I've always been nuts about using the best fuel, and have most of the time used BP. Then I heard about this Top Tier Fuel thing. The only BP fuel that is Top Tier is the top grade: the others are NOT Top Tier. All of Shell fuels are Top Tier, which, from what I understand, means they clean valves, etc. much better than otherwise. And, having also heard that Honda helped Shell develop this fuel, i was pumped about using it in my Ridgeline and Trans Am (98). However, on further thought, it occurred to me that the cleaners in Shell that make it Top Tier might be ethanols or other alcohols. Well, you can't use E85, for instance, in normal cars, because it'll degrade the rubber and plastic lines in the system, in addition to the diaphragm of the fuel pump I would assume. So I'm worried that I might be shortening the lift of my fuel pump diaphragm, among other things, by using Shell, as opposed to BP, which, while it may not clean absolutely as well as Shell, it might also not rot out the diapragm. Even if this is true, maybe it's also the case that using Shell continuously would give the system a lifetime of maybe ten years, while using BP would give it a lifetime of maybe 20 years. But I want this thing to last forever, so if it makes any difference, I want to err on the side of longevity. Part of me thinks I should stay away from Top Tier stuff and always just use BP or other fuels that aren't Top Tier. Other parts of me think that I should use one part of the time, and the other the rest of the time. Or I should be using Shell all the time.
Fuel Pump/Top Tier Fuels
- Thread starter BertWhitaker
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Honda wants quality fuel for its cars, and TopTier retailers want something to differentiate themselves from the pumps down the street. Win-win for you.
BTW, most people think Shell's detergent additives are amines like Chevron and other major players use. I don't see them causing any damage to your vehicles.
BTW, most people think Shell's detergent additives are amines like Chevron and other major players use. I don't see them causing any damage to your vehicles.
almost impossible to find retail gasoline in the US that does not have ethanol in it, usually 10% mix. cheapest and health safety safest octane booster that the gas companies will use.
have you tried the new Shell "Nitrogen" gas. some on the forum have used it and report good results.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10185640-48.html
personally, in all my driving i see little variation across the nation in gasoline performance except in the summer/winter formulations. winter formulation gas is not my favorite to run, 10%>20% drop in fuel mileage. i try to buy all my gas at high volume stations, ethanol doped fuels degrade quickly and absorb water.
i see far more variation in the quality and power output of diesel fuel
have you tried the new Shell "Nitrogen" gas. some on the forum have used it and report good results.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10185640-48.html
personally, in all my driving i see little variation across the nation in gasoline performance except in the summer/winter formulations. winter formulation gas is not my favorite to run, 10%>20% drop in fuel mileage. i try to buy all my gas at high volume stations, ethanol doped fuels degrade quickly and absorb water.
i see far more variation in the quality and power output of diesel fuel
Originally Posted By: BertWhitaker
The only BP fuel that is Top Tier is the top grade: the others are NOT Top Tier. All of Shell fuels are Top Tier, which, from what I understand, means they clean valves, etc. much better than otherwise.
In order to be labelled "Top Tier" ALL commercial grades of a marketer's gasoline must meet Top Tier standards. If BP gas is Top Tier, then their regular, mid-grade and premium will be Top Tier. Btw, I haven't checked the Top Tier website lately but last time I checked BP wasn't included in the list.
Originally Posted By: tropic
BTW, most people think Shell's detergent additives are amines...
That's what they mean by "Nitrogen enriched".
The only BP fuel that is Top Tier is the top grade: the others are NOT Top Tier. All of Shell fuels are Top Tier, which, from what I understand, means they clean valves, etc. much better than otherwise.
In order to be labelled "Top Tier" ALL commercial grades of a marketer's gasoline must meet Top Tier standards. If BP gas is Top Tier, then their regular, mid-grade and premium will be Top Tier. Btw, I haven't checked the Top Tier website lately but last time I checked BP wasn't included in the list.
Originally Posted By: tropic
BTW, most people think Shell's detergent additives are amines...
That's what they mean by "Nitrogen enriched".
I meant that when I called BP to ask all about what their scene is about being Top Tier, they said that their premium can be classified as Top Tier, but the lower grades can't.
Originally Posted By: BertWhitaker
I meant that when I called BP to ask all about what their scene is about being Top Tier, they said that their premium can be classified as Top Tier, but the lower grades can't.
They told me just the opposite in an email:
Thank you for your inquiry. The additive dosage in all BP gasolines with Invigorate exceeds Top Tier requirements and is designed to clean up deposits left behind from the use of gasoline that contain only minimum detergent. BP does not participate in the Top Tier program. Top Tier was developed by several automotive companies. BP believes that consumer interests are best served when the automotive and oil
industries work cooperatively to determine the optimal mix of vehicle hardware and fuel standards.
Try BP gasoline with Invigorate. It helps cars run younger for longer!
I meant that when I called BP to ask all about what their scene is about being Top Tier, they said that their premium can be classified as Top Tier, but the lower grades can't.
