It sounds like there are benefits beyond the octane boost.
So, Top Tier premium is better than Top Tier regular after all?
- Thread starter mojoe
- Start date
- Status
I came to that conclusion based on the results of using Quik Trip 87 octane fuel (Top Tier certified) and Amsoil Signature Series, having a lot of carbon deposits in my oil filter media, and switching to using Shell premium gasoline and HPL Premium Plus PCMO, which on the latest OCI, the oil filter media showed minimal carbon deposits.
Chip Hewette joins Lake in this video and talks about his own testing at Afton showing how motor oil makes it from the sump to the back of intake valves on GDI engines (~8:40 timestamp in video) via the PCV system.
Here is a link to the Top Tier deposit control performance standard revision H (April 2026) which goes into detail the requirements and ASTM testing standards for Top Tier certification.
A big takeaway from the video is that using high quality motor oil and premium, Top Tier gasoline on a GDI engine helps mitigate deposits.
Chip Hewette joins Lake in this video and talks about his own testing at Afton showing how motor oil makes it from the sump to the back of intake valves on GDI engines (~8:40 timestamp in video) via the PCV system.
Here is a link to the Top Tier deposit control performance standard revision H (April 2026) which goes into detail the requirements and ASTM testing standards for Top Tier certification.
A big takeaway from the video is that using high quality motor oil and premium, Top Tier gasoline on a GDI engine helps mitigate deposits.
Two weeks before LSJR came out with this video, I posted the comparison of my oil filter media after running 87 octane Top Tier gasoline from Quik Trip using Amsoil Signature Series and the first run using HPL and Shell Premium.
As mentioned in the video, premium gasoline uses higher concentrations of additives than regular. Shell also adds friction modifiers to their V-Power Nitro+ premium gasoline.
Hardly a scientific test. Driving conditions for each cannot be exactly duplicated so your test isn't worth a hill of beans to me. Wouldn't you think if high test did all those things you claim, the gas companies would be boasting those claims? If it were true, it would surely increase sales of those high test gasolines?
Patman
Staff member
That’s why I like Costco gas. Costco uses the same high level of detergents in their 87 as they do in their premium. I don’t know of any other brand besides them that do that. Everyone else wants you to spring for premium in order to get the highest level of detergents
Premium cost is higher and the added $ for the added detergent is built in to the increase. A 12 year old TV news story sent gas in for testing to a lab, reg vs premium. The outcome was a nice bump up of detergents in premium. MAYBE because..............it is called "Premium" and you sure are paying more for it?
Didn't claim anything about it was scientific. Just my observations. Do what you want with your beans, and I'll do what I want with mine.
I'm pretty sure there's a ton of marketing surrounding many brands and how their premium fuels are better. Can't say if it's working or not, but good companies don't usually continue to throw money on advertising that isn't effective.
dnewton3
Staff member
Thead locked.
Topic already ongoing about this video in another thread.
Topic already ongoing about this video in another thread.
- Status
Similar threads
