TOP TIER™ for Fleets
TOP TIER™ Detergent Gasoline can reduce carbon deposit buildup on fuel injectors and intake valves.
No matter the size of a vehicle fleet, the cost of maintenance and fuel can add up. But when fleets use fuel that meets TOP TIER™ Performance Standard requirements, savings can add up, too.
In today’s challenging environment — with increasing costs and supply constraints — businesses need to do the most with every dollar spent. Multiply the savings of fuel economy, reduced maintenance cost and less vehicle down time across the fleet — and get the most out of this significant asset.
- Reduce maintenance costs
- Reduce vehicle down time
- Improve performance
No matter the size of a vehicle fleet, the costs of maintenance and fuel can add up. But when fleets use fuel that meets TOP TIER™ performance standard requirements, savings can add up, too.
The regular use of TOP TIER™ helps prevent the loss of critical fuel economy and minimizes the buildup of carbon deposits. These deposits can affect the performance and potentially damage critical engine components.
In today’s challenging environment — with increasing costs and supply constraints — businesses need to do the most with every dollar spent. Multiply the savings of fuel economy and reduced maintenance across the fleet — and get the most out of this significant asset.
Why TOP TIER™ Diesel
Today's Engine
Engine Manufacturers Recommend
Better Performance
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.
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 emissions control devices like Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) systems and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).
Today's Engine
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.
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.
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
Why TOP TIER™ Gasoline
Automakers Recommend
Minimize Deposits
Emission System Protection
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, Daimler Truck, Toyota, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Navistar and Audi.
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.
The detergency package is validated at an independent ISO 17025 certified laboratory by the additive company to the TOP TIER™ Performance Standards (Gasoline Performance Standard / Diesel Performance Standard). Once the detergency package is approved by the TOP TIER™ automotive sponsors, the fuel supply terminal will then supply fuel with the agreed detergent and treat rate. Fuel marketers with a license agreement will purchase the TOP TIER™ fuel from the terminal.
There is a minimal annual license fee based on the number of service stations owned by the fuel marketer.
The TOP TIER™ program is not just about a high detergency rate and non organometallics. It is a robust engine cleanliness and performance specification designed to specific chemistry at a proven concentration. The approved detergent package applied at the specified concentration must pass the required testing and be approved for use in TOP TIER™ licensed fuel. A high detergency rate of a detergent that is not approved does not mean a fuel is TOP TIER™.
Random station audits are performed to ensure compliance to the stated standard. These audits are to provide an extra measure of confidence to the consumer. The TOP TIER™ logo indicates the station offers a fuel which meets an OEM designed performance standard.
TOP TIER™ is a widely recognized trademark which represents conformance to the requirements and conditions of the program. It may only be used on licensed retail brands.
All gasoline stations within a country under a licensed fuel brand must use TOP TIER™ approved additives at the specified detergency treat rate and contain no organometallic additives (MMT or Iron). Gasoline fuel marketers cannot select certain service locations under a specific brand to be TOP TIER™ certified.
Because of the complexity of the supply chain, diesel fuel marketers may enroll select stations in the TOP TIER™ program. You may direct consumers to your certified station by listing it within the website link provided on the TOP TIER™ licensed brands pages for gasoline or diesel. All grades of diesel fuel under the branded canopy must meet the TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel requirements (this includes No. 2 diesel).
No. Any fuel marketer can become a TOP TIER™ licensee by successfully completing the steps outlined in How to Become Licensed.
The TOP TIER™ license agreement states a specific minimum detergent treat rate. You are allowed to use up to three times that specific minimum detergent treat rate.
The additive companies supplying detergency additives will run the detergency additive packages on the new tests and provide you with approved treat rates and performance test data. If the TOP TIER™ program performance testing requirements change, the specified detergent additives will need to be run using those new tests in order to be considered for a TOP TIER™ license.
If a terminal only supplies LAC detergent level, work with them to see if they have any options to meet the TOP TIER™ detergent treat rates and requirements. Alternatively, consider other terminals that can supply TOP TIER™ compliant fuel.
The TOP TIER™ program is not just about a higher detergency rate, it also validates effectiveness of the chemistry of the detergent. It is an engine cleanliness to a performance specification. Merely adding more detergent does not necessarily mean a fuel is better. Fuel marketers can meet the TOP TIER™ specification requirements and offer TOP TIER™ certified fuel by using approved detergency additives at approved treat rates and becoming licensed.
TOP TIER™ represents a performance standard that the sponsoring OEMs support. Licensed fuel retailers are prohibited from saying they are better than TOP TIER™, as TOP TIER™ allows a range of approved additive concentration, therefore any approved treat rate is “TOP TIER™”.
Upon completion of a TOP TIER™ license agreement, your licensed brand names will be added to the TOP TIER™ website. The TOP TIER™ logo must be displayed at your service stations. You are also able to use approved TOP TIER™ merchandise and advertise your fuel is TOP TIER™ licensed.
If both of the fuels contain the TOP TIER™ approved additives at the approved treat rate using an in-line injection system at the fuel supply terminal prior to co-mingling, the test data provided for each fuel is sufficient.
A Higher Fuel Standard
Is TOP TIER™ Better?
What is TOP TIER™ gasoline?
