Automakers list the fuel recommendations for each car model in their owner’s manuals. Most drivers continue to choose the cheapest gasoline, rather than the best for their car. Top Tier gasoline was developed by four major automobile companies: BMW, Honda, General Motors, and Toyota. They wanted to increase the level of detergent in gasoline and improve performance in the process. It is not a brand. It is the gasoline that meets the highest standards of performance and engine cleanliness. The result is better for vehicles in several ways.

• Follows a set of standards for gas, developed by the four automakers.

• Detergents in gas clean engine deposits.

• Higher level gasoline contains more detergents, so engines stay cleaner

• Cleaner engines are more efficient and consume less fuel

• Cleaner, more efficient engines provide more power and acceleration

• Cleaner engines burn fuel efficiently and generate fewer emissions

• Especially high-end vehicles perform better

The creators of the higher-level gasoline standards believed that the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for detergents in gasoline were too weak. Most manufacturers were creating products that met the minimum standards, but no more.

• Low detergent gasoline allows deposits to build up on critical engine parts.

• Deposits in the engine cause stalling, rough idling, slow acceleration and more.

• Dirty engines get lower fuel economy than clean engines

• Dirty engines generate more harmful emissions and negative environmental effects

• Dirty engines generate less power and performance than higher-tier gasoline.

• Increase detergent for all octane grades of gasoline.

• May contain up to 10 percent ethanol by volume.

Gasoline retailers must meet high, top-tier standards and all of their gasoline grades must be approved by automakers as suppliers of detergent gasoline.

• Fuel marketers pay an annual fee based on the number of stations to use their designation.

• They must complete rigorous tests for the engines and cleaning the fuel injectors with their gasoline before they can call themselves Top Tier.

• Retailers must treat all their gasoline to the contracted level.

• They cannot change the detergent level in your gasoline or violate your higher level contract.

• Fuel marketers must submit their gas mileage and test data to be approved for their program.

Car owners can check the website http://www.toptiergas.com for a complete list of top tier fuel retailers.

Knowing the benefits of this will make it an easier decision when buying fuel for your car.