Are Shell/Exxon better than other Top Tier gasolines?

I generally try to buy top tier, and I do like Exxon as a company. However US gasoline is very highly regulated, and its doubtful there is much difference when it leaves the distribution depot. However I would say the storage tanks and freshness based on turn at a station do mean something. Gasoline looses octane as it ages.

Having said that - years ago someone posted some data from supposedly a test and Shell did have the most detergent, followed by I think Texaco/Chevron - going from memory. That was a while back, could have been bunk to start, who knows.
 
mojoe said:
Given all of that, my question is, is there any reason to think that Shell or Exxon regular 87 octane is better, or has a better additive package than say regular 87 gas from QT, Costco, Citgo, etc?
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Top Tier gas is worth a little extra at every fuel up. The Shell gas is good, so is Mobil and Phillips 66. Any station with the official Top Tier Gas is better than your non-top tier gas. Shell is marketing so are the others as far as that goes. Top Tier Gas, however, is a real thing, not just marketing. Here is an official link to find your local Top Tier stations. https://www.toptiergas.com/ Try to buy your gas at the busiest station that sells the most Top Tier gas in your area. Fresh gas is always better.
 
GI_GRIFF said:
Top Tier gas is worth a little extra at every fuel up. The Shell gas is good, so is Mobil and Phillips 66. Any station with the official Top Tier Gas is better than your non-top tier gas. Shell is marketing so are the others as far as that goes. Top Tier Gas, however, is a real thing, not just marketing. Here is an official link to find your local Top Tier stations. https://www.toptiergas.com/ Try to buy your gas at the busiest station that sells the most Top Tier gas in your area. Fresh gas is always better.
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Yes, I'm very familiar with Top Tier gas; it's all I've used for a few years now. My question is, is there any reason to think that Shell/Exxon/Chevron is better than other Top Tier gases?
 
mojoe said:
My question is, is there any reason to think that Shell/Exxon/Chevron is better than other Top Tier gases?
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NO. Those big boys just have more money to spend on sales and marketing. I do say however, pick the busiest gas station to buy it. That can make a difference, depending on your particular situation, even Top Tier Gas can get stale.
 
The top tier specs answer many of the questions posted here: https://www.toptiergas.com/wp-conte...asoline_Performance_Standard_revF_2019-12.pdf

Paraphrasing (read it yourself)

1) All grades of gas at a top tier station are to meet the top tier standard - section 4.1

2) Top tier gas is to have between 8 and 10% ethanol. This is interesting for two reasons because several tt stations sell ethanol free gas - which conflicts with 1 above. Some areas are now selling 15% ethanol and I have seen no change in this spec, which also conflicts with 1) above.

3) in section 4.2 ..."The additive shall be certified to have met the minimum deposit control requirements established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 40 CFR Part 80. "

So while I continue to buy top tier, I actually don't think it means much at all. It basically says the fuel additives must meet the EPA standards, and the rest of it conflicts with itself regarding Ethanol. Hard to believe a spec when the spec conflicts with itself.

Caveat Emptor as always.
 
shortyb said:
Well, Shell does for one. Look at FAQ #4 https://www.shell.us/fuels-oils-and-coolants/shell-fuels/shell-v-power-nitro-faqs.html

If you believe their marketing of course.
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Thanks. It certainly sounds like their Premium V-Power Nitro contains a unique, much stronger, more complete additive package than their regular and mid-grade. Still can't tell how it or any of their grades compare to other top tier gasolines though, and still don't have any indication that other brands have different add packs for their different grades.
 
Japanese said:
No, there is no any reason, especially if you fill up 87. If you fill up premium 93, I also think that Mobil and BP have equivalent fuel to the Shell V-Power.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/any-benefit-in-using-shell-v-power.219178/

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1554787
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IF (big "IF") Shell's premium grade V-Power Nitro 91/93 octane has the far superior add pack, then there would definitely be an advantage to using it even if 87 is recommended for your car. Not for the higher octane, but superior cleaning and anti-wear properties.
 
mojoe said:
IF (big "IF") Shell's premium grade V-Power Nitro 91/93 octane has the far superior add pack, then there would definitely be an advantage to using it even if 87 is recommended for your car. Not for the higher octane, but superior cleaning and anti-wear properties.
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Here premium can be as much as 80 cents a gallon more. A can of techron would cost less than the difference in a tank of premium.
 
