Top Tier Gas!

Chiketkd · #1 07-18-2005, 08:57 PM

In the August '05 issue of Car & Driver there's an article on page 30 by Larry Webster discussing a group formed in 2004 by representatives from BMW, GM, Honda and Toyota. The group decided upon a uniform standard for gasoline in which the chemical composition of the gas was consistent across all octane levels and had the required amount of cleaning detergents per gallon. The group labelled their standards 'Top Tier' and sent these guidelines to each gasoline retailer nationwide.

www.toptiergas.com

To date only 8 retailers in the US have met these requirements and they include:

QuikTrip
Chevron
Conoco
Phillips
76
Shell
Entec Stations
MFA Oil Company

Needless to say, I'll be visiting my local Shell & Chevron more often!

-Chike

thundering02 · #2 07-18-2005, 08:58 PM

QT is less than 30 yards from my house. Right across the street.

Royal Tiger · #3 07-19-2005, 06:57 AM

Isn't Chevron owned by BP? I put generic 87 in my 2 cars now (WaWa or Sheet's) but the S4 will only get Mobil 93 or Shell Ultra. The generics are usually a few cents cheaper and they buy thier gas form the majors anyway.

Shadow248 · #4 07-19-2005, 10:03 PM

The funny thing about that is that most chains are owned by one of the two major companies and all the gas for those stations is the same. Then there are stations that buy gas from different companies depending on prices. So I wouldn't put too much stock in that list.

#5 07-19-2005, 11:09 PM

The Top Tier grading system has been in effect for about the last 16 months or so. I believe Chevron was the first to qualify with all of its pump blends classified as Top Tier. In fact,Chevron has always qualified as the gasoline with the highest blend of chemicals formulated to clean your engine which they use under there trademark name Techron. Which is considered the industry benchmark by many for engine cleaning. Shell recently followed by introducing its new VPower premium blend. But, I believe, only Shells premium qualifies as Top Tier. Unless they have reformulated there lower grades of gas in the last few weeks.

#6 07-19-2005, 11:10 PM

Repeated post..

Chiketkd · #7 07-20-2005, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVXtra

But, I believe, only Shells premium qualifies as Top Tier. Unless they have reformulated there lower grades of gas in the last few weeks.

In order to qualify for Top Tier, all fuel grades must meet their requirements.

-Chike

P.S. I filled up with Shell premium at lunch today! No more discount premium in this car!

#8 07-20-2005, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Isn't Chevron owned by BP

I believe BP purchased Amoco. And Chevron purchased Texaco. Its interesting that Texaco is not on the Top Tier list along with Exxon/Mobil.

1992SVX · #9 07-20-2005, 08:07 PM

around here shell bought texeco

#10 07-20-2005, 08:26 PM

In my neck of the Northern Virginia woods its also called Chevron but Chevron still owns Texaco. Shell has not made a recent purchase of Texaco. But I would love to hear about it if they did! Considering the fact I own 270 shares of Royal Dutch Shell or Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij. I would certainly hope RDS would advise its share holders of an acquisition of that size.

http://www.chevron.com/news/press/2005/2005-05-09.asp

1992SVX · #11 07-21-2005, 08:22 AM

there is a chevron by my house and that was always a chevron. all the texaco's turned into shell's. that y i thought shell bought texaco

#12 07-21-2005, 01:54 PM

Thanks for the explanation.

I can clearly see how Shell purchasing the property of former Texaco station's could perhaps cause a bit of confusion.