We tend to buy cars we like and keep them forever. With that, Top Tier only. Even if it doesn't affect performance in the immediate term, the long term benefits are worth it to me.

In Utah we have Maverick stations, I use that in my Jeep and Pilot. I've stuck with Chevron in my Corvette, 91 with the Techron additive, never an issue.

Anybody want to talk about oil?

What is top tier? Is there a symbol on the pump or something?

I remember a series of TV ads for a gasoline brand from maybe 40 years ago. I don't remember the brand for sure, I think it might have been Chevron.


<brand_name> gas will fill any tank shape!

With <brand_name> in your tank, your car will run backwards and forward!

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
What is top tier? Is there a symbol on the pump or something?

Per TatorTodd's post on the first page, https://www.toptiergas.com/consumers/

Having owned a gas station (both citgo and shell) i will say years ago there was a pretty substantial difference but as years passed and the corporation sold to jobbers he became less clear. There are different additives added at the "rack" possibly, but only way to tell is looking at the gas as it is dropped. I do know that there were times i would be checking the tanker and would notice a completely different color gas being dropped.

Some of the greater difference happen when you have smaller stations that will cross fill their regular gas into the high test tanks. It is not wide spread but I know it has happened.

No appreciable difference from the seat of the pants observation, for me.

Luckily, I have an Exxon on my way to work, that is consistently one of the cheapest / gal stations around.

$1.899/gal for 87 this morning. Compared to $2.039/gal at the grocery store (HEB) by my house.

I have never had an issue using gasoline that is not a top-tier. Then again I buy new vehicles and seldom keep them over 100k miles.

I have never noticed any advertising or prominent signs stating that their brand is top tier. Also on most cars you have to read the owners manual to find out that top tier is recommended. I have never read a statement that top tier is required.

A short comment on Shell. Their high test locally runs approximately $0.90 per gal more than regular compared to other brands being around $0.70 per gal more. For $0.20 more per gal it better have good stuff in it!

Dump in some Seafoam or Techron occasionally, don’t sit and idle for long periods, and burn whatever I find. I drive my vehicles into the ground past 200K, and this has worked for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Yellow Jacket:
Anybody want to talk about oil?

Only Mobil 1, 8.75 quarts every oil change on the 997.2 and 6 quarts on the 4Runner.

quote:

Originally posted by Censored:

quote:

Originally posted by Yellow Jacket:
Anybody want to talk about oil?

Only Mobil 1, 8.75 quarts every oil change on the 997.2 and 6 quarts on the 4Runner.

Did the Mercedes yesterday. 7.5qts of M1 FS.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
What is top tier? Is there a symbol on the pump or something?

Per TatorTodd's post on the first page, https://www.toptiergas.com/consumers/

Is this the sticker? I've never noticed it on a pump.

Gasoline is a pure commodity.
There are other factors when buying such as convenience, location, price, credit (card) and other services offered at the store/station like auto services, food, wash ...whatever.
But what actually goes in to the tank is all the same pretty much.

My old departed uncle always insisted that my aunt buy Borden's brand milk and dairy products.
I was working at a grocery store at the time (Hy Vee) and told him they all come on the same truck with different labels.
He didn't care and always paid the higher price.
Oh well?

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
But what actually goes in to the tank is all the same pretty much.

Did you read before posting?

I have an almost 18 year old Ford F150 as my daily driver that gets whatever fuel is cheapest wherever I'm at the time. To date, I've never had any fuel system problems with it, and since it gets horrible fuel economy anyway, I don't think the cheap fuel is really hurting me there either. Different strokes I guess...

Hey tatortodd, is there any appreciable difference between the Walmart SuperTech Synthetic oil I've been using in my truck versus the Mobil 1 synthetic my snobbish brother runs in his? Both jugs seem to have all the same industry/testing certification stamps on them.

The difference is the additive package and it does make a big difference over the life of your vehicle. I get top tier gas whenever possible.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
Hey tatortodd, is there any appreciable difference between the Walmart SuperTech Synthetic oil I've been using in my truck versus the Mobil 1 synthetic my snobbish brother runs in his? Both jugs seem to have all the same industry/testing certification stamps on them.

In my 22 years the oil & gas industry, at the most I could say is I've worked with people in the Lube oils business which lead to touring two lube blending plants (they're pretty interesting). However, my limited exposure to lube plants doesn't give me any special knowledge of how well different lubes will work in engines.

Somebody's lube blending plant is making it for Supertech. If they have the identical certs and they're the certs your owner's manual recommends then at the very least you aren't violating your warranty. Bobistheoilguy is all over the place on topics like this too.

I fill up a lot at Sam's Club. Periodically, I add a bottle of Techron FI cleaner to the tank.....especially if the engine "stumbles" at a light. That cleans things up just fine. I only use top tier gas in my "special" autos.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
What is top tier? Is there a symbol on the pump or something?

Per TatorTodd's post on the first page, https://www.toptiergas.com/consumers/

Is this the sticker? I've never noticed it on a pump.

That is the sticker. It is definitely on Costco and Shell pumps, at least it is at the stations I go to.