Carpokes Porsche Forum

stitch2k1 wrote: Wed May 21, 2025 8:22 pm I have never subscribed to 'Top Tier' gas stuff. If it was established in 2004, then what benefits could be had in an engine from 1980? Possibly under highly highly highly modified engines, but in normal 944 motors? No, I don't think so.

I am open to having my mind changed with evidence to back up claims, but all I have heard over the years is hearsay and claims. The best was a Porsche dealership telling this guy with a 991 Turbo that because he used Mobil1 gas he destroyed three of the direct injectors in it.

Well, the claim about Mobil gas seems ridiculous as Porsche's OE engine oil for the 991 Turbo is made by Mobil, but OK.

I'm all about "top tier" or any company that portends adherence to the standard. What is the downside of such a thing? It may not be the be all, end all, but it is something. All engines from the early 1900s to 944s and beyond can benefit from a minimal standard of decent detergents in gasoline.

I've only had a few cases of bad gasoline causing serious issues in 20 years of working on Porsches for a living, and they have all been from "no name" gas stations. I'm not claiming that "top tier" will cure any ills, but it is at least a minimal standard for cleanliness. I also advise to drive on if you see the gasoline tanker truck filling the underground tanks, that can stir up whatever sediment might be at the bottom!

^^^^^ This. 100%

Top Tier is the real deal and it's basically all about the formulation of the additives. I've learned to check the pumps of supposed Top Tier brands just to be sure they are certified as such and hope that some random station is not run by a crooked operator. Checking the Top Tier site occasionally is probably good too.

So does the “top tier” symbol have to be on the pumps? The reason I ask is because I went to two stations which were designated as top tier and I couldn’t find anything on the pumps. (Quicktrip and Mobil)

Maruscmn wrote: Mon May 26, 2025 7:37 am So does the “top tier” symbol have to be on the pumps? The reason I ask is because I went to two stations which were designated as top tier and I couldn’t find anything on the pumps. (Quicktrip and Mobil)

My experience has been that the symbols are often small and placed in different spots - not always easy to find. Around here they mostly seem to be somewhere on the pump itself but I've also seen them on the pump handle. I've also encountered pumps/stations with nothing designated, same as you.

I found this at the Top Tier website:

"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."

"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."

How do I know I'm getting TOP TIER™ fuel?

A downside is that many stations are poorly maintained theses days and I question the effort made ensuring that the TT logo is visible. The "prominently displayed" request from Top Tier is not always followed - some may not display the info at all. Could always ask the inside attendant but that's iffy. Do they even know what Top Tier is?

In the rural areas (my aor), I have not seen the sticker but was in STL this weekend and saw it on the corner of the pump (mobile). Good to know!

Mike

As an aside --

A new Costco opened here in Bend early this year, and this one has gas pumps and great prices. Local stations quickly lowered pump prices, but almost as quickly started 'managing expectations' by stating that the fuel sold at Costco is NOT "Top Tier", and use that to justify their recovering-higher pump prices. The pumps at Costco do display a Top Tier sticker, plus the new attendant bibs now state "Top Tier" in very prominent locations front and back. Actually the lettering is in the Top Tier of all the messaging front or rear on those bibs. Seems appropriate.

And in a FWIW --
I track fuel consumption pretty religiously, and see about 2% drop in fuel economy with the Costco fuel in the Honda Pilot DD. I've only filled the Pilot a couple times this year, so the consumption data is really not big enough to draw a good conclusion. The 928 has recently moved over to the regular driver side, and the Pilot goes to Twilight Sleep for the summer and early fall. Not quite full hibernation state, so I likely won't have more data until maybe Thanksgiving.

At this altitude (~~4,000 ft.) the anti-knock capabilities of the fuel aren't at all strained. It's all down to available energy and the detergent packages in the fuel. I dump a double dose of Berryman's B12 into the 928 tank for its own hibernation times, and usually another heavy dose in the first fill following spring wake-up. Now that I think about it, I'll go do the same for the Honda fuel.

Funny folks would mention Costco is not " Top Tier " when it is so heavy in their advertising. Sam's Club, on the other hand is not " Top Tier ," and like blueline I do look for the designation almost always. The Cayman has gotten insanely good mileage ( way above the advertised averages ) and it has had almost only Top Tier fuel since day one. I will admit the mpg average has dropped since doing PCA DEs, ha!

The local Costco here has "Top Tier" displayed quite prominently as well.

Cheers

Gaspowered wrote: Tue May 27, 2025 2:32 pm The local Costco here has "Top Tier" displayed quite prominently as well.

Cheers

I don't go to our Costco very often but I need to check next time. I'm sure if yours, Willy's and Dr Bob's Costcos have Top Tier, then our nearest store will too.

In picking up a few track cars over the last few years, yanking vehicles around with a trailer, the Costco stations and their pricing can really save a bunch . I can state I have never been at one of their stations that did not list " Top Tier " on the pumps. I have been to the East Coast three times and toss in vacations in Hawaii and California ( no trailers involved there , ha ) and I can count at least 12 Costco Stores I fueled up at and the pumps have always been designated " Top Tier."