quote:

Originally posted by Scurvy:
This is the first I've ever heard of the 'top tier' branding of fuel. A quick google reveals it's a license created by the auto manufacturers. Sounds like a good way for them to extract money from an area they don't get much control over.

I'm guess everyone in here who only uses 'top tier' branded gas, also drink expensive bottled water only that exceeds federal standards for tap water...

I buy whatever is convenient. I pay no attention to branding as long as it isn't a crap hole. I pay marginal amounts of attention to price since most places here are all withing 5 cents of each other and I'm not driving out of my way to save 45 cents...

quote:

Originally posted by Scurvy:
I'm guess everyone in here who only uses 'top tier' branded gas, also drink expensive bottled water only that exceeds federal standards for tap water...

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
Is there the same difference in quality between top tier and the other stations when you are talking about ethanol free gasoline? For instance, Maverik ethnaol free vs. Top Tier brand “X” ethanol free?

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Originally posted by detroit192:

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
Is there the same difference in quality between top tier and the other stations when you are talking about ethanol free gasoline? For instance, Maverik ethnaol free vs. Top Tier brand “X” ethanol free?

I am not sure that TopTier's take is on it but every where I have seen ethanol free gasoline there has been a disclaimer, i.e. "not a Shell product" etc. TopTier does require every grade a gasoline to meet its standard in order to qualify as TopTier. So I guess the brands/station argument is every grade does meet standard, and ethanol free is not a grade, which is true, but another product. But ethanol as a fuel additive is a separate issue, which has been covered in numerous past threads.

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Originally posted by jimmy123x:

quote:

Originally posted by detroit192:

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
Is there the same difference in quality between top tier and the other stations when you are talking about ethanol free gasoline? For instance, Maverik ethnaol free vs. Top Tier brand “X” ethanol free?

I am not sure that TopTier's take is on it but every where I have seen ethanol free gasoline there has been a disclaimer, i.e. "not a Shell product" etc. TopTier does require every grade a gasoline to meet its standard in order to qualify as TopTier. So I guess the brands/station argument is every grade does meet standard, and ethanol free is not a grade, which is true, but another product. But ethanol as a fuel additive is a separate issue, which has been covered in numerous past threads.

Ethanol free also called recreational 90, isn't necessarily meant for the automotive market. It's sold as fuel for off road equipment, boats, atv's, lawn equipment, etc. So I don't know if it has or needs the top tier stuff in it, as it also doesn't have to contend with ethanol in it either. But this is probably the reason it doesn't have the "top tier" additives in it.

quote:

Originally posted by Scurvy:


I'm guess everyone in here who only uses 'top tier' branded gas, also drink expensive bottled water only that exceeds federal standards for tap water...

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Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

Originally posted by Scurvy:


I'm guess everyone in here who only uses 'top tier' branded gas, also drink expensive bottled water only that exceeds federal standards for tap water...

Well as long as it has an acceptable amount of lead....

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Originally posted by egregore:
Collectively, I have put over 400,000 miles on several fuel-injected cars and trucks, some with top tier gas, most of it not, all E10, never any additives, and have yet to have a problem.

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All I see from "top tier" is something in it to destroy your engine so you have to buy another car.

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Originally posted by BB61:


Thanks to both. I’ve been putting ethanol free in my Tacoma for several years. My mileage increased enough to almost cover the increased cost of the gas. I’m sure part of the increased mileage is it has a higher octane level but I’ve always wondered, outside of ethanol, if there are any other differences.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGnified:

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:


Thanks to both. I’ve been putting ethanol free in my Tacoma for several years. My mileage increased enough to almost cover the increased cost of the gas. I’m sure part of the increased mileage is it has a higher octane level but I’ve always wondered, outside of ethanol, if there are any other differences.

I find frequently that most people rarely understand what an octane rating is much less the value of one.

Unless you using a turbocharger or a high compression engine you don’t require high-octane. It's useful when you need to stop the chances of predetination in the cylinder due to excessive heat from turbo/poor intercoolers and/or high ratio compression which blows before the correct timing aka “knock” (which ain’t the same as run-on).

Most modern cars will dial back/retard timing if you have the wrong fuel for your car re: octane. Many folks think high octane is more powerful, when actually it is less likely to combust (especially under high temps and compression).

In my case I have run 100, 101,108 and 110 octane race gas because my ECU delivers extra fuel to over 20lbs of boost on the K24 twin turbos; even with upgraded intercoolers. Because of this I can run advanced timing too which results in about 550hp. YMMV.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:

quote:

Originally posted by SIGnified:

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:


Thanks to both. I’ve been putting ethanol free in my Tacoma for several years. My mileage increased enough to almost cover the increased cost of the gas. I’m sure part of the increased mileage is it has a higher octane level but I’ve always wondered, outside of ethanol, if there are any other differences.

I find frequently that most people rarely understand what an octane rating is much less the value of one.

Unless you using a turbocharger or a high compression engine you don’t require high-octane. It's useful when you need to stop the chances of predetination in the cylinder due to excessive heat from turbo/poor intercoolers and/or high ratio compression which blows before the correct timing aka “knock” (which ain’t the same as run-on).

Most modern cars will dial back/retard timing if you have the wrong fuel for your car re: octane. Many folks think high octane is more powerful, when actually it is less likely to combust (especially under high temps and compression).

In my case I have run 100, 101,108 and 110 octane race gas because my ECU delivers extra fuel to over 20lbs of boost on the K24 twin turbos; even with upgraded intercoolers. Because of this I can run advanced timing too which results in about 550hp. YMMV.

You two are comparing apples and oranges. (I've dealt with both, had a race car 93' Cobra supercharged with 16lbs boost that made 632hp at the rear wheels in the late 90s) and deal with the ethanol free fuel on all of the boats I manage. You're talking about race fuel like VP sells, he's talking about regular gasoline, 90 octane without any ethanol in it. I'm not sure if a Tacoma engine could benefit from 90 octane over 87 when it comes to mileage, but it surely isn't hurting the mileage any.


Ethanol free fuel is usually 90 octane. Not anything but mid grade gasoline you'd find at the pumps prior to 2008. It just has no ethanol in it. It's been proven that 10% ethanol gasoline found at pumps across the country usually nets about a 10% reduction in fuel mileage as well. BUT, also the ethanol is a lot more caustic to the entire fuel system of a vehicle and has a tendency to attract water. (which is why most all of the marina's have recreational 90 no ethanol). On older cars, boats, lawn equipment the E10 fuel found at every gas station will eat right through fuel lines, seals, carberator parts, etc. etc. But the lack of ethanol is most likely to account for the increased mileage.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
I have yet to find a single pump in my area displaying the top tier logo. I've downloaded the AAA app which is supposed to tell which stations sell it, but none of stations it shows display the logo. The results the app gives appear to be based solely wether or not the brand is in the top tier list. None of the three Circle Ks I pass are listed as top tier by the app despite the fact they sell Mobile Products. The app just lists them as Circle K.

Would all Mobil or Shell gas sold nationwide be top tier? Displaying the logo seems to be a requirement of top tier, so maybe the fuel being sold by Shell, Mobil, and Marathon in my area isn't the same in other areas?