Top tier gas : Healthier for your car ...

[Hershey]

http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2016/07/07/some-gasolines-are-healthier-for-your-car-aaa-says.html .

[tmontague]

I always fill up w/ either Shell or Esso. A few months ago I tried gas at a Husky that was 9 cents cheaper/liter and I got about 100km less on my tank under comparable driving. Never again.

Apparently up here Esso and Shell are top tier gas

[WeeYari]

A few months ago I tried gas at a Husky that was 9 cents cheaper/liter and I got about 100km less on my tank under comparable driving.

My main filling stations are:

Shell - Winston/Argentia
7 Eleven - Georgetown
Husky - 401 near London

Along with various Pioneer, Esso, Costco and many others, I've not experienced any real noticeable difference in mpg. I do stay away from non-branded stations unless absolutely necessary.

[Kalispel]

http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2016/07/07/some-gasolines-are-healthier-for-your-car-aaa-says.html .

I hit the same SHELL filling station every Friday after work for my weekly fill-up (6 gallons per week). I went ahead and obtained a SHELL Gas Card about the same time that I bought my Yari in 2015, since it is the only station that I ever go to any more (I'm a creature of habit/routine in most things), and makes budgeting/paying my gas expenses more convenient each month.

[Deathegg]

For me, it's not the mpg issue. It's a well-known issue on Yari that if you use a lower-tier gas (no name gas, or some cheap brand), there won't be enough cleaning additives in the fuel to keep the sender clean, and you'll end up with a gas gauge that doesn't function properly. I use either Chevron or Shell, and if I HAVE to use a lower gas, I make sure I top up with good gas after.

[bronsin]

Definitely you don't want cheap gas in your car or there will be problems!

I'm running She'll now. Wife uses Valero.

[Hershey]

We too use VALERO , the 91 w/o E . The 89 is E5 and the 87 E10 . The 91 is at a reasonable price for now . Not many non E or Top Tier or both for carriers in the region .

[Hershey]

The TOP TIER report is originally from A.A.A. and more detailed . May want to take a look at it . http://newsroom.aaa.com/2016/07/aaa-not-gasoline-created-equal/

[BLKHILLSGUY]

I'm disappointed to see Sam's Club gas isn't listed as top tier. However, Costco is on its way in our area. Can't happen soon enough. Not a Walmart fan.

[Hershey]

Here's the original 34 page results of TOP TIER gas from A.A.A. https://s3.amazonaws.com/associationcommunicationfiles/PDF/Fuel-Quality-Full-Report-FINAL-1.pdf .

[Viperoni]

I always fill up w/ either Shell or Esso. A few months ago I tried gas at a Husky that was 9 cents cheaper/liter and I got about 100km less on my tank under comparable driving. Never again.

Apparently up here Esso and Shell are top tier gas

I used to get the same mileage on Husky 87 as any other 87 octane gas when I still had my Echo, and I get the same mileage on Husky 91 as I do on any other 91 or 94 octane gas on my current car. Even the 91 from the truck stop Husky by 401/Dixie.

[jambo101]

Here in Montreal i see no signs on gas stations proclaiming they provide this top tier gasoline.Odd that this top tier gasoline being highly touted as superior to ordinary gasoline that they wouldnt advertise the fact that they are a designated provider of this super deluxe top tier gasoline.:confused:
I have no brand loyalty and just fill my car with gas at whatever gas station is convenient when i need gas.

[rningonfumes]

Been doing Costco for the most part lately.

[Ranger SVO]

A list of top tier retailers can be found here

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers/

I only use top tier fuels in my vehicles, in fact, my 2013 Hyundai Sonata actually specifies that top tier fuel should be used (its in the owners manual).

[Kalispel]

One of the numerous pitfalls of buying a used vehicle, without a very in-depth inspection of the subsystems, is that you usually don't know what type of gas the previous owner(s) might have used. :frown:

[Hershey]

A list of top tier retailers can be found here

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers/

I only use top tier fuels in my vehicles, in fact, my 2013 Hyundai Sonata actually specifies that top tier fuel should be used (its in the owners manual).

The owner's manual for the 11 Fit we have also states the use of Top Tier. Try to get Valero thats TT gas.

[07liftback]

I've switched from using only Chevron gas to Costco gas now since my mpg stayed the same with either one. I tried 76 a couple years ago and my mpg tanked, we're talking a 20-30% decrease in mpg and the car just felt super sluggish overall. I see why all the 76 gas stations in my area are always empty now...

[SirDigby]

wow! there is still a few texico stations out there!
I mostly look at the age of the station. the newer it is, the newer the fuel tanks are...

