Check out this site:

Top Tier gas

Interesting information on gasoline detergents. Might be worth the extra penny or two more ....

 

Fascinating....I'm shocked to see Quick Trip on there as they seem to fall in the discount gas category around here. But if they're on the list, they're on the list! Based on what's around me I usually fill up at Chevron or occasionally Shell stations.

That is an odd web site, though...who runs it? There is NO other information.

 

QT has been advertising, here in Atlanta, their inclusion in that list. They
are very convenient for me and I tend to use their gas around town. Out
on the road it is a different story.

 

Very interesting...


Art

 

Shell is overpriced gasoline. I never use them. Chevron is OK but I have been using Citgo in my MINIs with absolutely no problems.

 

National Products Group
P.O. Box 3475
Tulsa, OK 74101
US
Phone: 9188368551

no website for the company listed.

 

VERY fishy site. I'd say at least one of those gas companies are running the site. Also of all those gas stations, only one (Shell) is available in NJ. I certainly wouldn't believe that site. I'd just chalk it up to 99% of everything else on the web...either someone's opinion or a company self-promoting under the guise of an "independent" source.

 

C&D just did an article on this topic... they also reference this site. Why would one competitor bother to list the others? Besides, the big four could easily shut them down if they wanted to..
Believe it or not, there are still some useful sites on the net... not many though..

 

My local Chevron has ads outside proclaiming that they are "Top Tier Gas", which is reccomended by BMW, etc.

 

this was posted on MINI2 quite a while back. I always get Shell anyways, so it didn't effect me much.

however, don't take this as, all Shell or whatever stations are good. The gasoline might be good, however if they don't maintain their tanks you'll have much more problems than not getting "top tier" gas.

 

I'm not sure what qualifies a station as overpriced, but my Shell station is pretty much on par with BP. and maybe a few cents more than Mobil.

 

Yup, I agree. Very odd.

 

I agree... since when do you trust something just because it's on the internet?

For all I know, the site is run by some trade association to hype their members' stations.

 

Around here Shell is one of the cheapest. I also have a Shell Mastercard which get's me 5% off on every Shell gas purchase, making it easily the cheapest gas in town.

 

The article in Car and Driver went into detail about how Top Tier came into being. Here's a link: http://tinyurl.com/c93d7

The gist is:

"Buy cheap fuel, and you risk coating parts of your engine with thick deposits that can dramatically affect your car's performance. There are a number of possible conditions including sticky intake valves and clogged fuel injectors...

"But how do you know which brands [of gasoline] have the right kinds of detergents and additives to keep your injectors clean? Until recently, that was a tough question to answer, but in 2004, representatives from BMW, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota got together to specify what makes a good fuel. They called their agreed-on standard 'Top Tier' and published it for the various gasoline retailers to voluntarily meet."

The Web site lists those retailers that have met the standards. Simple as that.

 

I read this article and thats what prompted my post. I didnt think it would arouse so much dispute! I considered the article informative and thought I would share the info with the forum.
I usually switch brands every few months. I heard this is good to do as it allows the various types of detergents to clean up deposits. All gasoline has detergents added, but they use different formulas and amounts so it good to vary brands...

 

Neither did I. I figured a link to the source would calm everybody down - just cause it's on the Internet doesn't mean it's BS or a conspiracy!

 

Oh... BTW, the above procedure was recommended by a petro chemical engineer... its not my own idea... just to clairify...

I also use Redline fuel injector cleaner which is endorsed by GM, BMW, Lexus, etc... It is purely detergent based and does not used solvents. So its totally safe and can be used as often with no ill effects. Many FI cleaners are based on solvents that can eat rubber and gasket material in the fuel system...
Just an FYI.... Oh and a IMHO....
mike

 

I did the same thing you did, that's the WHOIS information. The administrative contact is a "Jim Denny", using an AOL account.

Then I explored further... I did a google search on the key components of the address (3475, tulsa, 74101)... and I came up with:

QuikTrip Corporation
PO 3475
Tulsa, OK 74101

www.quiktrip.com

A WHOIS lookup on that domain name reveals a different Admin & Technical contact (Lynn Long), with a different phone number, but at the same P.O. box address.

In any case, I think it's pretty clear, they're running the site to promote their gas. Note that QuikTrip is the first one listed on the site, too. However, the fact they include others is intriguing - maybe it's just to add legitimacy... or maybe the other companies are also paying to be included - who knows? Perhaps they are all the same consortium?

 

Could be, but then why would the auto manufacturers be a part of it?

 

Very nice detective work, Edge! I really don't mind them promoting their gas, especially if it's this good, but this is a bit dodgy, imo. Trying to put forth an illusion of credibility could undermine the same in this case.

 

Conspiracy Theories are fun

That's some good hunting Edge and you're probably onto something. This is the first I've heard of so-called Top Tier gas, and I find it funny that only 4 automakers would acknowledge it, and an interesting mix of manufactures to boot.

Myself, I usually go w/ Shell.. .IF it's good enough for Schumacher's F1 Ferrari, it's good enough for me. And it's closest to my house.

 

Ok... for all you web based Sherlock Holmes out there, All the top tier site represents are the retailers that carry what is considered the preferred top tier gasoline.
Someone has to host the site, so quiktrip gets first listing, who cares. I never even heard of them.
I don't think this is anything designed to decieve anyone.. it seems harmless enough. But who knows. The Car and Driver article seems to endorse the top tier gas theory...

 

top tier org

Here is a PDF file on the organization of all this. Includes references from GM and their email addrs

 

I don't understand all the detective work and conspiracy theorizing. If you read the Car and Driver article, you'll find out the exact story behind the whole thing without having to do any sneaky research.

The idea is that car manufacturers do not know exactly what compound(s) in gasoline have a negative impact on engine parts and wear, but they do know that certain detergents prevent that negative impact. Therefore, GM, Toyota, Honda and BMW got together and issued a set of criteria for so-called Top Tier gasoline that would contain the detergents that prevent negative effects of gasoline.

The manufacturers have an interest in keeping their cars running, and the gas companies that have volunteered to meet the standard have an interest in gaining a new way to promote their fuels as better than their competitors'. The Top Tier program benefits everyone, including consumers, but setting a standard for "good gas."

What's the big deal?