Top Tier Gas
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 882
Likes: 1
From: UBIQUITOUS
Top Tier Gas
not sure if this is a repost...
go to the site and read...
amazing how Exxon, Mobil, nor Sunoco was listed.
http://www.toptiergas.com/
go to the site and read...
amazing how Exxon, Mobil, nor Sunoco was listed.
http://www.toptiergas.com/
for now.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,349
Likes: 3
From: Lower Nazzie, Pa
Originally Posted by 3PUTT
not sure if this is a repost...
go to the site and read...
amazing how Exxon, Mobil, nor Sunoco was listed.
http://www.toptiergas.com/
go to the site and read...
amazing how Exxon, Mobil, nor Sunoco was listed.
http://www.toptiergas.com/
There was an article about it in motortrend or car/driver, don't remember which one. It said a bunch of automakers got together (honda, toyota, bmw, and a couple others) and agreed on specifications of gasoline.
There are stuff that causes deposits and crap in the engine, but no one can pin down what the stuff actually is, so they can't put a minimum "standard" on gas. So these automakers decided to figure what minimum detergents and additives and stuff are needed in the gasoline to help prevent deposits, which they now call top tier gas which theoretically SHOULD be better for your engine.
But the article also said that using non-top-tier gas wouldn't void the warrantee or prove to cause damage. It just said that Top Tier is supposedly better for the engine.
(It's analagous to using a lower octane than specified by the manuf. you don't get all the horsies, but you shouldn't cause damange or void the warrantee either).
Licking Platters Clean
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
Originally Posted by 3PUTT
not sure if this is a repost...
go to the site and read...
amazing how Exxon, Mobil, nor Sunoco was listed.
http://www.toptiergas.com/
go to the site and read...
amazing how Exxon, Mobil, nor Sunoco was listed.
http://www.toptiergas.com/
I'd love to see how Costco (where I get my gas) would test out!
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 882
Likes: 1
From: UBIQUITOUS
the car and driver article had a warning about regularly putting those over the counter additives. the article did not want to mention any brands. i usually stay away from them unless the car is pretty old.
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: 5280'
1.3.1.2 Base Fuel. The base fuel shall conform to ASTM D 4814 and shall contain commercial fuel grade ethanol conforming to ASTM D 4806. All gasoline blend stocks used to formulate the base fuel shall be representative of normal U.S. refinery operations and shall be derived from conversion units downstream of distillation. Butanes and pentanes are allowed for vapor pressure adjustment. The use of chemical streams is prohibited. The base fuel shall have the following specific properties after the addition of ethanol:
Contain enough denatured ethanol such that the actual ethanol content is no less than 8.0 and no more than 10.0 volume percent.
Contain no less than 8 volume percent olefins. At least 75% of the olefins shall be derived from FCC gasoline as defined by CARB (advisory letter, April 19, 2001).
Contain no less than 28 volume percent aromatics.
Contain no less than 48 mg/kg sulfur. At least 60% of the sulfur shall be derived from FCC blend stock.
Produce a 90% evaporation distillation temperature no less than 290°F.
Produce IVD no less than 500 mg averaged over all intake valves.
Contain enough denatured ethanol such that the actual ethanol content is no less than 8.0 and no more than 10.0 volume percent.
Contain no less than 8 volume percent olefins. At least 75% of the olefins shall be derived from FCC gasoline as defined by CARB (advisory letter, April 19, 2001).
Contain no less than 28 volume percent aromatics.
Contain no less than 48 mg/kg sulfur. At least 60% of the sulfur shall be derived from FCC blend stock.
Produce a 90% evaporation distillation temperature no less than 290°F.
Produce IVD no less than 500 mg averaged over all intake valves.
Last edited by quantmonkey; Jul 14, 2005 at 12:19 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 108
Likes: 14
Top Tier fuel
I was reading a post here recommending to use only 93 octane in the Acuras.
I always opt for 93 octane from Costco.
I went here ( Top Tier ) to find a list. Costco is in the list, SHELL - Exxon / Mobile are in there as I would except. A bunch of names I never thought would make it there are also included.
Anyhow I was always under the impression that Shell had the best gas if using 93 octane - it is expensive and that's why I've been opting for Costco. Is there vast difference between the two?
I always opt for 93 octane from Costco.
I went here ( Top Tier ) to find a list. Costco is in the list, SHELL - Exxon / Mobile are in there as I would except. A bunch of names I never thought would make it there are also included.