Thanks for all of the responses! Here's where I'm at . . . . Shell (and perhaps others) offers what may be a superior product in their Premium V-Power Nitro +, but is comes at a much higer cost. Back to my original question though, and I see no reason to think that Shell/Exxon/Chevron regular 87 octane provides any advantage over regular 87 octane of other Top Tier brands like QT/Costco/Citgo etc.. I am a Costco member, which is always very very busy, and I fill up there on every monthly replenishment trip - CHEAP. I also have a very busy QT nearby that always has the cheapest gas around, and having downloaded the app, I get an extra10 cent per gallon discount. This way I can know I'm getting the benefit of Top Tier level detergents keeping my valves and injectors clean, and at very reasonable price. No need to switch to Shell/Exxon.
 
I fuel up at a BJ's. I am a member. I know it's not top tier gas. But, it is FRESH gas. Always a line for fuel, and almost always a tanker unloading new fuel. I'll take fresh gas over old top tier gas anyday, not to mention the added cost of top tier fuel. I just can't afford it. Not swimming in money.
 
Patman said:
Perhaps it has less ethanol than the others. If it has 5% compared to 10% that could easily count for a 1.5 MPG improvement in some cars.
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I don’t think it would be large enough to be consistently measurable. The difference in lower heating value is less than 1%, closer to 0.7%.

That’s too small to reliably measure in field conditions without specially instrumenting the car.
 
mojoe said:
wouldn't the higher octane versions do a better job of cleaning your engine? Or is the extra additive pointless?
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mojoe said:
IF (big "IF") Shell's premium grade V-Power Nitro 91/93 octane has the far superior add pack, then there would definitely be an advantage to using it even if 87 is recommended for your car. Not for the higher octane, but superior cleaning and anti-wear properties.
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These are the exact reasons I use 91 or 93 even tho it's not req'd.

Is it a bit unfounded? Yes. But I also don't know of recent lab data/tests that proves it has more additive. Heck, I recall reading somewhere (maybe it was on BITOG?) that Chevron Supreme 93 has the same amount of Techron as their 87. Not worth it then, imo.

I'm happy to shell out a bit more $ for long-term engine health, even though I have port injectors. I am also backing off my usage of Techron or SI-1 because of my 91/93 usage. But I do totally get everyone who gets 87 TT and calls it a done deal.

Tons of people buy stuff they don't need because it gives em a fuzzy feeling. I guess that's 91/93 for me.
 
Hohn said:
I don’t think it would be large enough to be consistently measurable. The difference in lower heating value is less than 1%, closer to 0.7%.

That’s too small to reliably measure in field conditions without specially instrumenting the car.
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Whenever I hear people say they got 1-2 more MPG by switching fuels, oils, additives, filters, or whatever variable, I always disregard it and think of this:

Tom NJ said:
For those of you who rate your fuel selections based on the MPG you got running a specific brand, I assume you have measured and adjusted for the other variables that affect fuel consumption, such as:
  • Tire pressure
  • Tire alignment
  • Engine temperature
  • Acceleration/braking pattern
  • Percent short trips
  • Idling time
  • Gasoline BTU variations
  • Engine condition/maintenance
  • Road type & conditions
  • Aerodynamic drag
  • Air conditioning usage
  • Seasonal gas formulations
  • Air temperature
  • Air humidity
  • Gasoline temperature
  • Tire type
  • Consistency of fill
  • Altitude changes
  • Vehicle weight
  • Computer MPG accuracy
  • Octane rating/accuracy
  • Hilly terrain
  • Air filter condition
  • Traffic jams
Click to expand...
 
CDNozzle said:
Whenever I hear people say they got 1-2 more MPG by switching fuels, oils, additives, filters, or whatever variable, I always disregard it and think of this:
Click to expand...
I don't know how much more MPG you get with 93 octane vs 87, but in all my vehicles during the years and with all those parameters/bullet points have been equal - the 93 octane always gave me 50 miles more per tank and I explained it on the previous page why is that, because the engine really needs less gas running a higher octane and that is regulated automatically by the engine ECU. That might be also because 93 doesn't contain any ethanol.
With the current digital odometers and board computers that's even easier to find out.
I'm not saying that that's a reason to run higher octane, but for me the better MPG is a fact.
 
Japanese said:
I don't know how much more MPG you get with 93 octane vs 87, but in all my vehicles during the years and with all those parameters/bullet points have been equal - the 93 octane always gave me 50 miles more per tank and I explained it on the previous page why is that, because the engine really needs less gas running a higher octane and that is regulated automatically by the engine ECU. That might be also because 93 doesn't contain any ethanol.
With the current digital odometers and board computers that's even easier to find out.
I'm not saying that that's a reason to run higher octane, but for me the better MPG is a fact.
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My TL definitely gets more MPG on premium vs 87 but I just run the 87 as the extra MPG aren't worth the $1-1.20 extra cost for premium.
 
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