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For many Americans, two factors drive their decisions on where to fill up their tanks: price and location. According to research by AAA, around three-quarters of people choose their gas station based on where it is and what it charges. Almost a third consider rewards programs so they can earn points or cash back .
What's striking is that only 12% look for high-quality fuel -- which can impact fuel economy, emissions, and overall performance. If you're trying to stick to a budget , saving a couple of cents by buying cheaper fuel can end up costing you more.
What makes good quality gas?
You might have seen Top Tier branded gasoline at the pump and wondered if it's worth the extra cost. The answer is a strong yes, according to AAA. Top Tier gas essentially contains extra detergents that clean your engine while you drive. It reduces the build up of harmful engine deposits that can impact your car's performance.
We're not talking about the difference between, say, store-brand and name-brand cereal here. There is a significant difference in fuel quality.
An AAA study in 2016 tested various fuels over 4,000 miles of simulated road. The engines in non-Top Tier fuels had 19-times more deposits than those with enhanced detergents. As car engines become more sophisticated, those kinds of internal build ups can have more of an impact on the engine.
Top Tier fuels were developed by top car makers who felt that existing fuel regulation standards didn't do enough to keep engines clean. The good news is that many popular gas brands sell Top Tier fuels. Even better? Consumer Reports points out that when a station sells Top Tier fuel, all of its fuel needs to meet those standards. You don't need to pay for premium gas to get the enhanced detergents.
How much more expensive is Top Tier fuel?
AAA says Top Tier gas costs about $0.03 more per gallon. It urges drivers to switch because it argues the amount they'll save on maintenance will more than outweigh the extra cost. Given that the average price per gallon is $3.374 right now, we're talking about spending an extra 1% on fuel to cut your repair costs.
Speaking of maintenance, keeping your tires fully inflated and reducing unnecessary weight in the car can also make a difference in terms of engine efficiency. You can also lower your gas costs by combining errands to reduce your mileage and avoiding idling.
These 67 gas stations sell Top Tier fuel
Popular brands such as Chevron, Mobil, Shell, and Texaco all sell the enhanced fuel. Costco gas fans will be delighted to see the popular warehouse on the Top Tier list. Many of the stations below also have fuel rewards programs, which can be another excellent way to reduce your driving costs.
Here are the U.S. stations that sell Top Tier fuel:
- Agua Caliente Fuel
- Aloha
- ARCO
- Beacon
- Belmont Car Wash
- Cenex
- Chevron
- CITGO
- Conoco
- Costco Wholesale
- CountryMark
- Dash In
- Diamond Shamrock
- Eagle Feather Trading Post
- Express Mart - Wisconsin
- Exxon
- Fast Fuel
- Feather Falls Mini Mart
- Gold Medal Gasoline
- Harmons Fuel Stop
- Hele
- HFN - Hawaii Fueling Network
- J&E Wendy
- Kirkland Signature Gasoline
- Marathon
- Mega Saver
- Meijer
- Meijer Express
- Mobil
- Morongo Travel Center
- Mountain Sky Travel Center
- Ohana Fuels
- Pahvant Travel Plaza
- Pechanga Gas Station
- Phillips 66
- QT
- QuikTrip
- Ranger
- Ranger Fuel
- Ranger Mustang
- Ranger Stallion
- Ranger Thoroughbred
- Reeders
- Road Ranger
- Rutter's
- Shamrock
- Shelee's Travel Center
- Shell
- Shell Nitrogen Enriched
- Shell V-Power
- Shell V-Power NiTRO+
- Shivwits Fuel Station
- Simonson Station Stores
- Sinclair
- Sunoco
- Texaco
- Torres Martinez Travel Center
- True Turbo
- Tulalip Market
- Uncle Buddy's Pumps
- Valero
- Value America
- Waterway Fuels
- Win Win
- Wintun Mini Mart
- WOW
- Yokut Gas Station
Think about price and quality when you buy gas
Top Tier says that around a third of gas stations sell the enhanced gas, so you'll almost certainly be able to find one near you. Not only that, but there are enough stations to make it worth shopping around to find the best price locally. Use apps like GasBuddy to compare prices.
Retailers often advertise so-called "enhanced" products at premium prices that actually aren't that different when you get down to the nuts and bolts. But there are times when the extra cost is not only worth it, but could also pay for itself. Top Tier gas is one of those times.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. Emma Newbery has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool recommends Maker. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .
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