Anyhow I was always under the impression that Shell had the best gas if using 93 octane - it is expensive and that's why I've been opting for Costco. Is there vast difference between the two?
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 29,353
Likes: 6,436
From: Spring, TX
IIRC, it mostly comes down to their specific detergent/additive pkg. The base fuel is likely the same between them.
I've been using Costco 93 in my FiST & it seems happy with it. No noticeable difference to the Shell 87 from a station on my commute.
I've been using Costco 93 in my FiST & it seems happy with it. No noticeable difference to the Shell 87 from a station on my commute.
mrgold35
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,983
Likes: 1,653
From: ABQ, NM
Does your Acura require 91 Octane or 87-91 Octane recommended on the gas door? Ethanol is most likely used to bring up the octane level to 93. Ethanol gas doesn't gum up as much and helps clean the fuel system compared to 100% gas. Top Tier fuel usually adds detergents to help keep the entire fuel system cleaner (combustion chamber, cylinder head, spark plugs, valves, injectors, fuel lines). You don't have to use Top Tier or 93 Octane on every tank. I split my fuel ups between Sam's Club (70%) and Costco (30%) depending on which lines are shorter (both are usually blocks away from each other with the same gas prices).
Senior Moderator
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 18,015
Likes: 1,429
From: NYC
Never heard of this. Checked my local station and it's on the list. But if this thing is really useful, why don't these gas stations put a sticker on their pumps to tout this. I don't think I've ever seen any branding.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,355
Likes: 865
From: Clearwater Fl
Missed Halloween by just a few say with the 
anyways, I use tide pods, it’s more convenient, I have a bunch under the sink. Plus I can snack on them as well. <sarcasm…>
thanks for posting that clip CS. I have used shell or Mobile stations with all my cars. Shell used to be super convenient for me, but they all changed to Circle K in my area. So now the nearest good ones are Mobile.
anyways, I use tide pods, it’s more convenient, I have a bunch under the sink. Plus I can snack on them as well. <sarcasm…>
thanks for posting that clip CS. I have used shell or Mobile stations with all my cars. Shell used to be super convenient for me, but they all changed to Circle K in my area. So now the nearest good ones are Mobile.
_
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,208
Likes: 3,403
Top Tier = pay to play marketing as I mentioned here --> https://acurazine.com/forums/car-tal...-898956/page2/
See posts # 47 and # 60 and # 63 and # 72
See posts # 47 and # 60 and # 63 and # 72
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,355
Likes: 865
From: Clearwater Fl
I’m not familiar with that YouTube channel, but to me it feels like they looked up top best and worst fuels from a site then told AI to generate 30 minutes of slop around the list provided.
the images and clip stitching, the constant “I’ve seen it happen, someone drove x miles after filling at a station…”
the images and clip stitching, the constant “I’ve seen it happen, someone drove x miles after filling at a station…”
_
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,208
Likes: 3,403
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 — Intro: Why 70% of Gas in America Damages Engines
01:20 — #11: Safeway Gas Stations
02:40 — #10: 7-Eleven Gas
04:00 — #9: Sam’s Club Fuel
05:20 — #8: Circle K Fuel Problems
06:40 — #7: Murphy USA (Walmart)
08:00 — #6: Speedway
09:20 — #5: Love’s Travel Stops
10:40 — #4: Amoco (Why It’s Not What It Used to Be)
12:00 — #3: Pilot Flying J
13:20 — #2: Sunoco Regular Grade
14:40 — #1: Toxic/Waste Fuel Scandals (The Worst of the Worst)
16:00 — The Top 5 Gas Brands That Protect Your Engine
16:20 — #5: Chevron with Techron
17:40 — #4: Shell V-Power Nitro+
19:00 — #3: ExxonMobil Synergy
20:20 — #2: Costco Top Tier Fuel
21:40 — #1: BP/Amoco Ultimate (NOT regular Amoco)
I’m not familiar with that YouTube channel, but to me it feels like they looked up top best and worst fuels from a site then told AI to generate 30 minutes of slop around the list provided.
the images and clip stitching, the constant “I’ve seen it happen, someone drove x miles after filling at a station…”
the images and clip stitching, the constant “I’ve seen it happen, someone drove x miles after filling at a station…”
Last edited by AZuser; Dec 3, 2025 at 10:01 AM.
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