Are you a top tier gasoline user?

[MilesTeg]

Thanks RanDar! Shop a lot at Walmart, so that’s where I filled up with premium. Thought that would be good enough, but after watching the vids I was worried more about my ecoboost 2.7. So I did a search and found a Chevron 1.5 miles away!! Filled a half tank with 87, that was a wake call ouch! But Costco is 31 miles 1 way. That’s not an option … My point is I learned something today and appreciate it greatly!

There's a website the TT program runs to find stations. You might give that a try. It's not always accurate, in my experience. Gas stations change hands all the time.

https://stationfinder.toptiergas.com/

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[RanDar]

You are most welcome. Sharing information is one of the great things about the 6g forum. That and some of the humor. I have learned a lot of useful "stuff" on here. No costco anywhere near here, but several top tier suppliers, and several nons. Strangely, they all charge about the same price, so no temptation to use the cheapest

 

[RoLyMa27]

I had a vague ideo of what a top tier gasoline was, but came across a couple of useful articles that gave me a better explanation.
This first article is a general discussion of top tier gasolines and their importance.



This second article talks specifically about Ford ecoboost engines with respect to top tier gasolines.



Clearly it is important to not only choose a gasoline with adequate octane, but also with adequate additives necessary for the best longeviity of our Bronco ecoboost engines.
It appears that not all brands have the top tier additives in all octane grades so choose wisely.

These articles specifically discuss gasoline brands that meet/exceed, or do not meet top tier certification.
Hope this helps you choose the right gasoline for your Bronco.

Two 2021 Badlands Broncos. Identically equipped, both well taken care of, both have 100K miles. Bronco A has had Top Tier gas Bronco B has not. Both taken to the same Ford dealer for a trade on a new 26. The owner of Bronco A will not get a single penny more than Bronco B.

 

[MilesTeg]

Two 2021 Badlands Broncos. Identically equipped, both well taken care of, both have 100K miles. Bronco A has had Top Tier gas Bronco B has not. Both taken to the same Ford dealer for a trade on a new 26. The owner of Bronco A will not get a single penny more than Bronco B.

True, but only because at only 100k you're not likely to experience an engine problem even with basic gas, and no dealership is going to inspect closely enough for them to notice/price it different.

So, if you just trade your vehicle in after a few years? Don't bother. If you want to hang onto it as long as possible, it does matter.

 

[RoLyMa27]

True, but only because at only 100k you're not likely to experience an engine problem even with basic gas, and no dealership is going to inspect closely enough for them to notice/price it different.

So, if you just trade your vehicle in after a few years? Don't bother. If you want to hang onto it as long as possible, it does matter.

Agree 100% and I certainly agree that TT fuels and quality oils etc. are the way to go for some people. I buy top tier fuel when I can but I do not go out of my way. I will pass my Bronco down to my son one day.

 

[JSW377]

Agree 100% and I certainly agree that TT fuels and quality oils etc. are the way to go for some people. I buy top tier fuel when I can but I do not go out of my way. I will pass my Bronco down to my son one day.

Mine is a 50 year old desire from high school that will be passed to my grandson upon my departure… Damn right I’m gonna take care of it!

 

[michelle227]

So while we are on this topic of fuels, I have a question. I have a Conoco (edit: it's actually a Cenex) station near my home (<4 mi each way or a 1/2 gallon at 16 mpgs) that IS Top Tier AND also sells ethanol free premium fuel...both pluses. Problem is, it is NOT very busy. Like rarely do I see a vehicle in there. And if I do, often they are getting the non-highway taxed diesel for their back hoe. Now the Costco is considerably further for me (maybe 8 miles each way or about 1 gallon). Costco is Top Tier, but has ethanol. If you know Costco, you also know there is ALWAYS a line to get fuel...and I REGULARLY see the tanker truck there filling the underground tanks. That tanker might be showing up every day, it's so busy, particularly with our crazy fuel prices right now.

So, which fuel do you chose, both being Top Tier? Absolutely freshy-fresh Top Tier fuel with ethanol....or maybe slightly stale Top Tier fuel without ethanol?

Im going for the ethanol-free seven days a week and twice on travel days...

Same thing when I had a station nearby that sold 100 leaded (yes, it was needed). Later started filling that one at a nearby FBO after I started flying since 100LL is still an option...

