TOP TIER™ Approved Diesel Brands

Developed by light and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, supplied by participating retailers

TOP TIER™ Diesel is a fuel performance standard created to promote better fuel quality in the marketplace and address the needs of modern diesel engines. Developed and overseen by a consortium of both light and heavy-duty diesel manufacturers, and supplied by participating retailers, the TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel standard includes the following requirements:

  • Reduce both internal and external injector deposits which can lead to poor engine operability, reduced fuel economy and power, and increased emissions.
  • Provide increased lubricity to reduce wear on critical engine components
  • Improve fuel stability minimizing oxidation products that can degrade fuel quality and lead to corrosion, injector fouling and fuel filter plugging
  • Provide increased protection against water and particulates in the fuel storage and dispensing equipment from entering the vehicle fuel delivery system.


The TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel logo recognizes a retailer’s participation in the program and their commitment to supply fuel meeting the TOP TIER™ requirements. However, due to the complexity of the diesel fuel infrastructure and supply chain, not all stations of a given brand are required to supply diesel fuel meeting the requirements. So be sure to look for the TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel logo at participating stations.

top tier approved diesel
BrandCountry
Co-opCanada - select locations only
Costco WholesaleCanada - select locations only
Costco WholesaleUSA - select locations only
Kirkland SignatureCanada - select locations only
Kirkland SignatureUSA - select locations only
Neste MY Renewable DieselUSA, Canada

Today's Engine

Today’s diesel engines typically utilize high pressure common rail (HPCR) fuel injection systems that better regulate fuel pressure and injection timing for cleaner combustion. This technology also allows for implementation of catalyst emissions control devices like Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) systems and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). These advancements have resulted in higher operating pressures and subsequently tighter tolerances for moving parts in fuel pumps and injectors, in turn driving the need for improved fuel quality.

Engine Manufacturers Recommend​

The TOP TIER™ Approved Diesel Program is currently sponsored and overseen by General Motors, Volkswagen, Daimler Truck, Navistar and Ford – and recommended for both heavy and light-duty vehicles.

Better Performance

TOP TIER™ Approved Diesel was created to promote better fuel quality to maintain fuel economy, reduce maintenance costs, and reduce vehicle downtime. The performance standard is to be used in tandem with regional specifications or regulations. The TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel Performance Standard requires additive packages to: 1) reduce internal and external injector deposits, 2) improve lubricity to decrease wear on pumps and injectors, 3) improve fuel stability, and 4) reduce particulate and water contamination.

Better Performance

Today’s diesel engines typically utilize high pressure common rail (HPCR) fuel injection systems that better regulate fuel pressure and injection timing for cleaner combustion. This technology also allows for implementation of catalysts emissions control devices like Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) systems and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). These advancements have resulted in higher operating pressures and subsequently tighter tolerances for moving partis in fuel pumps and injectors, in turn driving the need for improved fuel quality.

Engine Manufacturers Recommend​

The TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel program is currently sponsored and overseen by General Motors, Volkswagen, Daimler Truck, Navistar and Ford – and recommended for both heavy and light-duty vehicles.

Today's Engine

Created in 2017 to promote better fuel quality, the TOP TIER Diesel Fuel standard provides a vehicle recommended fuel specification to be used in tandem with regional specifications or regulations. The TOP TIER™ Diesel Performance Standard requires additive packages to reduce deposits on internal and external injectors and other fuel system components, improve lubricity decreasing wear on injectors and engine components, improve fuel stability.

Engine Manufacturers Recommend​

The TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel program is currently sponsored and overseen by General Motors, Volkswagen, Daimler Truck, Navistar and Ford – and recommended for both heavy and light-duty vehicles.

The TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel program is currently sponsored and overseen by General Motors, Volkswagen, Daimler Truck, Navistar and Ford – and recommended for both heavy- and light-duty vehicles.

Better Performance

In addition to the requirements of ASTM D975 and D7467 specifications for diesel and biodiesel blended fuel in the U.S., the TOP TIER™ Diesel Performance Standard requires additive packages and good housekeeping practices to reduce deposits on internal and external injectors and other fuel system components, improve lubricity decreasing wear on injectors and engine components, improve fuel stability, provide increased protection against water and particulates introduced into the fuel storage and dispensing equipment from entering the vehicle fuel delivery system.

Today’s diesel engines typically utilize high pressure common rail (HPCR) fuel injection systems that better regulate fuel pressure and injection timing for cleaner combustion. This technology also allows for implementation of emissions control devices like Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) systems and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).

