With gas prices high and little relief in sight, drivers can at least try to make sure they are getting the best fuel for their money.
Some stations sell gasoline with more detergents, which help clean fuel injectors and other engine components. Here’s how to identify those brands and what the difference may mean for your car.
Look for TOP TIER Certification
Gasoline sold at U.S. fuel stations is required to contain a minimum amount of detergent under a law set by the EPA in 1997. These detergents help clean parts of the fuel system, including fuel injectors and intake valves.
Many gas brands have their fuel reviewed and tested by TOP TIER, a company endorsed by AAA that rates fuel quality for gasoline and diesel engines. Brands that meet its standards can use the TOP TIER mark.
Bill Studzinski, TOP TIER’s program manager, told the Detroit Free Press that the program’s standards call for at least two — and more often nearly three to four — times the amount of additive required by the federal minimum.
Which Brands Sell TOP TIER Gas?
Brands that have received TOP TIER approval include Shell, Citgo, Costco, Mobil, Marathon and Exxon. Approved stations generally display a TOP TIER sticker on their pumps.
Does Better-Quality Gas Cost More?
Gas prices depend on many factors, but price alone does not determine fuel quality. If a brand has TOP TIER approval, its fuel is held to the same standard throughout the United States.
Is Non-TOP TIER Gas OK?
There is nothing stopping you from using fuel at a station without TOP TIER approval, but it may contain fewer detergents and do less to clean the fuel system. Using approved fuel may help reduce potential engine issues over time. If an approved station is too far away and your tank is running low, use the closest station.
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