Upper Detergent Gasoline and Top Level Diesel Fuels are performance specifications and trademarks designed and supported by several major manufacturers - BMW, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi (in 2018). Each of these automakers recommends the use of Top Detergent Gasoline in the owner's manual. Top Tier fuels should maintain a level of detergent additive which results in higher engine hygiene standards and performance than EPA requirements. In addition, Top Tier Fuel may not contain metallic additives, which may compromise vehicle emissions systems and create pollutants. In 2018, Top Detergent Gasoline is available from 75 licensed retail brands.
Licensed Classified fuel retailers use a higher level of detergent additives compared to other Non-Tier retailers using only the minimum EPA detergent additives needed to help prevent the buildup of hazardous engine deposits that can reduce fuel economy and optimal engine performance. According to a spokesman for the automotive industry, regular use of this type of gasoline results in an increase in engine life.
Top Tier standards should apply to all classes of gasoline or diesel sold by the company, whether it is economy (low octane) or premium (high octane).
Video Top Tier Detergent Gasoline
Purpose of detergent in gasoline
Detergent additives serve to prevent the buildup of "gunk" machines, which can cause a number of mechanical problems. Automotive journalist Craig Cole writes, "Gasoline is an impure substance enhanced from a very impure base stock - crude oil.This is an explosive hydrocarbon cocktail containing all kinds of different chemicals.In addition to its own molecular variability, refiners and retailers include additional substances into the mixture, from ethanol alcohol to octane enhancers. "
While General Motors fuel engineer Andrew Buczynsky stated that nobody identified the right molecules in gasoline causing engine buildup, he insisted that consistent use of Top Detergent Gasoline would keep the engine cleaner. Machine guns typically form in fuel injectors and input valves, leading to reduced fuel efficiency, acceleration, and power, as well as increased emissions, rough idling, tendency to stall, and improved motor improvements. When fuel injectors accumulate deposits, they do not distribute the fuel evenly, making too much fuel bag and too little fuel. Too little fuel around the spark plug muffle the combustion that pushes the piston down and can cause jams. When the target frequency reaches a certain point, the on-board computer turns on the "service engine" light on the dashboard. The fix for this type of problem depends on the severity of the savings. In a milder case, a mechanic can solve the problem by adding an injector fuel-cleaning canister into the gas tank. However, in some cases, the fuel injector must be replaced. If the precipitate has been formed on the intake valve, they can be removed by blasting the walnut. In severe cases, more costly cylinder head reconditioning is required.
Some form of refined sulfur or outlet pipe in finished gasoline, such as mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide, can contaminate the fuel delivery unit and lead to erratic dashboard fuel readings, which may be expensive to repair. Regular Use of Gasoline Detergent Detergent can prevent this from happening. However, this problem is becoming less common as manufacturers now make these units with better alloys that are less affected by sulfur forms.
Chris Martin at Honda stated, "We have supported [Top Tier gasoline] because we have seen the benefits of it for our customers in the long run... We do not require our vehicle owners to use Tier Top gas [but it helps] ensure the machine will last for which they can. "
Maps Top Tier Detergent Gasoline
Top Tier Gasoline Characteristics
To be certified as a Top Tier, gasoline must pass a series of performance tests that indicate a certain level: 1) control of the deposit on the intake valve; 2) control of deposits on fuel injectors; 3) control of storage in the combustion chamber; 4) prevention of intake-valve attached. Petrol marketers agree when they sign up for the Top Tier program that all of their petrol value meets this standard. However, premium grade gasoline may have a higher level of detergent additives. Typically, Top Tier gasoline will contain two to three times the amount of detergent additives currently required by the EPA. Extra additives are estimated to cost less than a penny per gallon.
In addition to the requirements of detergent additives, Top Tier gasoline can not contain metallic additives, as it can be harmful for car emission control systems.
According to automotive industry research and automotive journalists, all vehicles will benefit from the use of Top Tier Detergent Gasoline over gasoline that meets basic EPA standards. New vehicles should benefit by keeping the engine clean and running optimally, older vehicles can benefit from improved engine performance and long service life.
History
In the late 1980s, automakers became concerned with fuel additives as the more advanced fuel injection technology became widely used in new cars. Injectors often become clogged, and the problem is that there are insufficient detergent additives in some gasoline. Automakers began recommending certain gas brands with sufficient content for their customers. But some fuel marketers still do not use detergents, and in motions supported by the automotive industry, the federal government mandates special additive levels. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced minimum gasoline detergent standards in 1995.
