Top Tier+ Gasoline

[Mavster Mechanic]

Per google etc - this is how the additives are added to the tanker truck:

“ Top Tier gasoline gets its detergent additives (the “Top Tier package”) primarily through a process called **splash blending** in the tanker truck itself, rather than being fully pre-blended at the refinery or terminal in most cases. Here’s how it typically works in the U.S. and Canada:

### 1. At the Terminal (Rack)
- The loading rack dispenses **unadditized base gasoline** (CBOB or RBOB) into the tanker truck’s compartments just like it does for non-Top Tier brands.
- While the gasoline is being loaded (or immediately after each compartment is filled), a precise amount of the brand-specific **Top Tier additive package** is injected automatically or manually into each compartment of the truck.

### 2. How the Additive Is Actually Added
There are two common methods:

**A. Automated Injector (most common at large, modern terminals)**
- The rack has a dedicated additive injector system tied to the brand’s additive tank (e.g., Chevron’s Techron, Shell’s V-Power NiTRO+ package, Exxon’s Synergy package, Costco/Kirkland’s licensed package, etc.).
- As gasoline flows past the loading arm, a metering pump injects the exact dose (usually 1–3 gallons of concentrated additive per 8,000–10,000-gallon compartment).
- The injector is controlled by the rack’s computer so the driver simply selects the correct brand/additive on the terminal’s preset panel.

**B. Manual “Jugging” or “Splash Can” (still used at some smaller or older terminals)**
- The driver (or terminal operator) pours pre-measured 1- or 5-gallon jugs/cans of concentrated additive directly into the truck compartment through the manhole on top right after the compartment is filled with base gas.
- This is why you sometimes see truck drivers on top of the tanker pouring in blue, red, or green liquid from plastic jugs — that’s the Top Tier detergent package.

### 3. Mixing
- No special mixing equipment is needed. The additive mixes adequately through **splash blending** — the turbulence as the gasoline is loaded and during transport to the station is enough for uniform distribution.
- By the time the truck reaches the gas station and pumps into the underground tanks, the additive is fully blended.

### Why It’s Done This Way
- Each refiner/marketer (Chevron, Shell, Exxon, etc.) guards its proprietary detergent chemistry, so terminals store dozens of different additive tanks and inject only the correct one when that brand’s truck loads.
- It’s far more efficient than trying to keep hundreds of pre-blended finished gasolines in separate at the terminal.

### Summary
For virtually all Top Tier brands, the magic doesn’t happen at the refinery — it happens in the tanker truck via a small but precisely measured shot of concentrated detergent additive injected or poured in at the loading rack. That’s what turns regular base gasoline into Top Tier fuel.”

I LOVE this post.
Thank you for adding it.

"1 to 3 gallons of additive is added to each 8,000 or 10,000 gallon tanker."

When you DIY and add a pint to your 15 gallon tank, I can see that doing something helpful.

15 x 128 oz per gallon = 1920 ounces

Pint = 16 oz

16/1920 = 8 parts per thousand cleaner

At the station you pay sometimes a lot extra for:

384 oz / 1,280,000 oz = 0.3 parts per thousand cleaner.

Scam.
Marketing.
But you do you.

Sponsored

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Try washing oil / grease / tar off your hands with 0.3 parts per thousand cleaner and let me know how it goes.

 

[Chops]

People that waste money on Top Tier Gasoline also think $2.00 bottles of drinking water is better the tap water for pennies. Buying designer gas from service stations that no longer offer any level service is nuts. Just they believe paying for little extra nitrogen in tires is a good value also...!

I save money by not using detergent when I do my wash. Not going to be tricked by the “Tide” marketing conglomerate!

And don’t get me started on Big Toothpaste…

 

[Deleted member 45110]

Yes, the gas the same. The Top Tier additives are added to the tanker truck at the terminal.

There it is
In the same truck thats delivering the fuel!

 

[Deleted member 45110]

Dont know all the gritty details about fuel stations across the nation.
But can look up how many plants their are and where states get fuel from.


Do know certain stations maintain there holding tanks better than others.

There was a particular Arco station in my brother's neighborhood that he and his neighbors ended up having problems with their vehicles. Coincidentally they all often used that same station.

 

[Chops]

I LOVE this post.
Thank you for adding it.

"1 to 3 gallons of additive is added to each 8,000 or 10,000 gallon tanker.

If you love it, why don’t you marry it?

A couple things. Don’t believe everything you read on an AI quote.
Secondly, Too Tier gas is usually the same price (or cheaper) than smaller outfits. Economy of scale. Finally, I do add Techron every 3,000 miles or so to keep my engine in Top Tier+ shape

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

If you love it, why don’t you marry it?

A couple things. Don’t believe everything you read on an AI quote.
Secondly, Too Tier gas is usually the same price (or cheaper) than smaller outfits. Economy of scale. Finally, I do add Techron every 3,000 miles or so to keep my engine in Top Tier+ shape

I view AI with extreme skepticism.

