Top Tier Detergent Gasoline

Top Tier Detergent Gasoline is a designation given to participating gas brands in the U.S. and Canada that meet voluntary industry standards.

History

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the minimum gasoline detergent standard [ [http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/additive/fact7gda.htm Gasoline Detergent Additives Enforcement and Recordkeeping Requirements | Fuels and Fuel Additives | US EPA ] ] in 1995 and soon after most gasoline marketers who had previously provided higher levels of detergents reduced the concentration level of detergents in commercial gasoline to meet the new standard. Whether the higher detergent level were necessary remains disputed. The levels required are necessary to meet emissions standards but not engine longevity standards.

In 2004 BMW, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota established a proprietary standard for a class of gasoline called Top Tier Detergent Gasoline with increased levels of detergents. Volkswagen/Audi joined the consortium in 2007.

Gas brands can participate and get Top Tier listing if they meet certain standards.

Availability

In 2004 the standard was adopted by just a few gasoline distributors, Chevron [ [http://www.chevron.com/products/ourfuels/trusttech/toptier.aspx Chevron - Top Tier Gasoline ] ] , QuikTrip, Kwik Trip, Conoco-Phillips, Shell, Entec Stations, and MFA Oil Company. Since then many gasoline distributors have met the proprietary standard and it can be found in numerous gas stations all over North America. [ [http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/05/10/073226.html TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Marks One Year ] ] [ [http://www.shell.ca/home/content/ca-en/shell_for_motorists/toptier/dir_toptier.html Shell Canada Limited - TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline ] ] Aloha Petroleum, KwikTrip, KwikStar, Somerset Refinery Inc., Tri-Par Oil Company, Shell Canada, Chevron Canada, Sunoco Canada and Petro Canada have since received Top Tier recognition. [ [http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html Top Tier Gasoline ] ] Meeting this standard allows gasoline marketers to differentiate themselves from their competition. All stations selling the brand must meet Top Tier standards before the brand is qualified. [ [http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html Top Tier Gasoline ] ]

Purpose of Detergents in Gasoline

While General Motors' "field guru" Andrew Buczynsky says that no one has identified the exact molecule in gasoline that causes engine buildup, he says that top tier detergent gasoline will remove the deposits. [Webster, Larry. [http://www.caranddriver.com/features/columns/c_d_staff/larry_webster/your_car_is_a_temple_so_put_in_the_good_stuff_column/(page)/1 Your Car is a Temple, so Put in the Good Stuff] . "Car and Driver Magazine". August 2005. Retrieved 2008-04-14.] Without some level of detergents engine deposits form in most vehicles and this causes reduced fuel efficiency, acceleration, and power as well as increasing emissions and rough idling.

What Vehicles Will Benefit from Using This Gas

According to its marketers, all vehicles will benefit from using Top Tier Detergent Gasoline over gasoline meeting the basic EPA standard. Deposits will reputedly be minimized on fuel injectors, intake valves, and combustion chambers. [ [http://www.toptiergas.com/deposit_control.html Top Tier Gasoline ] ]

New vehicles will supposedly benefit by keeping their engine clean and running optimally, older vehicles may benefit with increased engine performance and prolonged vehicle life.

Using this gas is purported to have the following benefits over gasolines just meeting the EPA standard:
* Improved fuel efficiency
* Reduced driving upsets (rough idle, stalling and surge)
* Improved acceleration
* Increased engine power
* Reduced emissions

Criticism

Several car manufacturers believe that using top tier detergent gasoline has an impact on all vehicles. Some critics believe that using top tier detergent gasoline is only critical on high-end vehicles; otherwise, using engine cleaner every 100,000 miles should clean up any carbon buildup.Magliozzi, Tom; Magliozzi, Ray; Berman, Doug. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/30/AR2007083001430.html Click & Clack: A Real Gas] . "The Washington Post". 2007-09-02. Page G02. Retrieved 2008-04-14.] [Allen, Mike. [http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_clinic/4235966.html Finding Top Tier Gas] . "Popular Mechanics". 2007-12-07. Retrieved 2008-04-14.] Other critics say that top tier detergent gasolines cause little or no decrease on the amount of buildup on a car's engine. [Healey, James R.; Woodyard, Chris. [http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2007-06-13-bad-gas-usat_N.htm Can discount gas crimp your ride?] . "USA Today". 2007-06-14. Retrieved 2008-04-14.]

Before a standard used was the BMW Unlimited Mileage Test. Arco claims to meet this. BMW now mentions Top Tier gas in it's owner's manuals but not the unlimited mileage test. Arco is not listed as a Top Tier gas.

Ford recommends BP fuels and mentions it on Ford car gas caps. BP is not on the Top Tier gas list. [www.toptiergas.com]

References

See also

* Vehicle Emissions
*Fuel Additives
*Gasoline