However, the new regulations have unintended consequences. The new EPA standards require a lower level of detergent additives than those used by some of the major fuel marketers. When new regulations come in, most of the gasoline marketers who previously provided higher levels of detergent reduced the level of detergents in their gasoline to meet the new standards. The level of EPA detergent additive is designed to meet emission standards but not the machine's longevity standard. Automakers say they see persistent problems such as clogged fuel injectors, and contaminated combustion chambers, resulting in higher emissions and lower fuel economy.
In 2002, automakers said that their improvement records show that EPA standards for detergents are not high enough, but the EPA is unresponsive when they ask them to raise standards. This concern is reinforced by plans to introduce a new generation of vehicles that will meet EPA's "Tier Two" environmental standards to reduce emissions. These vehicles require high-level detergents to avoid reduced performance. Cars with direct injection technology (GDI) are especially susceptible to carbon accumulation, and automakers recommend fuel with higher detergent rates to resolve the problem. Initially GDI is primarily available in high-end cars, but is now used in mid-range cars and economy cars, such as the Hyundai Sonata, Ford Focus and Hyundai Accent.
In 2004 representatives BMW, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota gathered to determine what makes good fuel. Using recommendations from Worldwide Fuel Charter, a global committee of carmakers and engines, they set the ownership standard for a gas class called "TOP TIER" Detergent Gasoline. This new standard requires increased levels of detergent, and limited metal content. Volkswagen/Audi joined the group of automakers in 2007. Gas brands can participate and obtain TOP TIER licenses if they meet certain standards, including performance tests for intake valves and combustion chambers, fuel inlet impurities, and incoming valves attached. Manufacturers additives pay for testing, fees varying from year to year, while gasoline companies pay an annual fee based on the number of stations operated to participate in the program.
In addition to the higher detergent levels, the Top Tier standard also requires that gasoline be free of metallic additives, which can be harmful for emissions control systems in cars.
In October 2017, the Upper Diesel Fuel program was launched.
Reception
Most fuel experts and auto mechanics who publicly comment on top level gasoline recommend it. A USA Today article in 2007 cited three critics who said it had little or no benefit, but the same article cited three new standard supporters. Tom Magliozzi, co-host of NPR's weekly radio show, Car Talk, said that using top-tiered detergent gas is only important in high-end vehicles. For other vehicles, he and other sources say that the periodic use of a concentrated cleaning machine every 100,000 miles will "often" clean up carbon buildup. However, journalist and auto mechanics instructor Jim Kerr says that with some brands of gasoline, deposits can accumulate on the intake valves in less than 10,000 kilometers (6200 miles). And General Motors fuel engineer Andrew Buczynsky says various engine cleaning additives available at auto parts stores should be used with caution. He says some work but most do not, and care should be taken when using this additive as some may contaminate the catalytic converter. Also, if overused, additives may be attached to the valve stem and cause them to hang open.
Most mechanics agree that the use of fuel consistent with adequate cleaning ability is the best. Magliozzi's co-host, Ray Magliozzi, said that to ensure preventing the buildup of fuel injectors and valves, motorists must use Top Tier gasoline "at least most of the time." Some others agree: Mechanic Pam Oakes says Top Tier gas is effective in cleaning the carbon from the engine and is worth buying. He said he saw the difference that can be made and recommend it to all his customers. Westside Autos in Clive, Iowa, and Era Motor columnist Larry Hammer also recommend the Top Tier to eliminate carbon accumulation, adding that a cleaner engine will also burn cleaner fuel and therefore produce less emissions. Automotive mechanics instructor Jim Kerr agrees: "All gasoline is not created equal... Top Tier does have benefits."
Availability
In 2004 this standard was adopted by ten gasoline distributors. Chevron and QuikTrip first, followed the same year by 76 Stations, Conoco, Phillips 66, Road Ranger, Kwik Trip/Huey Star, Shell, and MFA Oil Company. Since then, many more gasoline distributors have complied with TOP TIER's proprietary and gasoline standards now can be found at gas stations throughout the US and Canada.
TOP TIER is also available from selected brands in Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Puerto Rico. Fulfilling this standard allows petrol marketers to differentiate themselves from their competitors. All stations that sell the brand must meet the Top Level standards before the brand qualifies. They must pass a separate test measuring their gasoline ability to keep the intake valves, combustion chamber, clean fuel injectors, and to prevent intake valves from sticking.
TOP TIER Licensed Retail brand beginning in May 2018:
See also
- Vehicle Emissions
- Additive Fuel
- Gasoline
References
External links
- Official website
- An explanation video in the official blog post
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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