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 in my Camry or 162k miles in my RAV4.

 

[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?

 

[gfh77665]

It would make zero economical sense, for starters. If you buy and add a quality PEA additive every tank you are adding about $10+ each time you fill up. You can choose TT fuels for a tiny fraction of that price, and run the PEA cleaner once every 5000 miles or so, like it directs you to do. Don't overthink this, its a bad idea.

 

[GaryMX5]

There are so many fuel companies providing top tier gas it's hard not to find one. Yes you might have to spend a few cents more per gallon than the corner independent station, but in the long run those few cents per gallon still add up to be less than a bottle of Techtron. If you're still worried that your not getting a decent/quality top tier option you might try Costco as their additive mixing is done on site and they're pretty proud of their quality control. I doubt many of the big boys like shell exxon chevron, etc offer less than the Top Tier specified additive formulation as well.

 

[spasm3]

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.

What cleaning additives are you looking to add to your fuel? Detergents or solvents. Which particular additive are you wanting to see more of ?

All fuel in the US has to meet a minimum detergent level. So i wouldn't say we don't know the quality.

Every tank is not necessary, waste of money, but its your money.

Techron says not more than 3 treatments per oci.

Top Tier is not hard to find.

 

[rstsco]

I have found Shell premium gives the best performance and cleaning with my 2025 Pilot and the way we drive. I'm currently on a 3k+ trip and finding the price difference between regular Shell 87 octane and their premium, 91 or 93 octane, are more than a dollar per gallon. One station was $2/gallon higher for the premium (V-Power Nitro+). Crazy money! My home station is about 50 cents more per gallon, or at least it was last week when we left on this trip.

For those looking to use an additive every tank, Amsoil Upper Cylinder Lubricant contains PEA at lower doses than their PI additive, as well as whatever lubricants are in this formulation. I was going to use Shell 87 octane and Amsoil UCL, but the price difference for premium wasn't worth doing so, but if it's going to be over $1/gallon, I may try using the Shell 87 octane. I was adding a bottle of Redline SI-1 prior to oil changes, but last OCI used the Valvoline Restore and Protect Fuel System Cleaner. I brought a bottle along on this trip in case I had to use a non-Top Tier certified fuel. So far I haven't.

Prior to the switch back to Shell premium, I was using Quik Trip 87 octane, which is Top Tier certified. I started having a lot of carbon deposits in the oil and oil filter. Switching back to Shell premium has stopped those deposits. Being GDI, it's important to me to do what I can to minimize these carbon deposits, within budgetary constraints, of course.