Top Tier Gasoline

For those of you that were interested in this topic from back in June,
the Road Ranger/Pilot
stations now have Top Tier gasoline. They are the first I've seen with
large Top Tier stickers on the pumps. I'm told they were certified in
late summer.

 

The "Top Tier" gas standard dictates the use of lots of ethanol. I refuse
to use it for that reason.

 

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

Shows Road Ranger, but not Pilot.

Of interest: Turkey Hill, which is a division of Kroger. I would have
thought they'd use the same gas as Kroger, but apparently not--either
that, or Kroger is using Top Tier gas but not advertising it.

 

And yet, it works great--at least the Shell stuff does. Better than
anyon else's gas.

 

I understand there are problems with 20% ethanol, but what's your
beef with 10%? Our cars run great on it, including my Civic EX.

 

Given the EPA tight control of gasoline formulas in certain areas, do
you really think it matters?

Ed

 

I wonder if there is a "licensing fee" you have to pay if you claim
you are using "Top Tier" gasoline? If so, that might explain why some
stations advertise the fact and other don't, even if they are getting
their gasoline from the same tank.

I came across this article on "Road Ranger" gasoline:
http://www.businessrockford.com/biznews/x1699626992/Road-Ranger-touts-gas-bought-straight-from-refineries

"Road Ranger promotes its gasoline as meeting "Top Tier" detergent
standards set by several automakers. Proponents say the additive
limits deposits in fuel systems and prolongs engine life, though there's
some debate whether it primarily benefits higher-end vehicles. Shell
and Phillips 66 also sell Top Tier gasoline locally, while other
retailers have their own blends of additives."

Ed


Ed

 

I don't like being used as a sugar tit for farm and ethanol industry
lobbyists.

 

you might enjoy this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_gallon_equivalent

10% ethanol drops energy content ~2%. we use about 378,000,000 gallons
of gas per day here in the u.s. anyone here good at business math?
what's the return on investment for showing up in washington with a few
million to, er, "lobby" our representatives for, er, "low emissions"
[10% ethanol] fuel? [factor in that ethanol enjoys producer tax breaks
too.]

and biodiesel - ever wondered why the owners of the distribution and
sales infrastructure can't be heard uttering a cheep in protest against
this stuff? could the fact that biodiesel has significantly lower
calorie content thereby increasing sales volumes have anything to do
with it?

bottom line - it's all about money and power - and continuation of same.
if there ever were actual intent to address consumption, emissions or
energy security, we'd all switch to diesel - much higher calorie content
and better thermodynamic efficiency means lower consumption and
therefore less of our money going overseas to despots and terrorism
sponsors.

 

Excellently put.

BTW, a lot of people around here are complaining about big reductions in
mpg since the intro of ethanol about a month ago. OTOH, I have
continued using Shell and the difference, (loss), is not apparent to me
so go figure...

JT

 

aromatics vs. olefins. if the latter is higher, it can compensate.
just like summer/winter formulations. but if you had olefins /and/ no
ethanol, you'd notice that.

 

Cattle ranchers in Tejas hate it. Drives up their costs. And you
know who pays for that.
--

- dillon I am not invalid

"Get a shot off fast. This upsets him long enough to
let you make your second shot perfect."

-- Lazurus Long

 

Yeah, but now you're on Archer Daniels hit list!

JT

 

If I'm like most of the people on their hit list, I'll be more than
happy to accept the traditional briefcase full of hundreds to change
my mind.
--

- dillon I am not invalid

"Get a shot off fast. This upsets him long enough to
let you make your second shot perfect."

-- Lazurus Long