Today's Engine

Today’s diesel engines typically utilize high pressure common rail (HPCR) fuel injection systems that better regulate fuel pressure and injection timing for cleaner combustion. This technology also allows for implementation of catalysts emissions control devices like Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) systems and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). These advancements have resulted in higher operating pressures and subsequently tighter tolerances for moving partis in fuel pumps and injectors, in turn driving the need for improved fuel quality.

In addition to the requirements of ASTM D975 and D7467 specifications for diesel and biodiesel blended fuel in the U.S., the TOP TIER™ Diesel Performance Standard requires additive packages and good housekeeping practices to:

  • reduces deposits on injectors and other fuel system components
  • improve lubricity decreasing wear on injectors and engine components
  • improve fuel stability
  • provide increased protection against water and particulates introduced into the fuel storage and dispensing equipment from entering the vehicle fuel delivery system. 

Housekeeping

Water is the most common type of contamination in diesel fuel and if introduced into the vehicle fuel system can lead to corrosion, increased metal wear, ice during cold weather, plugged filters or screens, increased fuel degradation and microbial growth. TOP TIER Diesel Fuel suppliers take measures to protect against water in their fuel storage and dispensing equipment and must have a TOP TIER approved water detection process in place. Additionally, TOP TIER Diesel Fuel marketers must have filters on their dispensing equipment as the last point of protection against contaminants entering the vehicle fuel system, regardless of the source of the contaminant.

Water is the most common type of contamination in diesel fuel and if introduced into the vehicle fuel system can lead to corrosion, increased metal wear, ice during cold weather, plugged filters or screens, increased fuel degradation and microbial growth. TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel suppliers take measures to protect against water in their fuel storage and dispensing equipment and must have a TOP TIER™ approved water detection process in place.

Additionally, TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel marketers must have filters on their dispensing equipment as the last point of protection against contaminants entering the vehicle fuel system, regardless of the source of the contaminant.

Retailers Join the Program

Oxidation can cause fuel to take on increased water, leading to fuel filter plugging and peroxide/acid/gum formation, breaking down elastomeric seals or causing deposits/corrosion damage. TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel specifies higher oxidation stability than ASTM requirements for biodiesel fuels.

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.

Unlike the TOP TIER™ Detergent Gasoline program, the Diesel program is site specific, meaning some stations selling a given brand may offer TOP TIER™ Diesel while others may not.

Retailers Join the Program

Oxidation can cause fuel to take on increased water, leading to fuel filter plugging and peroxide/acid/gum formation, breaking down elastomeric seals or causing deposits/corrosion damage. TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel specifies higher oxidation stability than ASTM requirements for biodiesel fuels.

Housekeeping

Water is the most common type of contamination in diesel fuel and if introduced into the vehicle fuel system can lead to corrosion, increased metal wear, ice during cold weather, plugged filters or screens, increased fuel degradation and microbial growth. TOP TIER Diesel Fuel suppliers take measures to protect against water in their fuel storage and dispensing equipment and must have a TOP TIER approved water detection process in place. Additionally, TOP TIER Diesel Fuel marketers must have filters on their dispensing equipment as the last point of protection against contaminants entering the vehicle fuel system, regardless of the source of the contaminant.

Retailers Join the Program

Oxidation can cause fuel to take on increased water, leading to fuel filter plugging and peroxide/acid/gum formation, breaking down elastomeric seals or causing deposits/corrosion damage. TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel specifies higher oxidation stability than ASTM requirements for biodiesel fuels.

The Goal

Proper filtration reduces fuel contamination, maintains optimal performance for power and fuel economy and reduces unplanned maintenance of fuel filters, pumps and injectors.

Water is the most common type of contamination in diesel fuel and if introduced into the vehicle fuel system can lead to corrosion, increased metal wear, ice during cold weather, plugged filters or screens, increased fuel degradation and microbial growth. TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel suppliers take measures to protect against water in their fuel storage and dispensing equipment and must have a TOP TIER approved water detection process in place.

Additionally, TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel marketers must have filters on their dispensing equipment as the last point of protection against contaminants entering the vehicle fuel system, regardless of the source of the contaminant.

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.

Unlike the TOP TIER™ Detergent Gasoline program, the Diesel program is site specific, meaning some stations selling a given brand may offer TOP TIER™ Diesel while others may not.

Light and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers develop performance requirements based on evolving engine technology, fuel marketers and retailers choose to enroll and be recognized as a supplier of fuel meeting the TOP TIER™ requirements.

Working together to improve customer satisfaction!

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