Using non-detergent gasoline and future regrets.

[CalvinT]

I do this (Techron or Lucas) also because in the West for long road trips, past 2-3 years, tons of gas stations have no gas/broken pumps. In the middle of no where and main routes, crummy convenience stops, Mavericks and Valeros - you name it, and we’ve all seen it. One reason to have a few gallons spare strapped on. At that point it’s take whatever gas that can be found, and it’s usually not looking good from the looks of the place, so in goes the additive.

Top Tier has a phone app to help you find Top Tier stations. I won't buy gas unless it's Top Tier, I don't care what brand, or it's an emergency and I need gas. But I also have two Wavian cans.

https://stationfinder.toptiergas.com/

BTW, Top Tier isn't a product. It's a performance standard for gasoline additives used by the different oil companies. Also there is a Top Tier and a Top Tier+ standard. Top Tier+ is for gasoline direct-injected (GDI) engines. From the Top Tier website.

"The new Plus gasoline standard will include a GDI Fuel Injector Cleanliness Engine Dynamometer Test while monitoring for optimal emissions and combustion behavior."

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[crenca]

Not sure if premium actually gets more additive and detergent

Chevron used to claim that their premium gets *more* "techron" then their regular grade, not sure if they do anymore.

Shell claims you have to get their premium if you want the ZDDP laced additive package, their lower grades only getting their 'regular' detergent additive package.

"The Oil Geek" has said that in fact the additive packages vary from region to region even within brands, though I'm not sure if that means in Shell's case you don't get the ZDDP even in premium in certain places...

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Chevron used to claim that their premium gets *more* "techron" then their regular grade, not sure if they do anymore.

Shell claims you have to get their premium if you want the ZDDP laced additive package, their lower grades only getting their 'regular' detergent additive package.

"The Oil Geek" has said that in fact the additive packages vary from region to region even within brands, though I'm not sure if that means in Shell's case you don't get the ZDDP even in premium in certain places...

Well it would suck if the Shell's sometimes don't for 93. I actually don't have many Shell stations near me that are in a good area and I hate that. The QT is close to work and in a good area so I trust it. When I go wheeling in North Georgia, there is a Shell, but they've had card skimming concerns, so now it's the RaceTrac station (Southern stations) that seems pretty good, but it's not a Shell or Chevron, as Techron is a good detergent as well.

 

[Brian_B]

I don’t have a lot of Shell stations where I live - a couple but they are in the minority. There is one on the long way home from work that I often stop at. I usually tend to prefer Chevrons around here, and Valero when I can’t get to a Chevron. But wow does Chevron often charge a premium. In my touristy town it can be a dollar or more a gallon than the casino budget gas

 

[userdude]

Top Tier has a phone app to help you find Top Tier stations. I won't buy gas unless it's Top Tier, I don't care what brand, or it's an emergency and I need gas. But I also have two Wavian cans.

https://stationfinder.toptiergas.com/

BTW, Top Tier isn't a product. It's a performance standard for gasoline additives used by the different oil companies. Also there is a Top Tier and a Top Tier+ standard. Top Tier+ is for gasoline direct-injected (GDI) engines. From the Top Tier website.

"The new Plus gasoline standard will include a GDI Fuel Injector Cleanliness Engine Dynamometer Test while monitoring for optimal emissions and combustion behavior."

Interesting, it's not showing the Buc-ees by me is Top Tier.

 

[crenca]

I don’t have a lot of Shell stations where I live - a couple but they are in the minority. There is one on the long way home from work that I often stop at. I usually tend to prefer Chevrons around here, and Valero when I can’t get to a Chevron. But wow does Chevron often charge a premium. In my touristy town it can be a dollar or more a gallon than the casino budget gas

It used to be that way around here as well, but starting a couple of years ago something in the market changed and price differential has been flatter. The two changes that may be casually related are the recent addition of two more Walmart sources, and Shell now supplying more of the smaller independent stations and so now Shell/Chevron/everybody have to compete more on price? Whatever the cause its a good thing for consumer.

In your case the math is probably better if you order Techron by the case off of Amazon and fill up at lowest price local station.

edit: The other day my wife was with me when we stopped and I put a bottle of Techron in, then 3 gallons of E85, and finished off with 91 (for my FP tune). She was ribbing me saying "you might as well get an EV if you have to do all that!"

 

[adam1991]

When I go wheeling in North Georgia, there is a Shell, but they've had card skimming concerns

they haven't updated to the proximity chip?

Never stick your card in another man's machine.

 

[adam1991]

Interesting, it's not showing the Buc-ees by me is Top Tier.

Is Buc-ees gas Top Tier? My guess would be not. But then, we won't have a Buc-ees for another year.

And even then, all I'll stop by for is a brisket sandwich. People complain about Costco? I can't imagine 100 pumps combined with the average driver's general lack of spatial awareness.

 

[B22-2023]

Interesting, it's not showing the Buc-ees by me is Top Tier.

It leaves a lot of TT locations out I noticed, and locations vary between the app and web site. Good concept but I’ll stick to war driving for the typical brands when on the road.

 

[SeptuagenarianSasquatch]

https://stationfinder.toptiergas.com/
BTW, Top Tier isn't a product. It's a performance standard for gasoline additives used by the different oil companies. Also there is a Top Tier and a Top Tier+ standard. Top Tier+ is for gasoline direct-injected (GDI) engines. From the Top Tier website.

"The new Plus gasoline standard will include a GDI Fuel Injector Cleanliness Engine Dynamometer Test while monitoring for optimal emissions and combustion behavior."

The stock 2.7 is, I understand, a " port-fuel/direct-injection (PFDI) engine." Same thing? And should I be spending on the Techron-Plus, or is regular Techron/Top Tier sufficient?

I've been buy non-Top-Tier, but branded, gas for most of my 47K miles (2022 Badlands 2.7L). I'm wondering if I should buy a case of Techron-Plus ($42/six, Amazon) and run that through my next several tanks, then stick with Costco.

And what about Gumout, Lucas, STP, SeaFoam? I notice on threads elswhere different brands have their own, often very enthusiastic, fan base.

 

[CalvinT]

Is Buc-ees gas Top Tier? My guess would be not. But then, we won't have a Buc-ees for another year.

And even then, all I'll stop by for is a brisket sandwich. People complain about Costco? I can't imagine 100 pumps combined with the average driver's general lack of spatial awareness.

If there's no Top Tier label on the pump, it probably isn't Top Tier. I say probably because sometimes a station won't place the labels.

https://www.toptiergas.com/gasoline-brands/

 

[CalvinT]

It leaves a lot of TT locations out I noticed, and locations vary between the app and web site. Good concept but I’ll stick to war driving for the typical brands when on the road.

From the Top Tier website:

"Enrollment in this online directory is optional for TOP TIER™ Authorized Suppliers. There are additional TOP TIER™ Authorized Suppliers throughout North America and in some Central and South American countries. A searchable list of all TOP TIER™ licensed brands, sorted by brand and country, is available."

Here's the searchable list, which you can download.

https://www.toptiergas.com/gasoline-brands/

 

[CalvinT]

The stock 2.7 is, I understand, a " port-fuel/direct-injection (PFDI) engine."

The 2.7L has both direct and port injection. The 2.3L is direct injection only.

 

[PWillette]

The 2.7L has both direct and port injection. The 2.3L is direct injection only.

2.3 for 2025 is now both direct and port injection...my only regret for buying the first year model.

 

[CalvinT]

2.3 for 2025 is now both direct and port injection...my only regret for buying the first year model.

Yes, for 2025 the 2.3L has both. I thought about that after making my last post. figured someone would catch it.

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