[Cartel]

I filled up at CO-OP and my power sucked.
Never again

[B.B._07]

I filled up at CO-OP and my power sucked.
Never again


Well I guess you can blame Top tier gas. :rolleyes:

All grades of Co-op High Performance Gasoline are Top Tier Certified and are available at all Co-op Gas Bar locations in Western Canada.

http://coopfuel.ca/wps/portal/crs/coop/fuel/consumer/detail/6bab6139-6af7-4510-8ec8-32d900432258


In Canada, Chevron Canada, Petro Canada, Shell Canada, Esso, Tempo, CO-OP, and most recently Costco Wholesale, have attained the designation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Tier_Detergent_Gasoline

[kimona]

^^^ So, you think top-tier gas is to blame? That's interesting.

[B.B._07]

^^^ So, you think top-tier gas is to blame? That's interesting.

Note the rolls eyes emoji indicates sarcasm. I do think that many people over think and show too much brand loyalty when buying gasoline which is basically a commodity.

[kimona]

^^^ Okay. I get it now. Thanks.

I always make a point of buying top-tier gas for my cars. I just thought it was better for the motor and fuel economy.

[ern-diz]

If I'm not mistaken, Costco is top-tier. For what it's worth, I thought to try it when we got our membership, waited in a long line and although it was cheaper, I got less mpg that tank.

I tend to stick with Chevron.

[SirDigby]

so there is a less-than-3 year old Murphy's near my house that I always fill up at. it's cheap and convent. my father was talking about how terrible their fuel is, so I filled up at the shell for the last 2 weeks that's kind of a pain to get to and is all old and 80's.

my gas millage increased 4.6mpg (1.96km/l) I can't believe spending an extra dollar got me an extra 50 miles. I guess it's cheaper too...

[Hershey]

SUNOCO is becoming a Top Tier gas on April 1st . https://www.sunoco.com/quality-fuels/ultratech/

[Kalispel]

No complaints using Shell gasoline. I have been averaging 41.1 MPG for the last 1.5 years combined, even with the A/C running half of that time. Better than I was expecting when I purchased my Yari. :thumbsup:

[jambo101]

Is this top tier gas only available in the USA? as here in Canada theres no mention of it and most people here would be hard pressed to name a top tier station/brand or even describe what top tier means. One would think if this top Tier gas was superior in some way gas companies would be advertising such an advantage.:confused:

[tmontague]

I thought top tier was a North America thing, someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

I used to always use Shell and was happy with that, now that I moved to a different city I now use Esso since it's close and is top tier as was Shell.

[SirDigby]

In Canada, Chevron Canada, Petro Canada, Shell Canada, Esso, Tempo, CO-OP, and most recently Costco Wholesale, have attained the designation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Tier_Detergent_Gasoline

this lists a few in Canada

[Nu18F]

Here's more on the subject. I like the port injection of the Yaris over Gas Direct injection. GDI engines that delay the intake valve closing via variable valve timing just let's the gases back into the intake port with no chance of a fuel injector spray "upstream" to clean the back side of the intake valves.

https://www.aaa.com/AAA/common/AAR/files/Fuel-Quality-Full-Report.pdf

[SirDigby]

that is true, but also most GDI engines recommend using top tier fuels...
my fuel millage was up another 2.1 mpg last tank...

[Kaotic Lazagna]

http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/yaris/2008/07vios/544075

What I'm doing so far. I don't do advanced hypermiling techniques anymore either, I just stick with Shell (and when I need to, 76).

[kcanaj]

Does anyone buy gas at Sam's club locations, any issues?

[kimona]

^^^ I don't buy gas at Sam's Club because it's not top tier gas.

[07liftback]

I might be an outlier here but tried shell a few times since t-mobile Tuesdays had promotions for $0.25 off each gallon at shell.

I usually fill up at Costco but with shell, The torque felt about the same on my 5 speed yaris but my mpg dropped from 34mpg to 30mpg. I tried filling up at different shell stations with the same result. I can maintain about 34mpg with chevron gas but I just can't figure out why my mpg is much less with shell.

The 76 near my house produced the same results as well.

[Kalispel]

I might be an outlier here but tried shell a few times since t-mobile Tuesdays had promotions for $0.25 off each gallon at shell.

I usually fill up at Costco but with shell, The torque felt about the same on my 5 speed yaris but my mpg dropped from 34mpg to 30mpg. I tried filling up at different shell stations with the same result. I can maintain about 34mpg with chevron gas but I just can't figure out why my mpg is much less with shell.

The 76 near my house produced the same results as well.

I've used nothing but Shell station gas since I purchased my car two years ago, and I've been averaging 41 MPG combined over that time period.

[SirDigby]

I usually fill up at Costco but with shell,...my mpg dropped from 34mpg to 30mpg. I tried filling up at different shell stations with the same result. I can maintain about 34mpg with chevron gas but I just can't figure out why my mpg is much less with shell.
The 76 near my house produced the same results as well.

that's what i was getting with Murphy's. sounds like Shell is not mixed well in... where are you from? the "bay area?" is that the Chesapeake Bay? or maybe Monterey Bay? could it be Phang Nga Bay? i know there is users from Thailand. or maybe your in Prison, Guantanamo Bay?
What bay do you live in?