I have personally known the "splash blending" process for 20 years.

By the way; "premium" gas (that is high octane gas) does not cost more to make.
It only costs more to buy.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

The new Top Tier+ gas, besides being “stronger”, is supposed to have a “seafoam” effect on higher mileage vehicles.

I believe the working ingredients in SeaFoam fuel additive and Top Tier gas, as well as the Techron, is just Naphtha and Isopropyl Alcohol.

which reminds me (stupid slightly relevant story ahead);
in the 1970's there was an unusual cold spell in Central Oregon. Not just diesel, but gasoline was gelling in people's fuel lines. My family had the Chevron station in our small town, and we quickly ran out of bottled additive to prevent gelling. Travelers were getting stranded. My Mom called Chevron and asked them how long until the next shipment, and the person on the phone let them in on a secret; just add Isopropyl Alcohol in the same ratio as the anti-gel stuff per gallon. We had plenty on the shelves with the bandages and stuff. It worked perfectly.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

I view AI with extreme skepticism.

I have personally known the "splash blending" process for 20 years.

By the way; "premium" gas (that is high octane gas) does not cost more to make.
It only costs more to buy.

How do we know YOU aren't AI?

 

[Chops]

Try washing oil / grease / tar off your hands with 0.3 parts per thousand cleaner and let me know how it goes.

My hands would probably stay cleaner if I dunked my hands in Top Tier gas before handling the oil/grease/tar. I’ll give it a try.

 

[Deleted member 45110]

I believe the working ingredients in SeaFoam fuel additive and Top Tier gas, as well as the Techron, is just Naphtha and Isopropyl Alcohol.

which reminds me (stupid slightly relevant story ahead);
in the 1970's there was an unusual cold spell in Central Oregon. Not just diesel, but gasoline was gelling in people's fuel lines. My family had the Chevron station in our small town, and we quickly ran out of bottled additive to prevent gelling. Travelers were getting stranded. My Mom called Chevron and asked them how long until the next shipment, and the person on the phone let them in on a secret; just add Isopropyl Alcohol in the same ratio as the anti-gel stuff per gallon. We had plenty on the shelves with the bandages and stuff. It worked perfectly.

Well the people that make Crack
Methamphetamine chit
Found a concoction that rips through their system...
Just sayin....science

 

[zen_]

While I am reading all of this commentary about top tier and based on the website, have visited the brands that sell gasoline with it I wonder if anyone has ever tested the gas at the pump for it. All of the gas in my area is stored. And if you hang out at a gas station long enough, you'll notice that different carriers are used. And many of the pumps don't even display the top tier sticker. In fact, at one intersection the Mobil station on one corner is 5 cents more than the Sunoco one on another.

With the exception of Sunoco, all of these carriers are independents. Can someone verify that Mobil, Exxon, Valero, etc. actually makes sure stations branded with their name actually use top tier? Keep in mind, these are stations that are front by convenience stores like 7-11, Kenyon's, A-Plus, Kwik Fill, etc.

Unless something has changed drastically in the past 10 years, generally the additive pack is added to the fuel as it's being loaded onto the truck from the fuel terminal. There are the EPA minimums, top tier, and probably some others that may meet or exceed the top tier requirement, but don't pay the licensing fee. Hard to know what kind of actual testing is done though; without getting political I'm sure it hasn't gone unnoticed that the EPA is subject to the whims of political change. I swear Casey's fuel in particular is either above the listed ethanol blend, or they use some sort of crummy reverse benefit additive pack. On the other hand, brand name fuel stations do have some incentive to protect their brands.

I also suspect that the attitudes of automakers have changed over the past few decades. It used to be a point of pride (for some at least) to build vehicles that lasted, and Top Tier was part of that to bring up substandard fuel standards. Now it seems like most just want their vehicle to get to the end of the warranty period with the least cost for the manufacturer and first owner, then who cares what happens after that.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

How do we know YOU aren't AI?

AI has no sense if humor you ugly bag of mostly water!



(And wouldn't make a spellin error.)

 

[Cherokee]

Our 2023 Maverick hybrid has only seen 88 Octane ethanol-free gasoline. That is all it will ever see. The use of ethanol in gasoline was a way to find additional markets to use corn. Internal combustion engines like in the Maverick are built to run on gasoline.

Only non ethanol I’ve ever seen is 93 Octane.
My engine and Turbo like the real gas.

 

[Cherokee]

People that waste money on Top Tier Gasoline also think $2.00 bottles of drinking water is better the tap water for pennies. Buying designer gas from service stations that no longer offer any level service is nuts. Just they believe paying for little extra nitrogen in tires is a good value also...!

Ever seen an expiration date on a bottle of water ?
I have,
Did you know that water, ALL water is
FOUR BILLION years old ?

No ? I didn’t think so.
:’P

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