FYI Top Tier Fuel

[Joe Hogan]

Here is something that has been around for awhile but is news to me. I've used Premium Fuel for the additive package but have not released that there is a higher quality fuel around with a better additive package to keep the engine clean. I'll be switching to one of the Top Tier brands in the future.

 

[redbaron]

Many stations already are top tier. I have the app to find those stations when traveling, but major brands like Exxon, Shell, QT are all TopTier.

 

[team bradfield]

I've always used the cheap stuff, no problems to date, long history, 66 years old, had a pinto that was awesome on regular

 

[redbaron]

I've always used the cheap stuff, no problems to date, long history, 66 years old, had a pinto that was awesome on regular

Modern cars are designed differently. BMW, Kia, Toyota, Honda, and General Motors all worked together to define the minimum standard for a top tier fuel that would match the engineering.

If your manufacturer doesn’t recommend it, then don’t worry.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

With today's vehicles easily reaching 300,000 miles. I wonder who will benefit from longer engine life.

My guess concerning this group maybe the 3rd or 4th owner of your vehicles might benefit, but even then it's questionable.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Many systems of the new engines cause heavy carbon deposits like direct injection and EGR. The direct injection engines do not allow fuel to "wash" the intake valves, the EKR introduces lots of carbon and the PCV allows oil vapor in teh intake. Not a good combination.

https://www.aa1car.com/library/intake_valves_dirty_2.jpg

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I get that. Only point I am making is without tier gas, the engine will likely outlast a 65 year old owner. For everyone else, and many 65 year old owners they will have traded off their vehicles anyhow miles before any issues arise from using lower grade fuels.

Personally, I have rebuilt many an engine. Older engines needed more DeCarb than newer engines that had double the miles. The only gas I won't put in my truck is from Marathon, I have had problems with their fuel!

 

[RollingManCave]

Here is something that has been around for awhile but is news to me. I've used Premium Fuel for the additive package but have not released that there is a higher quality fuel around with a better additive package to keep the engine clean. I'll be switching to one of the Top Tier brands in the future.

Just make sure anything else that runs off your tank can burn it.

 

[AbdRahim]

I never buy no name. 54 years of driving many brands of cars. I always use good brand names, Mobil, Amoco, Shell, Gulf, BP, Valero, etc.,without any problems. No problems even with Pilot/ Flying J, Petro, or Loves.

Of course, until now, with today’s prices, I never ran a car to 200,000 miles.

 

[DennisT]

We had an old Pontiac Vibe.

Ran whatever gas was close by when we needed to fill up.

Put 150k miles on it before trading it in.

Last time we were at the dealership they looked and it had just been registered again with around 300k miles on it.

Don’t think it much matters what brand of fuel you use, at least in the above example.

 

[Rosy]

We had an old Pontiac Vibe.

Ran whatever gas was close by when we needed to fill up.

Put 150k miles on it before trading it in.

Last time we were at the dealership they looked and it had just been registered again with around 300k miles on it.

Don’t think it much matters what brand of fuel you use, at least in the above example.

Not when you drive a Toyota, anyway...

 

[Crazydog]

Hmm...45+ years of driving and using whatever gas was available when I needed it. This includes no name mom and pop gas stations out in the sticks where who know how long the fuel had been there. Never had a problem.

 

[redbaron]

Hmm...45+ years of driving and using whatever gas was available when I needed it. This includes no name mom and pop gas stations out in the sticks where who know how long the fuel had been there. Never had a problem.

You have not been driving a Kia/BMW/Toyota/Honda/General Motors vehicle designed for TopTier fuel for 45 years ... and that is the point.

Forget what used to work---New engines are designed for a specific fuel. The engineers designed the motors around the expectation of a minimum standard of additives. Top Tier meets these. If you are driving a car that the manufacture did not design for top tier, then none of the information in this thread applies. This only applies for late model cars designed for this fuel.

You can use any fuel in any car, including those designed for TopTier, and it won't break immediately, but it is not running optimally.