[Kaotic Lazagna]

I might be an outlier here but tried shell a few times since t-mobile Tuesdays had promotions for $0.25 off each gallon at shell.

I usually fill up at Costco but with shell, The torque felt about the same on my 5 speed yaris but my mpg dropped from 34mpg to 30mpg. I tried filling up at different shell stations with the same result. I can maintain about 34mpg with chevron gas but I just can't figure out why my mpg is much less with shell.

The 76 near my house produced the same results as well.

I've been using Shell since I got Dory (December last year). Before I switched wheels and tires, I was getting 43-45 mpg. After switching wheels and tires, it went down to 40-41 mpg. However, I'm not sure what Shell did, but my last tank dropped to 37 mpg. Tried Chevron (I used to use nothing but Chevron with my first Yaris), mpg was 41. I filled up with Shell again after, and I need to fill up again tomorrow, so I'll see what the calculations come out to. If it's lower than 40 mpg, then I can probably conclude that Shell did something with their formula here in the Bay Area.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

that's what i was getting with Murphy's. sounds like Shell is not mixed well in... where are you from? the "bay area?" is that the Chesapeake Bay? or maybe Monterey Bay? could it be Phang Nga Bay? i know there is users from Thailand. or maybe your in Prison, Guantanamo Bay?
What bay do you live in?

Bay Area encompasses the counties of the San Francisco Bay here in Northern California.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

40.76 mpg when I filled up yesterday. First bar disappeared at 91 miles, so it's on track for the regular mpg. It could have just been a bad batch of Shell in the Bay Area.

[bradbowl]

Before I switched wheels and tires, I was getting 43-45 mpg. After switching wheels and tires, it went down to 40-41 mpg.

Is this because you went with larger/heavier wheels? 5-10% decrease seems pretty significant. But the aesthetic appeal of nice wheels definitely is worth it. :)

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Is this because you went with larger/heavier wheels? 5-10% decrease seems pretty significant. But the aesthetic appeal of nice wheels definitely is worth it. :)

I think it has more to do with the fact that I replaced the factory tires...so they were dry, cracking, and had no grip. hahaha. So the new tires are grippier, so more friction, which leads to a drop of mpg. The new wheels and tires are probably only 3 lbs heavier than the 15" steelie and Goodyear combo.

[bradbowl]

I think it has more to do with the fact that I replaced the factory tires...so they were dry, cracking, and had no grip. hahaha. So the new tires are grippier, so more friction, which leads to a drop of mpg. The new wheels and tires are probably only 3 lbs heavier than the 15" steelie and Goodyear combo.

Ah, I gotcha. So moral of the story, if you want to boost your mileage, go with old tires. :wink:

There's a Tesoro gas station near me that carries E0 89 octane gas. This thread has got me interested in testing it out.

[dogsridewith]

On gen 2 Yaris, stock 15" tires roll 3.4% further than stock 14" tires. (per the nominal stock tire sizes, but not necessarily the actual tires) With same speedometer calibration, we think...but haven't confirmed. Tire comparator link on forum gives nominal height/circumference/revs-per-mile/whatever, but the actual tire models vary in height for the same size. Some specs don't give tire height. Worn tires are shorter. Good to run a string or skinny flexible tape measure around inflated tire center to know what you have and compare new vs. old, etc. And/or measure diameter.
I've given numbers for some 14" tires on other threads here.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Ah, I gotcha. So moral of the story, if you want to boost your mileage, go with old tires. :wink:

There's a Tesoro gas station near me that carries E0 89 octane gas. This thread has got me interested in testing it out.

:laugh:

I wouldn't waste money on middle grade octane. But give it a shot or two and see how it performs.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Just filled up yesterday. 45.65 mpg. Woot. haha.

[B.B._07]

I think it has more to do with the fact that I replaced the factory tires...so they were dry, cracking, and had no grip. hahaha. So the new tires are grippier, so more friction, which leads to a drop of mpg. The new wheels and tires are probably only 3 lbs heavier than the 15" steelie and Goodyear combo.

Car manufacturers are very careful to pick tires that have very low rolling resistance to maximize the printed fuel economy and drive up their overall fleet CAFE numbers. When people buy replacement tires they're usually more concerned with high thread life, good drip in snow and rain, and overall value. If you want maximum mpg's buy tires that are labelled low rolling resistance (LLR) or eco-focused.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Car manufacturers are very careful to pick tires that have very low rolling resistance to maximize the printed fuel economy and drive up their overall fleet CAFE numbers. When people buy replacement tires they're usually more concerned with high thread life, good drip in snow and rain, and overall value. If you want maximum mpg's buy tires that are labelled low rolling resistance (LLR) or eco-focused.

oh, I knew that. lol

The tires I chose to replace the Eagle LS on the Yaris were the General Tire Altimax RT43. It ranked 2nd best in fuel economy tests in its class according to Tire Rack's tests, and ranked 4th overall in class. It was also the only grand touring all-season tire available in 195/50/16. I didn't want to go with 205/50/16, which was the narrowest that the other tires in its class came in.

