Top Tier Gas Recommended by AAA Automotive Experts for These Cars

How Car Owners Shop for Gas

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), Americans are six times more likely to choose a gas station based on gasoline price rather than quality. This is understandable---we should all be cost-conscious. However, this is a near-sighted view toward saving money.

A more far-sighted view would be to choose the gasoline that is actually rated best for your particular car to cut down on maintenance and repair costs down the road---which can be substantial. Especially in light of car engine problems in models that are prone to develop engine problems as well as models that are relatively higher than other models when it comes to engine work.

Earlier, we’ve discussed how that choosing the wrong octane fuel can destroy your engine and void your car’s warranty. And, have passed on that when it comes to choosing over buying regular, mid-grade, or premium gas, that car owners should really choose only the gas that is recommended in their owner’s manual.

Unfortunately, too many car owners mistakenly assume that buying higher premium gas is buying higher quality gas---whether or not it is recommended in their owner’s manual. It turns out that when it comes to the fuel you choose, however, there’s another step to consider beyond a fuel’s octane rating.

A recent AAA publication about gas prices reveals that many car owners do not know that there are substantial differences in the quality of gasoline sold at United States at gas stations whether buying regular, mid-grade or premium fuel. And what are the differences? The additives in the gas you buy.

Top Tier Gasoline

According to the AAA, their independent laboratory testing facility determined that gasoline that meets TOP TIER™ standards for enhanced engine-cleaning detergent additives, actually keeps engines significantly cleaner than other tested fuels. These additives minimize engine deposits, increase vehicle performance and improves fuel economy.

TOP TIER™ is described as gasoline that contains a standardized higher level of deposit control performance, better capable of keeping today’s more complex vehicles running at peak performance

Here’s an informative video that explains why TOP TIER™ gasoline was developed:

What is TOP TIER™ Gasoline?

Independent Laboratory Testing Findings

According to AAA automotive experts:

“Among brands tested, non-TOP TIER gasolines caused 19 times more engine deposits than TOP TIER brands after just 4,000 miles of simulated driving. Such carbon deposits can reduce fuel economy, increase emissions and negatively impact vehicle performance, particularly on newer vehicles.”

Their findings showed that continued use of fuel without Top Tier additives could result in getting 2% to 4% lower mpg, increased emissions, and a greater chance of maintenance issues.

As such, AAA experts recommend buying your gasoline at service stations that carry the Top Tier logo; which, in spite of paying a few cents more per gallon, actually saves money with the added improved fuel economy and vehicle performance benefits that prevents engine damage.

Damage such as, “…preventing intake valves and fuel injectors from becoming clogged with gunk, they can cause the engine to hesitate, idle roughly, knock, ping, or suffer reduced fuel economy.”

Car Makes Recommended for Top Tier Gasoline

Car manufacturers who currently recommend the use of Top Tier Gasoline include BMW, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Navistar, Volkswagen, and Detroit Diesel.

To find gas retailers that offer Top Tier gasoline, here is a link provided by AAA.

What If You Have Not Been Fueling With Top Tier?

According to AAA experts, even if you have been driving your car with non-Top Tier gasoline, it is never too late to get started doing so now. In fact, they state that in most cases, carbon deposits can be reduced or removed from critical engine components by switching gasoline brands to one that meets TOP TIER standards. For more about what the AAA has to say about Top Tier gasoline, here is a link to a useful Top Tier fact sheet from the AAA newsroom.

And finally…

For additional articles about cars and fuel, here are two selected articles about why “The Littlest VW SUV Could Be The Biggest New-Model Deathtrap”; and, “When Smelling Gasoline Around Your Car is an Immediate Problem.”

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

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