http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...ted_sunoco.jpg

I have always used Sunoco for my cars. I usually put 93 Premium from Sunoco. But looks like they are NOT on the top tier list.. interesting... There's a Shell station 3 blocks from my house. Maybe I should start filling up from there?

What does TOP TIER actually mean if anything. Is this kind of like the USDA? Or is it more like "The Dairy Counsel"?

They have "standards", but is that just another way of saying that those companies can afford to buy into the union/organization?

BP and Exxon mobil are good companies, and though we don't have Sunoco's here, I have heard their gas is good. Does being left off the tier list really mean anything?

I usually fill up on 76 gasoline, but I have heard many good things about Shell V-Power across many forums, so I might give that a shot. The only bad thing is that there are about two or three Shell stations that I've seen in my area as opposed to the many many Chevron/76 stations.

Sorry for the extra post but I found this interesting and thought I'd share in relation to BP and Sunoco not being on the "TOP TIER" list.

Pick Your Poison: An Updated Environmentalist's Guide to Gasoline - January/February 2007 - Sierra Magazine - Sierra Club

I'm not going to list everything on that webpage but check it out its pretty interesting, not to mention a funny coincidence in regards to BP and Sunoco not being on the Tier List.

That's even more vague, because what does it mean when it says bottom of the barrel? Is this in terms of how many people purchase their gas? Quality fo gas? Is this just their "reccord" and if so, in what way? I know BP is suppossed to be a "green" gas company.

^Its too much info to list. Just click on the link to understand. Pretty interesting really.

hmm...wonder who had the idea of this thread lol http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...eage-cost.html. I use BP and Chevron all the time. but whats this Nitrofill gas. I think its Shell that has it. Nitrogenated gasoline. I saw that XXX oxygenated gas, but not this before.

Looks like they gotta start scratching some backs.

it's Shell that has that new nitrogenated gasoline. Not all stations have it, and from what I gather from the commercials, the ones that do have it for all octanes, but I could be wrong.

I fill up at the gas station on base since I thought all gases are the same, other than the ethanol rating that is. Since the gas station on base claims 0%, I just always filled up there. ;<

Top Tier Info
 

Maybe this will help;

Why TOP TIER

The intention of the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline standards is to create a winning situation for gasoline retailers, auto manufacturers and drivers. Currently, many gasoline retailers provide fuels with lower-quality additive packages that can build up deposits on fuel injectors and on intake valves. Others can build up deposits in combustion chambers and may lead to intake valve sticking. These lower levels of additives can have negative impacts on engine performance and vehicle responsiveness.

Top Tier Detergent Gasoline

TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is the premier standard for gasoline performance. Six of the world's top automakers, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen and Audi recognize that the current EPA minimum detergent requirements do not go far enough to ensure optimal engine performance.

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.

Do a Google Search on "top tier gasoline hype".
Interesting stuff. "Top Tier" = Marketing Hype.

IMHO, of course.

Jim

^^ +1 Totally agree.

Oh, top tier is definitely marketing hype. I never really cared for top tier gas when it came to filling up, but went with Shell and Chevron because in Milwaukee, they had higher octane ratings than everywhere else, with the exception of the one mobil station in range of my house. My preference is actually probably the result of lack of choice, because growing up I noticed it was Shell, or 7-11/Citgo. And believe me, if you actually saw the gas stations, you would have gone with Shell as well, even with no prior knowledge of gas quality lol. Those other stations were REALLY run down.