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Are you a top tier gasoline user?

Dave2020GT

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I don't use Tier 1 fuel sometimes, but generally I do. Probably an 80/20 mix. Im lucky the places that sell E85 are usually Chevorn stations here in S. Cali
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MadMan4BamaNATL

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"Top Tier" tag is not earned, but purchased. Theres stations that get the same gas as the "Top Tier" gas stations, but they don't get it to label their gas as "Top Tier".
That’s not true.

The Top Tier distinction comes from the amount of fuel detergent added to the gas. In many places, the detergent is added at the station, or it can be added at the distributor.

Rural and very remote areas have some challenges, but these places usually do not have Top Tier stations.

Anyone can remedy the lack of Top Tier availability by adding a bottle of Techron every 3000 miles.

I use QT most often for convenience and QT is Top Tier gas, but I too add a bottle of Techron every 3-5K just in case with Direct Injection to cut carbon build up.

Shell and Chevron are my favorites, but not often convenient for me.

The Top Tier program is not marketing or a myth, it’s real and it does matter if your vehicle is direct injection which the Bronco is.
 

MadMan4BamaNATL

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So while we are on this topic of fuels, I have a question. I have a Conoco 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?
Go to the station closest to you that is Top Tier. Fuel may not be the freshest, but stored underground it’s not like it goes bad, as that would take months and the temp in the tanks is much lower than on the surface.

You’re wasting gas and money going out of your way to get to that Costco, but they do have the freshest gas.

Again, in your case, a bottle of Techron every 3K to 5K is a good spend.
 

Beachin 74

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I fill up at Royal Farms sometimes. I don't know if their gas is "Top Tier", but their fried chicken is!
 

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Costco is about 1.5 miles from my house (along with Buc-ee's, and Bass Pro, and throw in a new Walmart with fuel to be completed in the next several months) so thats where I go unless I'm traveling.
 

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Costco is about 1.5 miles from my house (along with Buc-ee's, and Bass Pro, and throw in a new Walmart with fuel to be completed in the next several months) so thats where I go unless I'm traveling.
I now know where you live...within 1.5 miles anyway. :crackup:
 

thesocalexplorer

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I try and stick to top tier unless I'm out in the sticks, always have pumped premium since day 1.
 

Bobio

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Wouldn’t it be cheaper and more convenient to just add a bottle of the Techron yourself every 3-5?
 

5GENIDN

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Wouldn’t it be cheaper and more convenient to just add a bottle of the Techron yourself every 3-5?
Cheaper? maybe... More convenient? no, not at all.

Also.. just strikes me as if I were taking 6 aspirin every 12 hours rather than 2 every 4 like the directions say to do...
 

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Golfsnob

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Other than Circle-K, I can't think of a single station in my area that is not part of the Top Tier conglomerate.

Cheapest gas here is either ARCO or Sinclair. Both are Top Tier. So is Quick Trip which is the next lowest.
 

AZ_Liberty

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So ethanol blends don’t last nearly as long as ethanol free fuel (assuming all other factors are the same).
Other than 100LL Avgas, I have not seen ethanol free fuel in over 25 years.
 

MilesTeg

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Other than Circle-K, I can't think of a single station in my area that is not part of the Top Tier conglomerate.

Cheapest gas here is either ARCO or Sinclair. Both are Top Tier. So is Quick Trip which is the next lowest.
I was annoyed in my town when Shell sold all its stations to a garbage tier convenience chain that sells cheap but crap gas. Affected something like 80% of the stations in town. There's only a couple places that still sell Top Tier.
 

JSW377

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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.
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!
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