Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Originally Posted By: NissanMaxima
Hi all: I did a forum and internet search but didn't turn up anything. I recently became aware of Top Tier gas brands and what that means, but I was wondering if there are any ratings within that list of brands, or if they are all considered equivalent. I know octane is octane, but what I'm wondering about is detergent level etc.
Then I'm sure that you're aware that TopTier is a certification program run by none other than the same GM that couldn't seem to figure out how to design an ignition switch.
Top Tier is a deposit formation standard, not a detergent content one.
Most, maybe all, fuels that meet the federal EPA detergent requirements would probably qualify.
Gasbuddy establishes my personal top tier rankings and the least costly station on my typical travels is often a TopTier Valero, although I have no trouble buying twenty .109 after rewards gallons from a TopTier BP or using store rewards to get a buck off thirty five gallons from a non TopTier Kroger.
I've bought fuel based upon price for the past twenty years or so with never a problem in any vehicle.
You might just try the same and enjoy the same results.
Since GM established the TopTier criteria, maybe some GM engines had real deposit formation problems with certain fuels?
The Honda, Subaru, Ford, BMW, Tecumseh, VW and Mercedes engines we've had over the past couple of decades never did.
The fact is that many of those other manufacturers you mention use that same TopTier standard for what they encourage their customers to use in their vehicles.
TopTier is NOT some marketing stunt, but a genuine standard and requirement that must be met by fuel suppliers that wish to use the TopTier branding. Now the organization actually do random audits of stations to make sure that the standards of their members sell to consumers.