So called "top tier" gas more a gimmick??

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
No such thing, it all comes from the same pipe.

The key is to buy from a high volume station with good filters and tanks.



The key is what you mention and make sure you try and buy a top tier product if possible. Then you have all your bases covered.

If the TT is about the same price or less why wouldn't you buy it over the competition it is a no brainer. LOL except for those who have a stake in stations that don't have extra detergent in their products that meet TT standards.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
TT gas it not a scam. Just not something you will notice instantly. Long term it does provide benefits.

Here, it's the gas prices that are the scam.

Almost every station here is identically priced, and those that offer discounts, well, buyer beware. When the taxi fleet started moving from LPG to gasoline, I did run across a couple problems with cheap fuel.

I get two cents a litre off at the pump at Petro-Canada with my credit card, and that's Top Tier, so I have little incentive to go elsewhere. I have no desire to pay more for non-Top Tier.

 

[Bamaro]

Not sure what drives this anti Top Tier bias.

Its a set of detergency standards that members observe and others may or may not. If you want to be sure your gas meets the highest detergency standards, buy Top Tier. If you dont care, buy whatever brand or independent you want.
I buy Top Tier about 95% of the time.

 

[Maximus1966]

Originally Posted By: Bamaro
Not sure what drives this anti Top Tier bias.

Its a set of detergency standards that members observe and others may or may not. If you want to be sure your gas meets the highest detergency standards, buy Top Tier. If you dont care, buy whatever brand or independent you want.
I buy Top Tier about 95% of the time.


I don't think you will find anyone on here who is anti-Top Tier. The fact of the matter is that your so-called Top Tier Brand outlet frequently has to buy from whichever local distributor has supply. You think you are buying Top Tier 95% of the time when you most certainly are not. The logistics of distribution just don't allow it. There is no real testing or enforcement of the standards. If you have blind faith and actually feel that your are doing you or your vehicle some good, buy whatever suits you.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Maximus1966

The fact of the matter is that your so-called Top Tier Brand outlet frequently has to buy from whichever local distributor has supply. You think you are buying Top Tier 95% of the time when you most certainly are not. it.



Prove your claim.

Again it isn't the supply of base fuel that makes the fuel, TT, it is the detergent additives, and these are added at the fuel terminal. These companies risk FRAUD charges if the do not fulfill their obligations under the agreement as well as consumer fraud charges.

Max obviously must own or operate stations that are not top tier, and loses business as a result.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: Maximus1966

I don't think you will find anyone on here who is anti-Top Tier. The fact of the matter is that your so-called Top Tier Brand outlet frequently has to buy from whichever local distributor has supply. You think you are buying Top Tier 95% of the time when you most certainly are not. The logistics of distribution just don't allow it. There is no real testing or enforcement of the standards. If you have blind faith and actually feel that your are doing you or your vehicle some good, buy whatever suits you.


Pump testing has been done. Additives do vary by provider.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
No such thing, it all comes from the same pipe.

The key is to buy from a high volume station with good filters and tanks.



The key is what you mention and make sure you try and buy a top tier product if possible. Then you have all your bases covered.

If the TT is about the same price or less why wouldn't you buy it over the competition it is a no brainer. LOL except for those who have a stake in stations that don't have extra detergent in their products that meet TT standards.

I hit the find cheap gas button on my Iphone app and buy from whichever station is cheaper. Don't care about the brand.

Never noticed a difference.

 

[jim302]

Since it is impossible to know exactly where each independently owned station buys their gas from, I just try to buy from stations that have well maintained pumps and decent prices.

I'll avoid a gas station that frequently has a lot of pumps out of service, under the assumption that they aren't maintaining their equipment properly. I'll also avoid stations that have pumps which run very slowly (possible clogged filter) or way too quickly (possibly no filter).

When possible, I have been buying from Costco. It is rare to see a pump out of service there, and all evidence points to their equipment being maintained properly. They also sell a ton of gas, so I can be reasonably confident that it hasn't been sitting around. They now claim increased detergent additives... can't say I have noticed a difference (or any problems in the first place for that matter).

I would probably be more inclined to buy from a station that sold ethanol-free gas if there was one convenient to me.

 

[Maximus1966]

Originally Posted By: badtlc

Pump testing has been done. Additives do vary by provider.


