Companies supplying top-tier gasoline in the USA and Canada
 

After suffering from engine performance problems that were probably caused by bad gas, I started using Shell V-Power. After four tanks, the problem seems to have gone away. I had been buying my premium fuel at independent stations.

From now on, I will only buy gasoline conforming to Top Tier detergent standards.

TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is the premier standard for gasoline performance. Five automakers, BMW, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota developed the standards for Top Tier, which requires higher concentrations of detergents.

Since the minimum additive performance standards were first established by EPA in 1995, most gasoline marketers have actually reduced the concentration level of detergent additive in their gasoline by up to 50%. As a result, the ability of a vehicle to maintain stringent Tier 2 emission standards have been hampered, leading to engine deposits which can have a big impact on in-use emissions and driver satisfaction.
These automakers have raised the bar. TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline help drivers avoid lower quality gasoline which can leave deposits on critical engine parts, which reduces engine performance. That's something both drivers and automakers want to avoid.


Major TOP TIER Gasoline Retailers:

Chevron
Conoco
Exxon
Mobil
Shell
Texaco

The complete list can be found at toptiergas.com

Mobil used to not be on this list despite meeting requirements. I wrote them to ask why and apparently the fuel manufacturers must pay to prove they meet the requirements and at that time Mobil would not make such payments. I probably received their ''legal counsel'' answer but the fact is other fuels may meet the top tier requirement but not be officially top tier. Just an FYI.

Interesting, but it safe to assume that the independent stations do not meet the standard.

Note that Chevron and Texaco are different regional names for the same company. I always make a point of using top-tier gas. Some people will argue the point about the quality, but the fact is I get better mileage which compensates for the higher cost, so I figure I win either way.

I only put Shell in my Evo, though I've used Chevron on a few occasions if I couldn't find a Shell. I hear 76 is pretty good too.

Ferrari and Shell promoting each other a bit is a good sign.

I've only been putting V POWER in my fr-s. No problems here!

Ill admit it, I too am a Shell fanboy!

I heard somewhere on here that Shell gas removes crickets while other gas show no effect so what does that say about Shell?

I also only use Shell V-Power. I've always used Shell with my past cars and I have never encountered any problems.

I use Shell because it is convenient. But I have no evidence that V-Power is superior to the other Tier One gas suppliers. In fact, Shell has a history of penny-pinching in many areas of the company that should make any buyer of their products somewhat skeptical.

Dumb question...how about Kroger gas?

Well this sucks. Any top tier gas station around me is a good 15-20 minute drive (probably worth it in this car) but the area is saturated with those independent tiny gas stations. Been filling up at a local independent station but today I went to Exxon and filled up (closest to me of the top tier stations) and noticed a difference. Maybe it's placebo, maybe it was actually a difference, who knows. Surprisingly enough, the Exxon was 10 cents cheaper than the local station :thumbsup:

Another V-Power user here! I think I lost my crickets too, but they weren't that loud to begin with. I don't have any numbers on improved mileage, but I do get an average of 28 mpg so I can't complain and my lead foot is happy too.

considering that some kroger places in my area offer E85, I'd like to say their premuim is great lol.

Those aren't top tier fuels. None of them are if they come from a gas pump at a public fuel station. They all come from the same distribution networks (refineries, pipelines, trucks), and only contain different additives/detergents.

VP-Racing, Sunoco Racing Fuels, ERC, Philips-B are a few that come to mind. You'll find them at a local dragstrip.

Alternatively you can blend your own fuel (I do this for my crotch rocket when I take it to the drag strip):

1/2 Gal Xylene
1/2 Gal Toluene
1Tbsp ATF (Auto Trans Fluid)

Either route is outrageously expensive.. but worth it. Even 1 gallon of my X/Y mix (as I call it) in a half tank or less will boost your net octane pretty considerably. Also, don't even get a single DROP of this stuff on your paint.

Hey der House, did you read der description of what a top tier fuel is? Not talking about race gas.

Yep, I read it. I personally think any commercial gasoline is utter shit, especially in these here United States, as we have such stringent regulatory requirements that it forces refineries to put out gasoline that you can barely label as gasoline. Ask me how I know... one of my best friends is an organic chemist that runs a small scale research fractional distillation refinery.

FWIW BMW enthusiasts generally swear by Shell and Chevron, with ever-so-slight preference for the latter. I do go out of my way to fill up at top-tier gas stations, but I mostly use Chevron because (a) there's a station that's convenient for me, (b) they're just about the only one that still gives free air, (c) in my area they're generally as much as 10 cents cheaper than Shell (second-most convenient).

It's not all exactly terrible.. I don't imagine Canada is a LOT different but Chevron and Shell do have a superior product here whereas the rest is basically crap.

If anything we have too low of refining standards.

I have been going to the same Sunoco station for 4 years if I can.

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I use V-Power mainly for a few reasons
1) Parents always use Shell, so I do to out of respect for them
2) Shells are everywhere

V-POwer does not remove crickets for me.

I just filled up today (I was hoping to stretch the gas left in my tank through the gas price increase but the light came on this morning) in Costa Mesa, CA at $4.71 a gallon... boooo. But oddly the USA Gas (or US Gas, whatever it's called) is selling their super at $4.79, though this Shell station is known for selling premium a lot lower than a lot of other stations. It's not rare to see Ferraris and Lamborghinis there too, all while bums ask for money.

QFT^

They need to do that here. There's a Kroger with a gasoline station in every town. But I've never seen an E85 pump at one. :(

:lol: That's the definition of "Top Tier Gasoline." More detergents/additives. :bellyroll: Gasoline is nasty stuff. ;)

The difference between a bum and the average supercar owner is that one earns an honest living.

Did your friend explain why? Is it the blend, additives of questionable value, Armstronging of the tests?, filler material? Chemists usually have quite a specific idea.

When I finally get my FR-s, I'll be using Chevron. I've used Shell for all my previous cars, but noticed a couple times when I had to get Chevron, my gas milage seemed to have gone up slightly, and it felt much smoother to drive (on my 11' Lancer Ralliart).

In Canada it would be :

Shell
Petro-Canada
Esso
Chevron Canada

About 2 years ago, Irving was caught selling REGULAR gas in their PREMIUM tanks…and Irving sells gas to alot of the smaller guys around... How can that be an accident??? Seriously? I wonder how many employees have seen that happening and shut their mouth.

Now all I go for is the three I mentionned.

BP Ultimate

All I've been using since I bought my Evo in '08 is Exxon, not a fan of those independent gas stations, especially when half the time their card machines are busted.

Yeah i try to use shell at least once out of 3 fill ups..... I have been using QuickTrip Gas also if any of you have a quick trip in your area.... Never had problems with that gas but shell is def a need with our cars!