While waiting for a traffic light, I was handed a shiny flier with the ARCO label on it. "Top Tier Fuel" it shouted (exclamation point).Top tier fuel by definition, has to have all of the driveability and system protection goodies, like METAL DEACTIVATOR and high temperature carbon formation inhibition.I have no idea or proof if the station is actually handling Top Tier fuel but rather I am reporting on the flier I was handed. USA brand stations continue to be priced 35 centavos/litro higher than other stations. But rumor is rife that the new stations are delivering litros completos. Six percent of three dollars and forty cents (gallon) isn't chicken feed according to my wallet.

I researched this "Top Tier Gas" subject a few years ago. This "grade" of gas suposivly has some extra stuff in it...but for me,especially with my RV, the reality is:When traveling , say, coast to coast or a long trip that requires on the road fillups, when y'need gas, y'need gas. SOMWHERE...you might find "top tier". Also, IMO,(again reality), it doesn't matter at all if you NEVER get "Top Tier". Gas is gas, comes from the same tank farm and these whatever additives are added to the tanker truck there, depending on the brand.Here, in beautiful downtown New Jersey, only VALERO has "Top Tier" stickers on their pumps. So...with all the brands available to me...and only 1 brand mentioning it, how important is it?

For it's extended range electric cars, in the manual, General Motors directs only using 'Top Tier' fuel as it has fuel stabilizer that protects the gas for 12 months (after which, if it isn't used up, the car will run the engine to burn it off). Apparently, TT has an additive like Stabil already in it.

I've never used anything but top tier gas. It's recommended by most auto manufacturers, and has a higher level of detergents and additives to prevent the buildup of c@@p in your engine.It amuses me the folks who use the cheapest stuff possible then advocate sea foam and the like. Keep it clean I the first place!

I always buy the finest canned gasoline for my car and truck, none of that c**p they sell out of a pump - gosh, who knows where that nozzle has been or what other chemicals the tanker may have been hauling on its last assignment.

Like Mrs Bucket(bouquet) I ask for the gas at the top of the underground tank only.

ARCO TOP TIER GASOLINE | Good Sam Community

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 18, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Top Tier Gas........blah blah blah

I only purchase 'Premium Diesel'
I like paying top tier prices for all those goodies

Even though it is NOT recommended by engine mfgs and it is very hard to find

So I have a 500 gallon trailer I tow around with premium diesel

Just curious as to what 'Premium diesel is?

Living in America, we pay 'top tier' for everything, if it is, in fact, or not.

Premium Diesel has a higher cetane number (equal to or greater then 45. US Law has 40 as minimum cetane), better lubricity and includes detergents that provide injector-cleaning capability versus standard #2 diesel.

Course very few stations list cetane numbers...and very FEW have premium. And if they do it is roughly 10% higher priced
Amoco, Texaco, Hess etc

No I do not have a 500 gal tank I drag around NOR do I use premium diesel.
My tractor motor rolls coal just fine on regular old #2
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Dec 18, 2017
Careful or honest business might catch on in MX

The pressure to wear a halo would have to come from outside influence. It costs roughly double the amount in dollars to create a Franquicia Pemex, than it does to open a same size gas station in the USA (property value not counted)

Gas-and-Go would take on a whole new meaning if they tried self-serve down here.
navegator
Explorer
Dec 18, 2017
No Mexican high society woman is going to get out of the Mercedes-Benz or BMW and pump her own gas ever!

And those atendants have a job!

And yes there are economic clases in Mexico like it or not it is the way it is.

navegator
Wm_Elliot
Explorer
Dec 18, 2017
"Just curious as to what 'Premium diesel is?" Years ago a few stations in New England offered Premium Diesel - It was dyed red and there were noticeable differences. My 1983 6.2 GMC pickup produced 120 HP, and while towing a 3 ton travel trailer mileage and performance was better.I'm not sure what made the fuel better, but it was, at least from my experience.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Dec 18, 2017
Old-Biscuit wrote:
SidecarFlip wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Top Tier Gas........blah blah blah

I only purchase 'Premium Diesel'
I like paying top tier prices for all those goodies

Even though it is NOT recommended by engine mfgs and it is very hard to find

So I have a 500 gallon trailer I tow around with premium diesel

Just curious as to what 'Premium diesel is?

