Why don't gas stations advertise that they are Tier 1?

[Senseless]

Since getting my S4, I've been looking for Tier one gas stations, as recommended by the manual. I carried a printout around for a while, until I memorized what local brands were tier one. I'm surprised that the stations around me don't have any signage advertising that they are Tier one and why it's superior gas. I did see a pump placard on one Shell station that said they were BMW M approved or something, but nothing on the poles.

[drexplode]

Since getting my S4, I've been looking for Tier one gas stations, as recommended by the manual. I carried a printout around for a while, until I memorized what local brands were tier one. I'm surprised that the stations around me don't have any signage advertising that they are Tier one and why it's superior gas. I did see a pump placard on one Shell station that said they were BMW M approved or something, but nothing on the poles.

big fan of Shell 93.

[14S4GWM]

Most people don't care about tier 1 gas. Those that do care already know where it is.

[homelessNY_LI]

I used mobilexxon. Only station around with same price cash or credit.

[homelessNY_LI]

Most people don't care about tier 1 gas. Those that do care already know where it is.

Very true

[14S4GWM]

He's not asking what everybody uses!

[levigarrett]

I have no idea how to locate those stations. Google yields brands but not a way to search individual stations in your location.

[14S4GWM]

I have no idea how to locate those stations. Google yields brands but not a way to search individual stations in your location.

As long as you know the brand then it doesn't matter about the individual station. You can use a locator link on the respective brands webpage to find stations. On my nav it always tells me where the nearest shell station is.

[Senseless]

It just seems like a lost marketing opportunity. I NEVER heard of Tier one until I got my Audi. I may have used it if I knew it was superior.

[14S4GWM]

I don't think it really matters unless your running a boosted car whether turbo or SC. Most american V8's didn't matter until recent years. I still see them going to crappy stations now days.

[levigarrett]

As long as you know the brand then it doesn't matter about the individual station. You can use a locator link on the respective brands webpage to find stations. On my nav it always tells me where the nearest shell station is.

Seems like just about every big brand in the US.
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers/

[14S4GWM]

^ except Sunoco

[Tien]

Wow SA and Holiday are top tier gas stations. Who would have thought.

[jareds941]

Seems like just about every big brand in the US.
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers/

So are we to believe that ARCO, which is now Top Tier, is as good for your car as Shell?

[Senseless]

^ except Sunoco

Almost everything here is Sunoco, Wawa and other generic gas. People hunt for cheap because they think all gasoline is the same.

[levigarrett]

So are we to believe that ARCO, which is now Top Tier, is as good for your car as Shell?

That was kind of my point. If everyone carries the designation then I'm not so sure there really should be a designation. This is one of those "everyone gets a trophy" deals apparently.

[14S4GWM]

Sunoco is a very good gas.

[youS4]

My local Costco gas station lets people know they're filling with top tier/tier one gasoline:

[eurotic]

So few choices in Canada, at least in the city I live in. I was using Shell but they have been having supply issues where many stations have no fuel. Some stations that they say is Top Tier I would never use because of stories I've heard about their fuels, I'm not going to risk it. I admit that I now use Husky 94 octane (E10) in my car which is not Top Tier. I can tell when I switch between Shell 91 and Husky 94. I know it's long term usage that would possibly be the issue. Maybe I should look at Petro-Canada or Esso.

[moose_head]

Gasbuddy.com (also known as ___gasprices.com - replace blank with your city, usually) puts a little 'top tier' logo and it's probably searchable.

[moose_head]

That was kind of my point. If everyone carries the designation then I'm not so sure there really should be a designation. This is one of those "everyone gets a trophy" deals apparently.

It's not a contest, but rather a standard that they have to meet. There are plenty of stations that don't meet it, and probably some that meet the standard but don't want to pay for membership in the program (meaning customers have no external assurance)

[HeymyAudi]

I bounce between Costco and Mobile ... sometimes Sunoco and i really do not notice a difference. I was skeptical about Costco for a while but after running it against Mobile, Shell and Sunoco I am really impressed. Now when I lived in Vegas Shell and Exxon is king.. Arco was ok..

