Why is Sunoco not a top tier gas
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Why is Sunoco not a top tier gas
I was reading through the owner's manual today and visited toptiergas.com. In Canada, Sunoco is listed as a top tier gas, but in the US, it is not. In the Northeast, Sunoco is one of the few brands that offer 93 octane. I'm confused.
Please don't turn this into a 'best gas' p**sing contest...
Thx
GP
Please don't turn this into a 'best gas' p**sing contest...
Thx
GP
#3
Burning Brakes
I thought Sunoco was bought up or merged with Petro Canada? All Sunoco stations that I am aware of, have been converted to Petro Canada, even when it's within a few blocks of each other.
#4
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
#6
Race Director
maybe this will be helpful ?
I just found it after a bit of "searching" here on the CF: www.toptiergas.com
I just found it after a bit of "searching" here on the CF: www.toptiergas.com
#8
#10
Le Mans Master
#11
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '13
To answer the original question, Sunoco isn't Top Tier in the U.S. because they either don't meet the specs or don't want to spend the money to prove they meet the specs. Also, to get Top Tier approval, ALL grades of their gas at ALL of their stations must meet the specs. BP Premium has an excellent reputation for cleanliness, and they say it meets the specs, but BP is not listed as Top Tier because their other grades aren't up to spec.
Some people say it's just a marketing gimmick, but we had a retired oil engineer posting here recently who claims there is a real difference.
Some people say it's just a marketing gimmick, but we had a retired oil engineer posting here recently who claims there is a real difference.
#13
Team Owner
To answer the original question, Sunoco isn't Top Tier in the U.S. because they either don't meet the specs or don't want to spend the money to prove they meet the specs. Also, to get Top Tier approval, ALL grades of their gas at ALL of their stations must meet the specs. BP Premium has an excellent reputation for cleanliness, and they say it meets the specs, but BP is not listed as Top Tier because their other grades aren't up to spec.
Some people say it's just a marketing gimmick, but we had a retired oil engineer posting here recently who claims there is a real difference.
Some people say it's just a marketing gimmick, but we had a retired oil engineer posting here recently who claims there is a real difference.
Having said that, I work in a business that deals with a lot of certifications of products, and marketing programs. My best guess (which I would place money on) is that Top Tier does in fact require that the fuel meets a meaningful standard, but that just because a refiner does not have Top Tier certification really means nothing because there is a good chance that they meet the requirements but don't feel a need to pay to be part of the program.
Long and short of it is that I consider it meaningless. Any known brand sold by a gas station that turns their fuel inventory over on a regular basis (in other words, they have plenty of traffic) is not going to damage your engine. I've been on this and many other auto/motorcycle forums every day for ten years now. And I can't remember a single incident of someone have a fuel related problem. By that, I mean the basic quality of the fuel.
#14
Team Owner
Techron is a Chevron/Texaco additive. Others may have something similar, but they don't have Techron. Chevron has spent a lot of money selling that as a "value add" selling feature of their gasoline. In fact, even GM recommendS adding the Techron additive by name as a fix for certain fuel gauge problems. They don't recommend any other similar product. It is a cleaning agent in the fuel btw.
#15
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St. Jude Donor '13
I did read once that Top Tier approval requires an actual engine test, where they disassemble the engine at the end and measure the amount of deposits. But i can't verify that.
Because so many brands are now on the Top Tier list, I make it my habit to buy from them if available. Ten years ago, not so easy.
Because so many brands are now on the Top Tier list, I make it my habit to buy from them if available. Ten years ago, not so easy.
#16
Advanced
Coincidentally, I work for Sunoco making gasoline and do not use it (even at a discount). More for personal reasons than anything else. No worries though, after July 2012, the gasoline you buy at a Sunoco station in the U.S. will be base gasoline blended to Sunoco standards as they have elected to sell or shutdown the last two refineries they own and exit the refining buisness. I ran Sunoco high test in my Vette for years and truly believe it to be excellent fuel. As to the original question, send an email to the public affairs person listed on the website and ask, you might get a reply.
#18
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
#19
Team Owner
My best guess (which I would place money on) is that Top Tier does in fact require that the fuel meets a meaningful standard, but that just because a refiner does not have Top Tier certification really means nothing because there is a good chance that they meet the requirements but don't feel a need to pay to be part of the program.
Our business is doing just fine without that sticker as are my cars if I am not using a top tier gas (which I do not know because I don't even follow it nor care about the list.)
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