When it comes to purchasing gas for your vehicle, we tend to do a lot of decision-making on autopilot, with most of it based on location and convenience. However, this method of gas shopping could be detrimental to your car engine.
While most fuel stops get their fuel from the same source, Top Tier stations use a specific formula with detergents, corrosion inhibitors and friction reducers to prolong the duration within your car motor.
In this useful guide, we explain what a Top Tier gas station is, and list the top five gas stations you can buy from. Let’s start with a quick list of the gas stations to select from.
The best quality gas stations are:
- Shell
- Costco
- Mobil
- Chevron
- Sinclair
Below in the article, you will find further detail on every gas station listed above. But first, let’s define the top-tier gas station.
What Is Top Tier Gas?
If you see Top Tier branding at a gas station, you can feel good knowing that the fuel met a certain level of performance. To qualify for the Top Tier brand, three items must be met:
- The company sells Top Tier fuel at all retail locations.
- All grades of gas also contain an approved detergent additive.
- The fuel does not have any organometallic additives that would harm the vehicle, such as MMT or ferrocene.
There are over fifty brands across the nation that meet Top Tier standards, so you probably have gas stations in the area. Should you go the extra mile to find these brands and spend the extra money if you have to? Yes!
Consumer Reports completed a study demonstrating just how valuable this fuel is. In their study, an engine was run continuously on a test in total for 1000 hours, which is about 4000 miles of driving. At the end of the study, the engine was taken apart for inspection.
The Top Tier gas left behind 19 times fewer carbon deposits than non-Top Tier gas. Isn’t that worth a couple extra cents a gallon?
Top 5 Gas Stations with the Best Quality Fuel
#1. Shell.
This company has been around for over a century, so you can bet they have learned something about fuel during that time!
Shell has nitrogen-enriched gasoline that is well worth spending a few extra bucks on. It helps to clean deposits from your engine and prevents new deposits from forming.
#2. Costco.
You can get just about anything from Costco, in bulk. But since 1995, Costco has been selling gasoline. Costco gas is top-tier gas, and a Kirkland Signature product.
The best thing about Costco gas, is that you are spending less. Sure, you have to have a membership to fill up, but you can save anywhere from 10 cents to 20 cents a gallon in the right locations. No doubt that adds up over time.
#3. Mobil.
For years, Mobil has provided top-tier gasoline. To make things better, Mobil was acquired by Exxon in 1999 to become Exxon Mobil, now providing fuel on a world-wide basis.
So what’s the secret in their fuel? Mobil has a brand of fuel called Mobil Synergy. It contains 9 additives, including a friction modifier, a corrosion inhibitor, and 3 detergents – all working together to help ensure you have a healthy engine.
#4. Chevron.
Chevron, formally known as California Star Oil Works, was formed in 1879. They have also become well-known for commercials with a talking car.
But we want to focus on what is in the fuel. Chevron uses Techron that is made from a proprietary blend of fuel additives. They guarantee that the additives work to prevent carbon build-up and to break down anything that is currently in the engine.
#5. Sinclair.
Sinclair Oil and Refining Corporation was formed in 1916 with the merger of eleven petroleum companies. More than a century later, there are over 1,000 Sinclair stations located across the United States.
What is different about Sinclair gas? Sinclair’s fuel has Dinocare, which has additives that are aimed at improving engine performance. The goal is to enhance fuel economy, limit deposits in the engine and reduce your annual maintenance costs.
With all this information, you can see the value in using quality fuel in your vehicle. Take a minute to identify a supplier of top-tier gas and your engine will appreciate it.
Understanding Octane Levels
Let’s not confuse Top Tier requirements with octane levels. When you pump gas, you are offered different options and different handles. Some say Regular, while some do just Premium. What is the correct choice for your car?
The only difference between the two is the octane. Remember the number? That number is what rates the value of fuel. The number is related to the amount of pressure the fuel can handle until it ignites. Therefore, the higher the rating, the more pressure, and the more power.
Regular gas is an octane rating of 87, and Premium gas anything above 90. Some vehicles require you to use Premium gas, and in that case you will probably know there is a problem with performance and the drive. Always be sure to check the owner’s manual for the recommended fuel.
You could choose to improve, but there is no reason to for gas. In fact, if you use an octane level beyond the recommended range, you may actually make matters worse than improving. Instead, improve the engine health by choosing Top Tier fueling stations.
Do gas brands matter?
Yes! There are different types of gasoline from different gas companies and there are different types of gasoline that come with different chemicals and additives.
The type of gas you put in your vehicle is important and can greatly affect your vehicle’s performance. Top Tier gasoline is created to be more fuel-efficient and cleaner than other types of gasoline.
Is premium gasoline worth it?
There has been a lot of debate about the worth of premium gasoline. The short answer is that it depends on the type of vehicle you drive and how you drive. If you own a vehicle that requires premium gasoline, and you use regular gas, you can harm your engine.
If you own an older vehicle that does not specify that you essential for regular gasoline, using premium gas is not going to help anything and is not worth the money invested.
Does premium gasoline clean your engine?
Yes and no. Premium gasoline has detergent additives, in some cases, that can help clean the engine and can protect the engine and fuel system, from collecting dirt and sludge forming in the engine. If your engine is already extremely dirty, premium gasoline is not going to magically clean it.
Do different grades of gasoline make a difference?
Yes, the type of gas can affect vehicle performance. Lower-octane gas is sufficient for most vehicles while upper-octane gasoline would be needed for a vehicle with high-performance specifications and a high-compression ratio. Note that going above and beyond the recommendation of the vehicle manufacturer does not equate to more performance.
To find a gas station with a good quality gas, look for the Top Tier brand gas station. This guarantees that service stations adhere to certain performance standards. Shell, Costco, Mobil, Chevron, and Sinclair are the most recognized Top Tier gas stations, but there are other gas stations that have the Top Tier badge as well.
The octane rating, additives, and cleaning agents all keep your vehicle’s engine running correctly. Some gas stations will have higher quality gas than others, with different additives, so looking for the best one should not be underestimated.
So next time you go looking for a gas station, first ask yourself if they are one of the top five recommendations. Your vehicle’s performance will thank you!