Living in America, we pay 'top tier' for everything, if it is, in fact, or not.

Premium Diesel has a higher cetane number (equal to or greater then 45. US Law has 40 as minimum cetane), better lubricity and includes detergents that provide injector-cleaning capability versus standard #2 diesel.

Course very few stations list cetane numbers...and very FEW have premium. And if they do it is roughly 10% higher priced
Amoco, Texaco, Hess etc

No I do not have a 500 gal tank I drag around NOR do I use premium diesel.
My tractor motor rolls coal just fine on regular old #2

All my diesels 'roll coal', truck and all the tractors. I'm old school.. If there is no smoke, there is no fire and if there is no fire there is no power....

Never be a DEF engine at this farm and if I'm forced by legislation to own one, it will get 'deleted' immediately.

DEF makes great liquid fertilizer and smells like cat pee and thats about it, Been applying DEF as a foliar innoculant for quite some time now. Beats mixing granulated 28 and applying that, much easier and DEF is actually less expensive per quantity used.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Dec 18, 2017
Isn't PEMEX 'Top Tier' motor fuel?
rocmoc
Explorer
Dec 18, 2017
All ARCO TOP TIER GASOLINE / FUEL is PEMEX Fuel. No diff as discussed on the bajanomad forum for some time. There has been a number of Arco stations in Baja for a while. Except near the USA / MX border and Baja Norte where the fuel comes from Texas.

Of course I use Gas Buddy Top Tier Fuel. When the app actually can find cheaper fuel in Mexico, then there will be progress.

rocmoc n AZ
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 18, 2017
Wm.Elliot wrote:
"Just curious as to what 'Premium diesel is?" Years ago a few stations in New England offered Premium Diesel - It was dyed red and there were noticeable differences. My 1983 6.2 GMC pickup produced 120 HP, and while towing a 3 ton travel trailer mileage and performance was better.I'm not sure what made the fuel better, but it was, at least from my experience.

Dyed Red is NOT 'premium diesel' fuel........it is NON-HWY Fuel that is NOT TAXED.

By law, this dyed gas is only for use in off-road vehicles, such as farm tractors, heavy construction equipment, and generators.

If dye is found in an on-road vehicle, the penalties can run into the thousands of dollars.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Dec 19, 2017
Isn't PEMEX 'Top Tier' motor fuel?

Not if the Magna has been refined in Mexico. In my Mitsubishi V6 over a couple thousand miles of straight Mexico Magna, the engine will repeatedly stall after starting -- stall when rolling to a stop sign with a warm engine, hesitate fart and snort. Almost makes the car undrieveable. These are not subtle symptoms. They are rude and nasty.

A dose of TECHRON cures the problem inside of 50 miles. The engine will behave itself for a few thousand miles then start back on a hissy fit.

When I use exclusively Pemex Premium no problem, 30,000 miles proved it.

When I use Baja California Pemex Magna, no problems after 12,000 miles.

Mexican Magna has a problem I have not seen in any USA regular gasoline. No fuel has pinged or detonated by the timing is computer controlled and when the engine misbehaves mileage isn't for snot.

Magna made in Mexico - bottom drawer for me. But lots of people use it and it works the same as any other gasoline. I wish my Mitsu engine wasn't so fussy.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Dec 19, 2017
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Wm.Elliot wrote:
"Just curious as to what 'Premium diesel is?" Years ago a few stations in New England offered Premium Diesel - It was dyed red and there were noticeable differences. My 1983 6.2 GMC pickup produced 120 HP, and while towing a 3 ton travel trailer mileage and performance was better.I'm not sure what made the fuel better, but it was, at least from my experience.

Dyed Red is NOT 'premium diesel' fuel........it is NON-HWY Fuel that is NOT TAXED.

By law, this dyed gas is only for use in off-road vehicles, such as farm tractors, heavy construction equipment, and generators.

If dye is found in an on-road vehicle, the penalties can run into the thousands of dollars.

Only if you get caught....:B

Forum Discussion

ARCO TOP TIER GASOLINE

About Bucket List Trips

Related Content

Top tier gasoline.

Tiers of Motohomes

Arco Norte Robbery

Gasoline/Diesel Shortages

Green Gasoline