Check out the service bulletin dated April 2006. Top Tier gas is needed now.

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/BMW/11438...06/130206.html

 

I read this some where just recently. I guess other car companies are recommending as well? I'll see it I can find that article.

 

WHy send out a TSB, do I have to show them recipts of EVERY gas tank I purchaced witht he milage of that tank on it in order for them to fix an O2 light I had come on AFTER switiching to Top Tier gas?? This is insane!!!! Or the bulletin is absolutely pointless.

 

http://www.toptiergas.com

 

Here another interesting TSB that is recent. I know this one has been talked to death but this is one reason gas prices are higher now too. Our state (CO) is considering a bill that will allow up to 10 percent Alcohol in our gas.

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/BMW/11428...106/index.html

I have two older cars (10-15 years old). I bet this gas mixture will mess with my engines once the Alcohol Fuel Blend gets to 10 percent.

 

Motorweek had a segment about that.

I looked at the list and the only Chevron and Shell are the only stations in my area. The rest (except 76), I have never heard of them.

I wonder if I can get by with a bottle of Techron by Chevron every now and then.

 

It isn't insane to post a bulletin about it because it can help diagnose problems which might arise from such fuels.

I'd hate to be the tech who ended up spending an hr or so diagnosing the issue while all it was is low quality fuel.

 

Can you explain why I never had an SES until two weeks after I switched to top tier gas and that a switch away from them has prevented the light from returning?

 

That's where I saw it

 

Nope, because I have no idea the inner workings of the gasoline chemistry, or if that particular station is having issues with their gasoline quality. I have used Shell and Chevron exclusively ever since ownership and haven't had one problem with it.

I can tell you that this is a somewhat a common issue across the industry especially during the seasonal changes.

Again the bulletin is just to make techs aware of a potential problem, not saying you MUST use top tier gas, but that a driveability issue can be caused by non-top tier gas.

Since your problem was solved by not using top-tier gas you have nothing to worry about.

 

I'm sure there were some other factors at play, but as long as I have someone with extensive BMW knowledge saying its not going to void my warranty, I won't be too worried.

 

Trust me it won't void your warranty lol

It's recommended, but not following them isn't going to void anything. It's just to help troubleshoot.

MINI recommends Castrol oil, but I use Mobile 1. :D

That word "recommend" is open to interpretation hahaha

 

Don't get me started on Castrol, the second I'm paying for my oilchanges its gonna be Redline every 5k, but I'll be doing track and Autocross so I know I'll be pushing the car just a little more than the average owner.

 

We don't have any of the Top Tier Gas retaillers in the Pittsburgh area.

 

Top Tier...as it turns out...is all I've ever put in my MINI. My friends spend hours trying to locate the cheapest gas in the area. Not me.

 

I go to shell 90% of the time anyway.

Why is Exxon-Mobil not on that list? I always thought that was one of the best as far as quality?

 

Ditto. Best gas in my opinion. My father used to work for BP, so I was "forced" into buying that, but since then, he has changed jobs, so I get to use Shell without feeling guilty.

 

I only use Citgo and never have a problem.

Shell sucks down here in Florida and it is usually the most expensive gas around.

 

Look at Shell's reputation across the world for supressing the voice of communities it's polluted, with help from the governments that support them, and perhaps you'll have to reconsider. It's really hard to be guilt free when buying any gasoline due mainly to the lack of concern most show for the environment, and the native people in the countries they draw their oil from. At the very least it's good to do a little research and find out the history of the company you choose to buy from. A lot of times you will find very surprising things...

http://www.essentialaction.org/shell/issues.html

^ One of the issuses surrounding Shell and their lack of concern for environment, and local populations. I can offer more if need be.

 

I didn't mean to turn this into a fiery topic, but oops!

When I referred to feeling guilty, I meant by not buying the product of the company that feeds the family. I choose Shell bc of the quality of the product, as I do with most items I buy. While I am conscious of the environment, I refuse to take unnecessary time to investigate the backgrounds of the merchants I choose to spend my money with. I would say that all oil companies are barbaric, based on the raping of the land required to extract oil. Yet, there is not a well established alternative for gasoline, so I am going to buy the gas that I feel is of the best quality…BP may be throwing billions at research for alternatives, but that does not wash their hands of all wrongdoings.

I respect your opinion and applaud your concerns, but with this issue, I feel it is simply choosing six in one hand v ½ dozen in the other.


It’s like diamonds…the industry is a bunch of murderers, the value of diamonds is artificial, etc…but I’ll end up spending several thousand for an engagement ring, because there is no other way to get around it.

 

Did you pull the code? What was it? If you didn't how do you know it was the gas (just because the light went away doesnt mean much).

TopTier is a recommendation from the people who built your car. Nobody has to follow their recommendtions anymore than you have to use the oil they recommend.

Damage from gasoline isn't going to appear after a few months or years, it might be awhile ... then you might wish you had switched (or not)

 

I've read and heard from various credible sources that the following gas stations are harming the environment more than others:

Exxon/Mobile
Shell
BP

I used to use only Shell and BP, but not anymore.

Now only use Chevron/Texaco (same company). The car runs the same as before. Saved some $ too Chevron/Texaco are cheaper where I live. Also it's Top Tier!

 

Those top three may be the most harmful of all the oil companies, but they are also the largest. These are their market caps according to Yahoo! Finance.

BP 257.90Billion
Shell 232.82Billion
Exxon/Mobil 390.32Billion

Chevron/Texaco 133.64Billion

It really should be measured by pollution per barrel or whatever. Even if each company created the same amount of pollution per barrel, it would be obvious that Chevron would produce less. Hell, Exxon Mobil would be able to create 1/3 as much pollution per barrel and still produce and equal amount of pollution as Chevron. Obviously, I'm using rough estimates and assuming that all the large integrated oil companies operate in the same way and have similar margins per barrel and whatnot, but you get the idea.

[edit] I use shell because I just got their credit card which gives me 5% cash back on their gas.

 

Someone was asking why BP is not on the Top Tier list. Here's their statement on the issue from their website:

Does Amoco Ultimate Premium Meet the Automakers' "Top Tier" Standard?


In terms of cleaning formula, Amoco Ultimate meets the Top Tier program specifications. Top Tier is only about cleaning formula and is not a comprehensive measure of fuel quality or performance. Amoco Ultimate goes beyond Top Tier by removing deposit-forming impurities at the refinery, exceeding industry standards for drivability.

http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarti...tentId=7013479

I wouldn't be terribly surprised if Exxon's reasoning is similar. My opinion is that Top Tier is more marketing than a statement of quality.

 

I get my gas at Costco which is actually BP....never had an issue