 

[House Husband]

Mr. Redbaron, can you explain why those vehicles designed for TopTier fuel won't run optimally? And why they will deteriorate when not on TopTier fuel? Inquiring minds want to know.

Richard

 

[redbaron]

Mr. Redbaron, can you explain why those vehicles designed for TopTier fuel won't run optimally? And why they will deteriorate when not on TopTier fuel? Inquiring minds want to know.

Richard

I’m not the engineer. All I know is that my Kia, BMW, and Chevrolet all have labels, clear print in the manual, and numerous TSB stating that TopTier fuel is required for optimal performance.

If not using TopTier, then you must use an additive that meets or exceeds.

The manual also states that you should not mix additives with TopTier gas. Any of the vehicles manufactured since 2004 from GM, BMW, Toyota, and Honda require this.

I suspect the timing is based on the corn fuel being introduced and further damaging engines without the proper burn.

This is from the top tier alliance

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the TOP TIER™ Approved Fuels Program, an initiative that has reshaped the landscape of fuel detergency standards and clean engine vehicle performance since its inception. Collaboratively introduced in 2004 by General Motors, BMW, Toyota, and Honda, TOP TIER™ Approved Gasoline and Diesel have become synonymous with exceptional fuel quality and engine care. Now, they are joined by eight more leading auto manufacturers including Audi, Daimler Truck, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, International, Stellantis, Subaru of America, and Volkswagen.

 

[redbaron]

if you look at the brands that offer top tier, you would be challenged to find fuel that isn’t TopTier.

Mainly Walmart, Costco, and other ultra cheap fuel is the problem fuel.

QT, Exxon, Mobil, Shell, Marathon, Chevron, Valero are among the many retailers that are TopTier

 

[Rollin Ollen]

if you look at the brands that offer top tier, you would be challenged to find fuel that isn’t TopTier.

Mainly Walmart, Costco, and other ultra cheap fuel is the problem fuel.

QT, Exxon, Mobil, Shell, Marathon, Chevron, Valero are among the many retailers that are TopTier

It appears the Costco gasoline IS top tier. https://www.costco.ca/gasoline-q-and-a.html

 

[Joe Hogan]

Reviewing Top Tier fuel philosophy of high detergent formulation and how that might solve the intake coking from DI engines, many brands now use both a multi-port system and a Direct injection system in combination. This solves much of the intake valve and track carbon issue.

Interesting solution.

From the internet

Auto Brands with Dual Fuel Injection

Several auto brands have implemented dual fuel injection systems, combining direct injection (DI) and port fuel injection (PFI). Toyota and Ford are notable examples that use this technology in their engines.

Toyota's dual injection system, known as D-4S, integrates both direct and port fuel injection to optimize performance, emissions, and fuel economy. This system has been used in various Toyota and Lexus models since around 2007, including the Lexus GS SUV, Toyota/Scion FR-S F86, and the Toyota Highlander and Tacoma

Ford also utilizes dual fuel injection systems in some of its newer engines. For instance, the 3.5L and 2.7L EcoBoost engines in Ford vehicles from 2017 onwards, as well as the Mustang 5.0L and F-150 5.0L engines from 2018 onwards, incorporate this technology

These systems aim to leverage the advantages of both direct and port fuel injection, such as better vaporization and cooling effects, while mitigating their respective disadvantages, like carbon buildup and soot production

 

[dave54]

The video pimps Shell fuel. It may be better (or not, I really do not know). However -- Shell in my area runs 30+ cents higher per gallon. The higher fuel expense now must be weighed against the savings from reduced engine wear that will only show up long after I replace the vehicle.

 

[redbaron]

It appears the Costco gasoline IS top tier. https://www.costco.ca/gasoline-q-and-a.html

You are correct -- this is good news. The pages vary between US & CANADA

From the CANADA site linked in your post:

vs the US page (https://www.costco.com/gasoline-q-and-a.html)