About
TOP TIER™
TOP TIER™ Approved Fuels meet the high-quality fuel performance standards developed by some of the leading automotive and heavy-duty equipment manufacturers. TOP TIER™ provides benefits to consumers, retailers, and vehicle manufacturers by improving fuel quality to meet the increasing demands of evolving engine technology.
TOP TIER™ Fuel can reduce build up deposits on fuel injectors and on intake valves.
This can restore engine performance, vehicle responsiveness and fuel economy.
A Higher Fuel Standard
Is TOP TIER™ Better?
What is TOP TIER™ gasoline?
Automakers Recommend
Minimize Deposits
Emission System Protection
Today's Engine
Engine Manufacturers Recommend
Better Performance
Automakers Recommend
Many of the leading automakers sponsor the TOP TIER™ program and recommend its consistent use in vehicles to minimize carbon deposit build-up and keep engines operating as designed. The number of sponsors has grown over the years and now includes BMW, General Motors, Stellantis, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Navistar and Audi.
Fuel Standards & Detergency
In the United States, fuel standards are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 1996 EPA established a gasoline deposit control additive program to ensure that all gasoline used in the United States contains additives that limit the formation of such deposits. This is known as LAC (Lowest Allowable Concentration). Over the next 8 years, automakers saw evidence that detergency levels should be higher for optimum performance and introduced the TOP TIER ™ Performance Standard in 2004.
Minimize Deposits
Deposits that form in engines and fuel delivery systems can cause performance issues such as reduced fuel economy, increased emissions and drivability problems such as hard starting, hesitation and stalling. TOP TIER™ Detergent Gasolines use additives tested and shown to minimize deposits.
Emission System Protection
TOP TIER™ prohibits the use of organo-metallic additives that are known to damage catalytic converters.
Retailers Join the Program
Fuel marketers and retailers voluntarily join the TOP TIER™ program and agree to supply fuel meeting the Performance Standard using TOP TIER™ approved additives at a specified concentration. TOP TIER™ retailers supply fuel meeting the requirements at all their stations in all octane grades offered.
The Goal
Automotive manufacturers develop performance requirements based on evolving engine technology, fuel marketers and retailers choose to enroll and be recognized as a supplier of gasoline meeting the TOP TIER™ requirements.
Working together to improve customer satisfaction!
Many fueling stations selling TOP TIER™ licensed brands prominently display the TOP TIER™ logo on the pump, pump handle, canopy or in a station window. The TOP TIER™ logo means you’re getting fuel that meets the performance requirements set by engine manufacturers.
You can also check the TOP TIER™ Fuel Stations list. If the brand of gasoline or diesel on the signage or the dispensing pump is not listed, the fuel is not TOP TIER™. If a retailer is on the brands list but a TOP TIER™ logo isn’t displayed at the station, please contact us.
TOP TIER™ is a fuel performance standard written by auto manufacturers to assist in keeping the engine cleaner, thus resulting in improved customer experience. Since auto companies are not able to dictate fuel regulations or fuel standards, the TOP TIER™ logo serves as an indication of a station where the fuel marketer is supportive and offers the vehicle manufacturer’s request for higher standards in fuel. The ultimate goal of the program is satisfaction of our common customer – the vehicle owner.
Is TOP TIER™ only for premium gasoline?
No. The terms premium, mid-grade and regular refer to octane rating. Premium gasoline is generally considered any gasoline with an octane level of 91 or greater. Gasoline with an octane level of 87 is considered “regular,” with gasoline sold at 89 octane often labeled “midgrade” by many gas stations.
TOP TIER™ refers to the use of Deposit Control Aditives (or detergents) at levels shown to keep carbon deposit build-up below a threshold set by the program sponsors. All octane grades of gasoline benefit from the addition of detergents. TOP TIER™ retailers supply gasoline meeting the performance requirements in all octane grades offered – at all their sites.
We always recommend consulting the owner’s manual for any vehicle specific instructions.
TOP TIER™ Fuel Standards keeping pace with evolving engine technologies
TOP TIER™ Fuel Standards keep injectors and valves clean
TOP TIER™ Fuel Standards are developed by many top auto manufacturers to improve engine performance.
Audi
BMW
Ford
GM
Honda
Daimler Truck
Mercedes-Benz
Navistar
Stellantis
Subaru of America
Toyota
VW