Top Tier Fuel

[gatornek]

91 octane and 93 octane are virtually the same.
93 octane is available at lower elevations, as you head towards the higher elevation states 93 octane becomes 91 octane. Air density makes the difference.

Never thought about it like that, but that makes some sense.

Sponsored

 

[gatornek]

Interesting how this turned into a discussion on octane when "Top Tier" fuel status has absolutely nothing to do with octane.

JMHO
No expertise implied or expressed

Thread hijacking is a real thing. ?

 

[gatornek]

Has anyone installed a Catch Can and if so has this increase performance ,reduced carbon in oil ?
Thanks.

This thread is about to REALLY get hijacked now!

LOL. You should really start a new one if you want to discuss this .... or add to the multitude of catch can threads that are here.

If you want my short answer, from someone who has previously found value in them, its 'no'. A catch can has two primary purposes. one is to reduce octane dilution from pcv gases, and the other is to help keep the top of your valves clean. I've had a UPR catchcan in my Mustang ever since I bought it. When I got the Bronco, I was pretty much ready to put one in. Then I noticed something, my vehicle is NOT a performance vehicle. I don't have to worry about octane dilution because it has a stock tune, and if at 100K miles I feel like my valves are dirty ... I don't think a walnut blast cleaning is too bad of a thing to do.

 

[davidg4781]

Interesting how this turned into a discussion on octane when "Top Tier" fuel status has absolutely nothing to do with octane.

JMHO
No expertise implied or expressed

That usually happens with thread about Top Tier.

And just to throw this out there... I've had family in the convenient store business. You can have a gas station branded one way but they'll get the cheapest gas they can find with zero additives in it. This could lead to someone buying non-Top Tier when they thought they were.

I started using Top Tier many years ago. My Honda was throwing code P0420. One dealership said I needed to replace my cat. I called another to see if they could look at it and they suggested I switch to Top Tier (and a few other things).

I noticed my local Shell did not have Top Tier stickers. I emailed their corporate office asking if this was because they didn't have the additives or if it was a mistake. The stickers were up the next time I filled up my tank.

 

[RushMan]

That usually happens with thread about Top Tier.

And just to throw this out there... I've had family in the convenient store business. You can have a gas station branded one way but they'll get the cheapest gas they can find with zero additives in it. This could lead to someone buying non-Top Tier when they thought they were.

I started using Top Tier many years ago. My Honda was throwing code P0420. One dealership said I needed to replace my cat. I called another to see if they could look at it and they suggested I switch to Top Tier (and a few other things).

I noticed my local Shell did not have Top Tier stickers. I emailed their corporate office asking if this was because they didn't have the additives or if it was a mistake. The stickers were up the next time I filled up my tank.

There are no gasolines with zero additives. In 1996, the US government mandated a minimum required level of detergents. Top Tier standards were developed for those refiners who wanted to produce even cleaner fuels, and gain a competitive advantage over their peers, at least in terms of public perception.
https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/not-all-gasoline-is-created-equal

 

[davidg4781]

There are no gasolines with zero additives. In 1996, the US government mandated a minimum required level of detergents. Top Tier standards were developed for those refiners who wanted to produce even cleaner fuels, and gain a competitive advantage over their peers, at least in terms of public perception.
https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/not-all-gasoline-is-created-equal

I stand corrected. Either way, the owners of those particular gas pumps did not care at all where their gas came from or what was in it. And I'm sure there are many more out there like that.

 

[westcoaster818]

I was watching a Porsche Workshop on YouTube last night and presenters were stressing the importance of using top tier fuel for engine health. I had never heard of top tier fuels. Service stations that use top tier fuel is supposed to contain additives that minimize carbon buildup in the engine. I have always purchased my gas from discounters such as Wawa, 7-11, Sheetz, and Liberty and none of those were on the top tier list, however I noticed that Marathon was. Marathon usually has fuel prices similar to the ones I use. I may be changing where I buy fuel. https://www.toptiergas.com/gasoline-brands/

One of the cool things with Broncos is they take 87. Dont waste your money on higher octane, its not a Porche

 

[CoastieN70]

Interesting how this turned into a discussion on octane when "Top Tier" fuel status has absolutely nothing to do with octane.

Exactly. Top Tier is simply a higher quality fuel with additives that enhance engine function.
If you are running a 1.5L engine in your Bronco Sport there is little or no advantage to running 93/91 octane fuel, basically you're wasting your money.
If you are running a 2.0L engine, then you will get more performance from the higher octane.
Either way, Top Tier in any octane is worth the money in engine function.

 

[Mark S.]

If you are running a 1.5L engine in your Bronco Sport there is little or no advantage to running 93/91 octane fuel, basically you're wasting your money.

That's not precisely true. The engine is rated at 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque using premium fuel. If you use regular, the powertrain control module will restrict power output to prevent detonation (knock). How much? Hard to say. An owner in the Mustang EcoBoost community put his car on a dyno to get before & after numbers switching between premium and regular. The engine is rated at 310 hp with premium, but his engine peaked at around 275 hp with regular. That suggests a 10% power reduction. If that holds true across the EcoBoost line then the 1.5L tops out around 165 hp with regular.

 

[CoastieN70]

That's not precisely true. The engine is rated at 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque using premium fuel. If you use regular, the powertrain control module will restrict power output to prevent detonation (knock). How much? Hard to say. An owner in the Mustang EcoBoost community put his car on a dyno to get before & after numbers switching between premium and regular. The engine is rated at 310 hp with premium, but his engine peaked at around 275 hp with regular. That suggests a 10% power reduction. If that holds true across the EcoBoost line then the 1.5L tops out around 165 hp with regular.

Ok I stand corrected...

 

[petegee77]

Presenters had favorable comments on Shell specifically.

I used to always use Shell. I felt my Mopars ran best on it. Sadly there are no more Shell stations in Western NY.
PS My Mopars, with carbs, ran like garbage on Mobil. Never figured out why but it made no difference which Mobil station I went to.

 

[ZQ8]

91 octane and 93 octane are virtually the same.
93 octane is available at lower elevations, as you head towards the higher elevation states 93 octane becomes 91 octane. Air density makes the difference.

The need for 93 is less at higher elevations and that is why 91 is available there. But 93 and 91 are not virtually the same. It cost more to refine to 93 than it does to 91.

 

[SeaJay]

Sigh, Another premium gas thread to hit the ignore button on.

 

[BroncoBoy25]

I read on this forum (from the manual) that premium fuel is recommended. I can only find 91 octane here in Tucson, but it did make some improvement over 87. But we do have Chevron, which I have read is the fuel that manufacturers use for their mileage numbers. Shell and Mobil worked best for my Mustang. For what it’s worth.

 

[Quashish]

When I had my Focus ST I would monitor the engine performance with the Cobb Accessport and note which stations would cause timing pulls or knocks. Shell gas ALWAYS ran the best for me. I never had any timing being pulled when I ran Shell 93. The only time I would go elsewhere is when I would switch to the e30 tune and needed e85.

That's strange in my experience my ST doesn't like Shell. But I don't have 93oct near me. Always fill up with chevron 91 with 91oct tune, unless I'm using my e30 tune, then I blend E85 with 76 91oct since that's the only station nearest me that has ethanol.

But even though it's probably not necessary, even in our big bend I would only run chevron 91. Just because turbocharged vehicles. Not sure low speed pre ignition is possible with automatic transmissions, but I figure, it's only a few cents more per gallon, and gas is expensive either way. Fuel is cheaper than an engine swap.

Sponsored