more for their CORN (the big crop in IOWA).
Huh? Did you even look at the list of stations? Top Tier has nothing to do with Ethanol or not.
Nearly all stations in Iowa you have the choice of 10% Ethanol or non-Ethanol
Some stations OFFER E85, even fewer have blender pumps.
Minnesota requires all gas to contain 10% Ethanol, Iowa does not.
Not sure if there are any stations that aren't Top Tier around me. They all cost the same anyway. And I use non-ethanol when I can find it. After some searching I found one about 15 miles away from home. My Corvette gets the good stuff.
OP
coltle6920
Member
It amazes me that a lot of you are under the impression that "Top Tier" is a brand of gas.It's just a description of the quality you can expect.
I buy gas at a King Soopers market near me. I know it's Top Tier because at the pumps (under the market's name) is the Shell Oil emblem.Another station that was called "Triple K" is under the control of Phillips 66/Conoco so the sign you see at the street curb is not always indicative of the gas they sell.
A lot of automobile manufacturers don't recommend Top Tier gas per se but if you check your owners manual and a particular brand of gas is recommended the chances are that it is a Top Tier gas anyway.
I buy gas at a King Soopers market near me. I know it's Top Tier because at the pumps (under the market's name) is the Shell Oil emblem.Another station that was called "Triple K" is under the control of Phillips 66/Conoco so the sign you see at the street curb is not always indicative of the gas they sell.
A lot of automobile manufacturers don't recommend Top Tier gas per se but if you check your owners manual and a particular brand of gas is recommended the chances are that it is a Top Tier gas anyway.
BOMBTEC
US Veteran
It really won't work in my VW TDI. But 41 mpg it's a keeper. But my V-10 FORD F250 just likes high test. So I feed her what she runs on best.
5Wire
Member
That's the wrong question. It's additives" and other standards AFTER refining.
All the evidence you want is at the link for the TOP TIER™
There are specific Performance Standards to which TOP TIER™ rated products must adhere.
Sample:
I buy what's convenient, and throw in some Lucas every oil change.
OP
coltle6920
Member
Top Tier gas's main benefit is for the fuel injectors but the detergent additives in the gas work throughout the combustion system.I'm no mechanic (or in your case a machinist) but I think everyone would agree that when you turn off your engine there are vapors from unburnt gas which can lead to a buildup over time.This can lead to clogged injectors which affects performance.
I've read numerous articles from mechanics (not machinists) and firms that have done independent tests and none of them cite what you believe the cause to be.I'm merely talking about gas and not what nay be caused by a defective or poorly maintained automobile.
That's my opinion and I stand by it.
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