Major brands, geographic location, and engine type all matter when it comes to ‘Top Tier’ fuel choices.
Fuel is fuel, right? Well, we all know there’s a need for Premium fuel in our Benz, but as long as you get 91 octane or above (for our US-based folks), everything should be fine. Right? Maybe you’ve seen major fuel retailers tout “top tier” fuel, but you’re getting high octane, so its the best. Well, maybe not.
While we’re not suggesting changing up the octane rating you get for your ride, we are saying its worth taking a look at what “Top “Tier actually means.
From a chat in our forums, a simple post sparked an eye opening conversation. Forum member carlosinseattle posts the initial eye opener. In part, they explain:
“I’ve always bought premium, I thought I was getting top tier gas. I was wrong.”
The conversation then explains the difference between Top Tier and octane. Octane, whether measured through anti-knock index (AKI), motor octane number (MON), or research octane number (RON) is the fuel’s ability to resist detonation or knocking. This number is often totally separate from the fuel’s cleaning agents, which is where Top Tier takes center stage. This is less about making power, but instead, taking care of the inside of your engine.
A report from AAA covering Top Tier fuels quells any naysayers. Independent testing of different fuel types proves that cleaning agents in these fuels not only prevent carbon gunk from forming, but over time, clean out what may already be there. Forum member S_W222 summed it up best:
“This is huge… Good to know; I never expected the benefits to go that far!!!”
Newer cars with direct injection have a higher propensity to make carbon deposits on intake valves. AAA’s test used a port injection engine. So the intake valve carbon deposit tests here have no real world relevance for GDI setups. Combustion chamber carbon deposits are still able to be greatly improved, however. Same with fuel economy. Not by a lot, but about 2- to 4 percent improvement over time.
Location plays a big factor in this, as well. Some US locations only have 91 octane as their premium fuel. That’s the minimum recommended octane though, so it’s fine. 93 is available in a lot of cases, too. In many locations, a small ethanol blend is added. But all of those situations don’t account for additives, which is where Top Tier fuels still make the biggest difference.
It certainly makes you think again about where you’ll get your next fill up. And many members have noted that their car feels better after using a certain “brand” of fuel. How about your experience? Pop in to the forum and let our members know what kind of go-juice you use in your Benz.
Photos courtesy of AAA
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