They told me just the opposite in an email:
Thank you for your inquiry. The additive dosage in all BP gasolines with Invigorate exceeds Top Tier requirements and is designed to clean up deposits left behind from the use of gasoline that contain only minimum detergent. BP does not participate in the Top Tier program. Top Tier was developed by several automotive companies. BP believes that consumer interests are best served when the automotive and oil
industries work cooperatively to determine the optimal mix of vehicle hardware and fuel standards.
Try BP gasoline with Invigorate. It helps cars run younger for longer!
Typical PR responce when what they sell does not meet the tests requirments for a top tier fuel. Very probably very good fuel but, I won't pay their priemum price if it don't pass the test. BP is about 3 to 6 cents higher in all grades comared to top tier fuel like Shell, Chevron and Texico.
Take a look here: http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html
THOSE are what 'top tier' fuels are. You pay to get on the list. Lots of the good brands don't give a darn. BP isn't on the list, but they said they pass all the 'top tier' tests.
It all depends on the station, to me. BP, Shell, Texaco... they are all different around my area. I know the ones that make my truck run like a new one..
BTW, wouldn't you think Mobil/Exxon would be on the list? Or am I missing something? If they are on the list... FINE! But just because they aren't doesn't mean anything... because 'Top Tier' is a company, not a type of fuel.
THOSE are what 'top tier' fuels are. You pay to get on the list. Lots of the good brands don't give a darn. BP isn't on the list, but they said they pass all the 'top tier' tests.
It all depends on the station, to me. BP, Shell, Texaco... they are all different around my area. I know the ones that make my truck run like a new one..
BTW, wouldn't you think Mobil/Exxon would be on the list? Or am I missing something? If they are on the list... FINE! But just because they aren't doesn't mean anything... because 'Top Tier' is a company, not a type of fuel.
How come the conversation ended? Top Tier being just a company and not really having meaning broke some people's hearts? JK, but seriously, what do you think about 'Top Tier' now? I believe it's good to have tests that stations can pass, and if they say 'top tier' certified, then it's good.
But just because it doesn't have it, doesn't really mean it couldn't qualify to be a 'Top Tier' fuel.
But just because it doesn't have it, doesn't really mean it couldn't qualify to be a 'Top Tier' fuel.
Why would I pay a premium price for a brand that will not submit their fuel for testing? PR that says -O our gas meets or exceeds the test is meaningless IMO.
BP/Amoco has a excellent reputation as a high quality brand of fuel. I rank all their grades as highly as Shell or Chevron, especially with BP/Amoco's new Invigorate additive package. Ford's reccomendation of BP gasolines is in part to the high level of consistant quality and detergent effectivness.
Just because BP decided at this time not to participate in the Top-Tier program, doesn't mean their fuels aren't every bit as good as Shell or Chevron et al.
"We believe our new gasoline offer is unique and all grades of BP gasoline with Invigorate exceed the Top Tier requirements with respect to detergent additive content."
Just because BP decided at this time not to participate in the Top-Tier program, doesn't mean their fuels aren't every bit as good as Shell or Chevron et al.
"We believe our new gasoline offer is unique and all grades of BP gasoline with Invigorate exceed the Top Tier requirements with respect to detergent additive content."
It's based on a certain maximum amount of deposits from the fuel in the engine...doesn't matter the fuel formulation, just don't exceed a deposit level in a specific test, IIRC.
Is that fact? I didn't read their whole website. Looks like a gimmick for now. Maybe it will catch on and more companies will be paying to have their name on the list.
Until then, I don't care if BP/Amoco and Mobil/Exxon aren't on the list. That makes the list look like a joke, imo. Shows that the Top Tier company isn't as important as touted.
"Top Tier"... [censored], I wish I thought of that company name first. Now people think only certain fuels are 'top tier', when in reality, I guarantee there are fuels not on the list that will outperform fuels on the list. BP with Invigorate. Best mpg and power I've had from gas, along with Shell V-Power and Texaco with techron (I know the last two are on the list).
Until then, I don't care if BP/Amoco and Mobil/Exxon aren't on the list. That makes the list look like a joke, imo. Shows that the Top Tier company isn't as important as touted.
"Top Tier"... [censored], I wish I thought of that company name first. Now people think only certain fuels are 'top tier', when in reality, I guarantee there are fuels not on the list that will outperform fuels on the list. BP with Invigorate. Best mpg and power I've had from gas, along with Shell V-Power and Texaco with techron (I know the last two are on the list).
Originally Posted By: Jaymus
Maybe from some off brand store, but BP states on their website that they 'assure us' all grades pass the 'TopTier' tests.
Okay, so fill 'er up with BP. I don't think anyone really cares what someone else chooses to put in their tank. It's info, take it or leave it...
Cheers
Maybe from some off brand store, but BP states on their website that they 'assure us' all grades pass the 'TopTier' tests.
Okay, so fill 'er up with BP. I don't think anyone really cares what someone else chooses to put in their tank. It's info, take it or leave it...
Cheers
Some will pull this,put water in their gas.One gas station did this in my area and got caught doing this years ago.The E85 will also vaporize the newer fuel systems and I read about one on another message board.
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