[SDV325]

So few choices in Canada, at least in the city I live in. I was using Shell but they have been having supply issues where many stations have no fuel. Some stations that they say is Top Tier I would never use because of stories I've heard about their fuels, I'm not going to risk it. I admit that I now use Husky 94 octane (E10) in my car which is not Top Tier. I can tell when I switch between Shell 91 and Husky 94. I know it's long term usage that would possibly be the issue. Maybe I should look at Petro-Canada or Esso.

I love the added jump my car has when i run Husky94, did all summer. Never thought it wasnt a "toptier" gas.

[awwturbo]

To avoid carbon buildup on modern cars with direct injection, manufacturers suggest using "top tier" fuel. Essentially the fuel has more cleaning agents and/or additives than other fuel brands.

[stereojorge]

Shell Nitro+ 93 Octane FTW!!!

[Johnnycash]

it seems like the term "top tier" gets thrown around quite a bit nowadays and im not so sure what the universal standard is or minimum requirements etc. but supposedly holiday is "top tier"but i have been told to avoid their gas as its pretty shitty, besides they only have 91 octane.

i notice their winter blend decreases fuel economy significantly, but this is supposedly normal.

i prefer to burn 93 octane and i have a few bp stations i frequent, i dont pay attention to "top tier" designations.

[helix139]

Top Tier isn't what you think it is. It has things like a minimum ethanol requirement (which is shit. I want E0.) and brands like BP weren't on it for a while. It basically means you paid for a certification, not that the gas is better. Personally, IDGAF about the top tier badge. I get my gas from reputable suppliers and if they had E0 premium in my area, I'd buy it, top tier or not.

Also, with Direct Injection, detergents really don't make all that much of a difference as they don't get sprayed on the intake valves anyways.

[Wilbur]

It just seems like a lost marketing opportunity. I NEVER heard of Tier one until I got my Audi. I may have used it if I knew it was superior.

I'm pretty sure thats all "Tier 1" is .....a marketing thing that has never really gained any traction. Virtually every big name has all the same additives etc in their fuels.

[cspcrx]

I use the gasbuddy app as well. Makes me nuts to see all of you in the northern part of the country who get 93 octane. We need the extra octane to deal with the 115 degree heat here and the best we can get is 91. I make my own now with 3 gallons od e85 which is easy to find.

[Wilbur]

^ except Sunoco

Which should tell us something about Top Tier. Sunoco sells the highest octane fuel in Canada. They probably just dont want to spend the dough to join "top tier".

[14S4GWM]

^Sunoco is all I run

[moose_head]

Which should tell us something about Top Tier. Sunoco sells the highest octane fuel in Canada. They probably just dont want to spend the dough to join "top tier".

Sunoco doesn't exist in Canada anymore. They were re-branded as Petro-Canada in 2010. Petro-Canada sells the 94 at the former Sunoco stations and they are top tier.

[Difference]

Sunoco doesn't exist in Canada anymore. They were re-branded as Petro-Canada in 2010. Petro-Canada sells the 94 at the former Sunoco stations and they are top tier.

^ 94 at Petro is the only thing that goes into the tank

[Wilbur]

Sunoco doesn't exist in Canada anymore. They were re-branded as Petro-Canada in 2010. Petro-Canada sells the 94 at the former Sunoco stations and they are top tier.

oh yea........

[Wilbur]

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/gas...ane-myths.html

[Reckon]

I do notice a difference between gasoline brands in all of my cars and I only use Tier 1 gas brands.

When I was driving the S2000, it felt like performance was best on Chevron 93 while mileage was best on Texaco 93 (same company, I know) with Shell 93 being in between.

For the S4, Shell 93 gives me the best mileage but Texaco 93 gives me the best performance (Chevron was not a noticeable difference to the Texaco).

For the Prius, surprisingly Mapco 87 does the best mileage and performance with Shell 87 coming in second.

The TDI Beetle only got Sunoco because it was the only place with diesel available at the time. I wasn't a big fan of the TDI so I didn't drive it much.

Normally, I only fill up with Shell & Texaco/Chevron and if no other choice, Mapco.

And while driving is never the same, I am fairly consistent as its the same routes to work, home and the gym with about the same driving habits.