What is "Top Tier" Gasoline and Why Should You Use It?

Where do you buy your gas? Do you have loyalties based on location, cost, or brand? Do you choose to purchase your fuel with any thought to how its additives can help to keep your engine clean? I recently attended a presentation at the Phoenix Automotive Press Association, given by Jens Mueller-Belau of Shell Oil. It was fascinating. We ate pasta and learned about dreaded engine "gunk," and how gasoline detergents can help clean the gooey carbon deposits left behind as part of the engine's fuel combustion process.

A while back, six of the world's top automakers (BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen and Audi) determined that current EPA minimum detergent requirements don't go far enough to ensure optimal engine performance. Even though minimum additive performance standards were first established by EPA in 1995, many gasoline brands have actually reduced the concentration level of detergent additive in their gasoline by up to 50%. So they established the concept of endorsing specific companies that provide Top-Tier fuels to ensure optimal performance in their vehicles.

Comments

[Mich From Cool Gifts]

Wow,

I never heard about this type of gasoline.

Thanks for mentioning

[Sneakers55]

As to the question about why Exxon doesn't qualify as a Top Tier Gas, I have my suspicions. In comparison to the other Big Five oil companies (Chevron/Texaco, BP/ARCO, Shell, Conoco/Phillips 66/76) Exxon and Mobil promise very little. The only thing XOM claims to do is meet ASTM D 4814, "Standard Specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel."

[Brandy S]

I don't recall the exact details, but being designated as a "top tier" fuel is related to the actual "recipe" of the fuel and the amount of additives and detergents each manufacturer adds to the fuel, IN EXCESS of the minimum government requirements. At the time of this publication (September 2007), Exxon was not participating in the program.

[Big Stevie]

I use Chevron and my wife prefers Shell. We both use Super Unleaded, and have suffered no expensive mechanical problems for over twenty years. I'm just curious, but why doesn't Exxon qualify as a top-tier gas?

[BrandyS]

According to Shell advertisements for its V-Power with Techron fuel (http://tinyurl.com/6f9x6s) "Shell V-Power has a high level of cleaning agents that can remove build-up. The cleaning agents in Shell V-Power help remove deposits from the engine’s intake valves and fuel injectors each time the vehicle is driven. Shell V-Power actively cleans for better performance."

[prizm]

Will using top tier gasoline undo the damage of prior non-use, i.e., reverse the 'gunk' buildup? If so, to what extent?