 

[TPadden72]

Other than 100LL Avgas, I have not seen ethanol free fuel in over 25 years.

It's called recreational gas: "Recreational gas (or Rec-90) is unleaded, ethanol-free gasoline, typically 90 octane, designed for small engines, boats, and off-road vehicles. "

Plenty of stations have it in Florida.

Tom

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

I’m pretty committed to Shell 93 for now. I’m sure there are plenty of other good options but I know the Bronco likes this one and it’s easy to find near home and across Virginia.

I had to get some lower-octane unknown-to-me brands on my trip to Nova Scotia last fall and the Bronco ran noticeably bad on some of them. Indicated gas mileage dropped significantly too. Soon as I was able to fill with Shell 93 again, she was purring along within a few miles.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Wait until blinker fluid enters the debate...Katie bar the door...

Reflector fluid.

I had a work van that had a small leak somewhere in the roof. The water would pool in the roof structure and when I went to drive it, at the first stop you could hear it coming through whatever channels and eventually found an outlet where the cable for the rear view mirror exited the structure. The water would follow that cable wrap and then finally leak out right at the mirror where the cable had formed a drip loop and drip/small stream all over the dash.

I always wanted to take that van to the dealer with the water still on the dash so they could see the evidence of.....
"my mirror leaks reflector fluid."

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I buy my gas wherever it’s convenient when I need it, it’s worked fine for the last 46 years. I usually buy from Harris Teeter when here at home as we get money off as we shop at the grocery store. Not sure where they get it.

I went on a Top Tier kick for awhile, but then reminded myself that I have had several 200k +/- mile vehicles over the years and had used the similar, "what's convenient" approach.
I do avoid the nasty little , dumpy filling stations though.

That being said, Meijer Super Stores are Top Tier now, and I shop there regularly, so I do fill up there most of the time and Costco the few times I get there.
Can't hurt.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

So, which fuel do you chose, both being Top Tier? Absolutely freshy-fresh Top Tier fuel with ethanol....or maybe slightly stale Top Tier fuel without ethanol?

Modern vehicle that will use that fuel in a week or two ..... ethanol is not a problem.

Old vehicle not set up for ethanol ... must use ethanol free no matter how quickly it runs through that load. Ethanol will DESTROY old rubber, very quickly.

Any vehicle or power tool, yard equipment whose gas will set for weeks before it is used up ... will always benefit from ethanol free because it is much more shelf stable.

 

[Bronco21Maybe]

Reflector fluid.

I had a work van that had a small leak somewhere in the roof. The water would pool in the roof structure and when I went to drive it, at the first stop you could hear it coming through whatever channels and eventually found an outlet where the cable for the rear view mirror exited the structure. The water would follow that cable wrap and then finally leak out right at the mirror where the cable had formed a drip loop and drip/small stream all over the dash.

I always wanted to take that van to the dealer with the water still on the dash so they could see the evidence of.....
"my mirror leaks reflector fluid."

Don't get me started on my F-150 panoramic roof. Three trips to the dealer and $2,600 later, the damned thing BROKE. And it's still broke. First the leaks. Paid for full replacement. Paid for the replacement to be fixed, and now the replacement is broken again. Ford should have recalled that piece of junk and there should be a lawsuit over it.

 

[JSW377]

Reflector fluid.

I had a work van that had a small leak somewhere in the roof. The water would pool in the roof structure and when I went to drive it, at the first stop you could hear it coming through whatever channels and eventually found an outlet where the cable for the rear view mirror exited the structure. The water would follow that cable wrap and then finally leak out right at the mirror where the cable had formed a drip loop and drip/small stream all over the dash.

I always wanted to take that van to the dealer with the water still on the dash so they could see the evidence of.....
"my mirror leaks reflector fluid."

You need a cable stretcher and a dab of proven frequency grease

 

[AZ_Liberty]

It's called recreational gas: "Recreational gas (or Rec-90) is unleaded, ethanol-free gasoline, typically 90 octane, designed for small engines, boats, and off-road vehicles. "

Plenty of stations have it in Florida.

Tom

Not in Arizona, nothing but E10 since the late 90s.

Now, you can buy 100 unleaded racing fuel on the Reservation though. Being Indian land, they don't have to follow state mandates. But it's $10/gallon.

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