How do you know? Who does the testing? What/Who enforces the standards? What additives? How much? How do the providers compare?

 

[Tdbo]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
No such thing, it all comes from the same pipe.

The key is to buy from a high volume station with good filters and tanks.



The key is what you mention and make sure you try and buy a top tier product if possible. Then you have all your bases covered.

If the TT is about the same price or less why wouldn't you buy it over the competition it is a no brainer. LOL except for those who have a stake in stations that don't have extra detergent in their products that meet TT standards.

I hit the find cheap gas button on my Iphone app and buy from whichever station is cheaper. Don't care about the brand.

Never noticed a difference.



+1. Only criteria that I add to that has already been mentioned: a clean, high-volume station.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Maximus1966
]

How do you know? Who does the testing? What/Who enforces the standards? What additives? How much? How do the providers compare?



Prove they don't do testing at retailers with spot checks.


Max, I guess you need to ask your fuel company to get their fuel Top Tier certified, so you stop losing business to those stations that do carry Top Tier gas detergent levels.

 

[Maximus1966]

antique, I sold my stores over 3 years ago, so you can drop the competition whine.

BTW, who is "they?"

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Maximus1966
antique, I sold my stores over 3 years ago, so you can drop the competition whine.

BTW, who is "they?"


Well, you sure do have an emotional stake it in from what I can tell.

 

[Maximus1966]

Emotional doesn't seem to fit for me...maybe you're looking in the mirror?

At any rate, I would be willing to bet that fewer than one percent of drivers/purchasers have heard of the term "Top Tier" so what we have here is the typical "tempest in a teapot."

 

[gaijinnv]

Originally Posted By: Maximus1966
Emotional doesn't seem to fit for me...maybe you're looking in the mirror?

At any rate, I would be willing to bet that fewer than one percent of drivers/purchasers have heard of the term "Top Tier" so what we have here is the typical "tempest in a teapot."


Toyota recommend Top Tier gas in their Owner's Manuals. I think Toyota represent more than 1% of the drivers/purchasers.

I have heard that other makers are also starting to recommend Top Tier gas in their Owner's Manuals.

Just sayin'

 

[Maximus1966]

Like antique, you fail to see the big picture. The vast majority of car owners have never looked at their owner's manual and never will. The average guy/gal out there is very unlike BITOGers.

Just sayin'

 

[antiqueshell]

Things are changing, the fact is that although those car owners might not look at the printed owner's manual they have the internet that will give them plenty of accurate information about their specific car model, heck, if not much more detailed info than any traditional printed manual ever could.

I do know that at delivery these days a LOT of salesmen will offer details such as this. I had a friend buy a Toyota in the past year and during delivery the salesman recommended that he use a Top Tier branded fuel if possible, although it wasn't absolutely necessary, also a lot of service departments are advising customers of this as well. After all if the price is about the same / the same as non TT fuel, you have nothing to lose and a cleaner fuel and emissions system to gain.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: Maximus1966
antique, I sold my stores over 3 years ago, so you can drop the competition whine.

BTW, who is "they?"


In Canada the federal government tests these things. If a retailer is caught selling fraudulent or fuel inconsistent with regulations or not as advertised the fines are enough to put a franchise out of business.
And now with the digital age tampering has become lore obvious and tougher to do.
Its comparable to how power meters are read. The readers are digital and the person only has to get close to the meter,and the meter sends a signal algorythm,which is read by the handheld,and sent via Bluetooth/wifi or satellite right to the power company.
Energy as a whole here in Canada has stringent gubment regs and franchisee's are policed by the parent company rigorously. Considering the fines and penalties potentially assessed cheating is a bad idea.
I remember the natives were selling lesser quality fuel,tampering etc and once discovered it was the end of the gas station

 

[andrewg]

I tend to only buy gas from newer stations and use name brands that I know have additives/detergents added to the product. So yes, I believe that there is such a thing as 'Top Tier'. My manual in my Honda also prefers I use only Top Tier gasoline. Gimmick? Lies? Half-truth? I don't know 100%.....but I'll keep doing what I'm doing.

 

[Maximus1966]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
After all if the price is about the same / the same as non TT fuel, you have nothing to lose and possibly a cleaner fuel and emissions system to gain.


Finally....we can agree on something!