Regular or Premium Gasoline Required?
12-11-21, 05:07 PM
#166
12-12-21, 05:17 AM
#167
Use "Top Tier Gas" and don't worry about it. Shell, Mobil, Costco, Chevron, Sinclair. They have the best additives to keep your engine clean.
12-12-21, 06:11 AM
#168
Many people don’t understand what Premium fuel does. It effects the burn rate in order to reduce/eliminate pre-detonation. In simple terms, it slows down the burning of the fuel (real simple terms). What that means to the buyer is that unless the engine needs it to eliminate pre-detonation, it is slowing down the burn needlessly and actually can reduce performance and economy. While the effects may not even be noticeable, the effect on your wallet is real. You are spending extra money needlessly.
Last edited by jjscsix; 12-12-21 at 06:16 AM.
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redhot47fl (12-12-21)
12-12-21, 06:35 AM
#169
What you say is very interesting jj. Do you have insight to the gasoline industry? Are you a chemical engineer? Give us some of your background because you sound very knowledgeable.
12-12-21, 03:37 PM
#170
None of the above. I’ve been a gear head for over 50 years. I’ve owned a lot of very fast cars, motorcycles and boats. I did some amateur motorcycle road racing, drag raced some Corvettes, and occasional autocrossing. I’ve just read a lot. I try not to post information that I have not researched from multiple sources and that stands the test of time. I’m not always right though.
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12-12-21, 08:27 PM
#171
Hey it's ok jj, I don't know anything either.
12-13-21, 01:48 AM
#172
Just be aware that not being a Top Tier member does not mean your gasoline is not as good, it just means they have not paid their dues to join.
Many people don’t understand what Premium fuel does. It effects the burn rate in order to reduce/eliminate pre-detonation. In simple terms, it slows down the burning of the fuel (real simple terms). What that means to the buyer is that unless the engine needs it to eliminate pre-detonation, it is slowing down the burn needlessly and actually can reduce performance and economy. While the effects may not even be noticeable, the effect on your wallet is real. You are spending extra money needlessly.
Many people don’t understand what Premium fuel does. It effects the burn rate in order to reduce/eliminate pre-detonation. In simple terms, it slows down the burning of the fuel (real simple terms). What that means to the buyer is that unless the engine needs it to eliminate pre-detonation, it is slowing down the burn needlessly and actually can reduce performance and economy. While the effects may not even be noticeable, the effect on your wallet is real. You are spending extra money needlessly.
Octane rating affects the fuel/air burn rate, as stated. Top Tier is a standard for detergent additives content. Octane rating and the Top Tier standard are unrelated. Top Tier is more than a financial gambit:
https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...h-extra-price/
12-13-21, 05:29 AM
#173
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
The results showed that on average, Top Tier gasoline had 19 times fewer carbon deposits on injectors, intake valves, and in the combustion chamber when compared to regular gasoline.
AAA also found Top Tier gasoline can have a cleansing effect, reducing intake valve deposits by 45 to 72 percent when used over a 5,000-mile interval. Variation in the results is attributed to the detergents used by different brands.
Further, analyzing gas prices over a 12-month period found just a three cent price difference between non-Top Tier and Top Tier gasoline.
Bottom line: For the nominal investment, this study shows that motorists would benefit from using Top Tier gasoline as their primary fuel.
AAA also found Top Tier gasoline can have a cleansing effect, reducing intake valve deposits by 45 to 72 percent when used over a 5,000-mile interval. Variation in the results is attributed to the detergents used by different brands.
Further, analyzing gas prices over a 12-month period found just a three cent price difference between non-Top Tier and Top Tier gasoline.
Bottom line: For the nominal investment, this study shows that motorists would benefit from using Top Tier gasoline as their primary fuel.
12-13-21, 06:26 AM
#174
Is there anything lower than 87? I don't think so. Has anyone's engine crapped out using 87? Not to my knowledge. Use whatever you like.
12-13-21, 08:02 AM
#175
agree, worth it.
I’d guess JJSCsix was meaning there are still good gas brands that aren’t on on the top tier list. For example I noticed BP dropped off the list this year for some reason, but most conjecture is happened due to a licensing gap, not that they changed their gas detergent mix.
I’d guess JJSCsix was meaning there are still good gas brands that aren’t on on the top tier list. For example I noticed BP dropped off the list this year for some reason, but most conjecture is happened due to a licensing gap, not that they changed their gas detergent mix.
12-13-21, 09:32 AM
#176
BTW, those who have said recently in this thread that higher octane prevents preignition and Top Tier is a fee-based licensing program are correct. Lots of free education is available on YT and the web. I suggest Jason Fenske's Engineering Explained series and the FAQ on the Top Tier site.
Last edited by bamalam; 12-16-21 at 12:37 PM.
12-20-21, 05:23 AM
#177
Driver School Candidate
My 2017 RX manual states “mid grade or higher”. I use midgrade. Per the thread I have noticed hesitation in acceleration sometimes but I think that is a common problem overall. If someone knows different please advise.
12-21-21, 07:13 AM
#178
I wasn't aware of the Top Tier gas country club dues, and was curious why BP wasn't included anymore which is my vehicle drink of choice.
Thanks to all that chimed in on this fact.
Thanks to all that chimed in on this fact.
12-21-21, 01:55 PM
#179
I found a funny thing about BP and their Top Tier license on Bob The Oil Guy: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/bp-no-longer-top-tier.346969/.
Post #4 in that thread shows BP's FAQ entry regarding Top Tier from earlier this year, and what the current FAQ says. They were enthusiastic before, and now claim to be better. My bet is the only thing that changed is the end of their license fee payments....