Gasoline - Top Tier for 2024

jmc921 said:

Most of what I’m reading about 87, 89 and 91 makes no sense. The difference in these fuels is their resistance to knock. All of the fuel grades from a particular brand have the same detergent levels. The idea that “blended 89” is the worst of both worlds is just plain foolish. Having too high an octane rating (91 when you only need 87 or 89) only means you will not see any benefit in power from the higher octane gas. There will not be any increase in “deposits” since it will burn just as completely as the lower octane gas. Bottom line, you should feel more power with the Hemi using 89 instead of 87 but there shouldn’t be any difference in wear or deposits.

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markabby said:

Strange but the new Shell gas station that just opened a few months ago does NOT have the Top Tier logo on their pumps.

So, not all Shell stations are Top Tier fuels?

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Curmudgeon said:

I seem to recall reading right here, somewhere, that Sunoco did not have the stickers either. They said all their gas was top tier, always was, and always would be. They said there were no certs or testing or verifying that any gas was top tier, and the sticker wasn't worth the cost.

The 2 Sunoco stations near me do not have any Top Tier stickers, but I have always thought Sunoco was one of the better fuels.
Like Shell, Exxon, Chevron, etc.

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HEMIMANN said:

Sunoco is on the Top Tier Certification list for 2024.

I've read the requirements specs a couple of times and have not seen a requirement to post the Top Tier Certified label. Why wouldn't they, is the question. Maybe a 'shortage' of labels, now? lol

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KansasArt said:

I think it boils down to economics. I bet 99% of consumers don’t know what Top Tier gas is. There is a family owned BP near me that’s an old fashioned gas station. Wife works the register, husband/mechanic works the 2 bay shop. They just had to replace the pumps because they couldn’t be upgraded anymore. $25 grand per pump. They eliminated 2 pumps because volume is way down over the years. She said it began when grocery stores started selling cheaper quality gas at $.02 to $.05 less per gallon. People just look for the cheapest gas, quality be damned.

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Goblue said:

I gotta be honest. This is all new to me reference the “ Top tier” gas thing. I thought ALL gas had to meet the same requirements, based on their respective actuating etc. I had no idea I was possibly getting ****** gas at Walmart, Costco, etc? WTF!!!

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grizzstang said:

Interesting that link considers Costco Top Tier gas. I just assumed it was garbage for the price they sell it and haven't they been busted for adding extra ethanol?

Also, I assumed that Esso and Petro Canada was Top Tier in Canada and they are not even mentioned in the link.

I avoid Shell as they don't sell Mid-grade anymore and their prices are usually the highest around.

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jmc921 said:

Most of what I’m reading about 87, 89 and 91 makes no sense. The difference in these fuels is their resistance to knock. All of the fuel grades from a particular brand have the same detergent levels. The idea that “blended 89” is the worst of both worlds is just plain foolish. Having too high an octane rating (91 when you only need 87 or 89) only means you will not see any benefit in power from the higher octane gas. There will not be any increase in “deposits” since it will burn just as completely as the lower octane gas. Bottom line, you should feel more power with the Hemi using 89 instead of 87 but there shouldn’t be any difference in wear or deposits.

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big tom said:

My wife drives a 2009 300c coming from a Cadillac with a Northstar. First thing she did when she got it in 2009 was to pull out the Manuel and look for recommended fuel. 87 octane it what it says and it also reads using higher octane will result in performance loss. So I'm taking it they want a hotter burn because as octane rating go up the cooler the fuel burns. So yes I agree with you!.

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HEMIMANN said:

And so, tell us how a molecule of 87 octane gasoline and a molecule of 91 octane gasoline magically combust like a molecule of 89 octane gasoline.

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HEMIMANN said:

If the gas brand is on the published Top Tier List, the retailer submitted test results performed by an independent test facility that the Top Tier Committee deemed credible.

The fuel is Top Tier. The question we don't know about is if or how this is enforced. I have seen it estimated the cost of the extra detergent additive to go from minimum required API level to Top Tier level is app. 2 - 3 cents per gallon.

We all know that's a big deal to the average penny wise pound foolish public person. The goal is to get people to come for bare bones gas then into the store for 400% marked up Twinkies.

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big tom said:

Simple. A lot of gas stations don't stock all the octane blends. We have some stations that have 87 89 91 93 it's blended at the pump to the octane you have selected at the pump. And with random certification by the state. If you look at a pump theres a certification tag on it with a date.

Pretty much all gas comes from the same place,The refinery to a tank farm/ jobber. They bring the gas in and it delivered by truck to the station whether the jobber drops the additive in for that brand (Shell BP etc) or not is really a Mystery. Shell doesn't have a tanker drive from the refinery directly to their stations. Its all the same gas, All the brands except for additives if the jobber ads them when the tanker is filled before heading to the gas station.

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big tom said:

Simple. A lot of gas stations don't stock all the octane blends. We have some stations that have 87 89 91 93 it's blended at the pump to the octane you have selected at the pump. And with random certification by the state. If you look at a pump theres a certification tag on it with a date.

Pretty much all gas comes from the same place,The refinery to a tank farm/ jobber. They bring the gas in and it delivered by truck to the station whether the jobber drops the additive in for that brand (Shell BP etc) or not is really a Mystery. Shell doesn't have a tanker drive from the refinery directly to their stations. Its all the same gas, All the brands except for additives if the jobber ads them when the tanker is filled before heading to the gas station.

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