Fuel additives vs searching for Top Tier Gas

[msparks]

I've been pondering, since we don't really know what gasoline quality comes our of the pump regardless if it is labeled "top tier" I wonder if just using a good gasoline additive every single tank (one that provides lubrication as well as cleaning additives) wouldn't be a smarter choice. Some pumps are labeled, some are not.

My current plan is just to use an additive every tank and not worry about it.

 

[Tdbo]

My current plan is just to use an additive every tank and not worry about it.

Nothing wrong with that.
I did that for years because there was not a source of TT Fuel around me for a 30 mile radius.
I dumped a battle of Techron in it every 5K.
Car was still running like a champ @ 275K.
If you can get TT and it is a comparable price to what you usually use, buy it.
If not, use the additive.
There are more insurmountable problems in the world to tackle.

 

[SureshR]

The additive is a kinda expensive way to convert cheap gas into top tier gas, so if you can get top tier, stick to that and use the additive, if you must, once every four or five tank fills. Just a regular octane booster, if you use an injector cleaner or fuel system purge when your car doesn't need it, there's a whole lot of other fun to be had.

 

[Hall]

since we don't really know what gasoline quality comes our of the pump regardless if it is labeled "top tier"

Wow ! That's scandalous !

 

[dishdude]

Additive every tank is way overkill. Find a TT station in the area you usually fill up in and get gas there. If you have to fill up at a non TT station on occasion it's not the end of the world.

 

[melk]

Which products specifically contain lubricants in addition to p.e.a ? I assume most, to some degree? Especially those labeled “high mileage”

 

[Leo99]

I use convenience store gasoline exclusively. Never used an additive. No issues yet at 182k miles.

 

[The Critic]

Here is some good bathroom reading for you:

F

Post in thread 'Top Tier Gas a scam?'

Nov 3, 2025

Scam? Depends on your definition of scam I guess.


Marketing play? Absolutely.

Is there any difference in “top tier” 87e10, 89e10, 93e10, R90E0 and non-top tier formulations leaving the refinery and/or terminal? No. There is not.

• Foxtrot08

• 

 

[dnewton3]

I've been pondering, since we don't really know what gasoline quality comes our of the pump regardless if it is labeled "top tier" I wonder if just using a good gasoline additive every single tank (one that provides lubrication as well as cleaning additives) wouldn't be a smarter choice. Some pumps are labeled, some are not.

My current plan is just to use an additive every tank and not worry about it.

So, you're going to buy TT gas and then put in additive on top of it? That seems wasteful. And many of the PEA additive products specifically state to NOT use it all the time.

Of, are you going to be "standard" (non-TT) gas and then put in additive? This seems dubious to me, because you're worried about the quality of TT fuel, but then you'll buy gas of unknown quality ???


I think you're WAY overthinking this ...

 

[BHopkins]

Not a plan that I would choose, for a number of reasons.

First, it seems like a real hassle to have to add fuel additive at every fill up, especially when I can go onto the Top Tier website and verify which stations in may area are top tier, and just buy gas there.

Second, almost every bottle of fuel additive that I have looked at says that it is not intended for use with every fill up. Right on Chevron's Q&A page of their website, says that if you can't get Chevron fuel in your area, that using a bottle of Techron every 3000 miles is a good alternative. That's a lot less than every tank.

Third, it seems like a very expensive alternative, when I can just use Top Tier fuel.

You mention fuel additives with lubricant. Are you talking about diesel additives? I don't know if I've ever seen gas fuel additives that claim to have lubricity properties. Which one are you thinking of using, that claims to include lubricity?