[iA_b4_07HB]

Owners manuals from Toyota now all recommend Top Tier gas. The original standard for detergency levels was based on a very very early, not very demanding, BMW injection system, and was based on the relatively short emissions compliance period in non-California (and California compliant) states. I have never noticed any difference in mileage from any gasoline except E10 vs. "just gas".

I HAVE noticed smoother operations with midgrade or premium fuel. If your engine runs on premium in Europe, the odds are it will run better on premium over here. This is because modern ECM (engine control modules) are adaptive in terms of tuning to the fuel used. I think anything with a compression ratio over 9.5 to 1 will benefit; the knock sensor will kick in later and you'll get a little more power and a smoother driver experience. Also, most premium fuels include twice the detergents of regular.

Costco and Arco are both currently Top Tier, and are the ones I try to buy, since they are cheaper. Valero certainly isn't a budget gas, but they are Top Tier these days. Kwik Serve is no longer Top Tier IIRC.

[iA_b4_07HB]

I'm interested in the Altimaz RT43 for light snow. If you get any experience at Tahoe or Yosemite, please report back.

oh, I knew that. lol

The tires I chose to replace the Eagle LS on the Yaris were the General Tire Altimax RT43. It ranked 2nd best in fuel economy tests in its class according to Tire Rack's tests, and ranked 4th overall in class. It was also the only grand touring all-season tire available in 195/50/16. I didn't want to go with 205/50/16, which was the narrowest that the other tires in its class came in.

[iA_b4_07HB]

I didn't know no real gas (not E5 or E10 ethanol blend) was available in California. How do I confirm and who else is selling non-Ethanol gas?

We too use VALERO , the 91 w/o E . The 89 is E5 and the 87 E10 . The 91 is at a reasonable price for now . Not many non E or Top Tier or both for carriers in the region .

[dogsridewith]

USA/Canada 2007 Yaris owners manual: "Fuel Type: UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher."
Pump buttons are 87, 89 and 93. Unlabeled.
Octane rating numbers--which system on USA pump buttons?

"Top tier" does not appear in manual.
Is it thread drift or is their any connection...does top tier have anything to do with octane rating?

[NYC-SE]

North America uses a different method of calculating octane than Europe (and I believe the rest of the world as well). 87 here is equivalent to 91 there.

Top tier has nothing to do with octane ratings. It is a marketing term that means the fuel contains a certain amount of detergents.

[Captain Yaris]

I HAVE noticed smoother operations with midgrade or premium fuel. If your engine runs on premium in Europe, the odds are it will run better on premium over here. This is because modern ECM (engine control modules) are adaptive in terms of tuning to the fuel used. I think anything with a compression ratio over 9.5 to 1 will benefit; the knock sensor will kick in later and you'll get a little more power and a smoother driver experience. Also, most premium fuels include twice the detergents of regular.

Costco and Arco are both currently Top Tier, and are the ones I try to buy, since they are cheaper. Valero certainly isn't a budget gas, but they are Top Tier these days. Kwik Serve is no longer Top Tier IIRC.

I thought maybe I was just crazy, but my experience has been the same. I definitely feel as if the engine runs smoother. I’m not sure that I get a noticable power increase from running high octane but I’m guaranteed to run my best. Plus, I’m getting the best detergents with the higher octane. I have to admit, it does feel nutty filling up with 91 or 93 into a Yaris, but if that keeps my engine cleaner, so be it. In the old days, you would be limited by a set timing, but now ECU’s and variable timing have changed the game up and engines less likely to benefit from a higher octane fuel can now have some benefit.

[07liftback]

Just filled up yesterday. 45.65 mpg. Woot. haha.

Wow, so Shell still gets the best mpg? How far is your usual commute? I went from doing 12 miles to and from work to only 6 miles and my mpg went from 34mpg to 28-30mpg. Then again I go through more city roads with the shorter trip as well. I might give Chevron or Shell another shot to see how it compares to Costco. I'm also running my tires at 38psi in the front and 42psi in the rear while driving relatively conservative.

[dogsridewith]

I think USA pumps say their numbers are (R+M)/2? As such is the 87 regular what the manual says is OK for the Yaris?

(USA/Canada 2007 Yaris owners manual: "Fuel Type: UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher."
Pump buttons are 87, 89 and 93. Unlabeled.
Octane rating numbers--which system on USA pump buttons?)