Boy, this certainly got out of hand.
I'd need to see some data that supports the statement that the detergent package changes as the octane rating increases within a given brand. That is certainly the case between brands. Certain standards must be met to be classified as a top-tier fuel. Beyond the minimum standards, the brand can change its packages. Yes, even Costco meets those minimum standards.
There is no question that both the detergent packages and the packages that determine octane ratings change from top-tier fuels to run-of-the-mill fuels. Even the Mom and Pop stations can have top tier gasoline dependent upon how they order their fuel.
It is certainly true that the bulk fuel itself comes from a limited number of refineries. Most often the additive packages are added as the fuel goes into the tanker truck.
Since manufacturers will never share their "Secret sauce" and i am not a chemist, it will be impossible for me to give you a chemical breakdown and comparison that you're looking for. I read this statement somewhere a number of years ago from a reliable source, but in my search to find it i can only find a reference to it on kelley blue book in the last paragraph of this article.
https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/should-you-use-premium-gas/
I would keep searching but im only going to be able to provide other general references like this. Believe it if you want, don't if you don't.
I need to see real links for real data to back this up. You might be going by those gas company ads and signs that claim their 93 contains more whatever.
See my above reply to gearhead
You won't, because he's wrong. At least partially. "Top Tier" as a brand defines an additive package that passes certain standards to minimize deposits and prevent valve sticking in certain, internationally recognized tests. The entire test document can be found here:
You'll notice that the word "octane" doesn't even appear in this document.
Do some companies choose to put more in? Who knows, maybe, maybe not. Additives likely aren't cheap, so I can't see why they would if they're already meeting all these tests. Would more additives be better, if you're already meeting these tests? I don't know... at some point, I'm sure you can get too much additive and start causing other problems.
Reality is, Big Oil isn't going to publish details of their add packs because they are trade secrets. Plus they love to use them in marketing so you think that you absolutely must run 93 V-Techron Ultra Supremium gas in your Yugo, lest its valves all simultaneously stick and the whole car catch fire. Sticking with Top Tier, you know that at least the fuel meets a minimum standard.
I personally try to always run Costco/Kirkland fuel when I make a sojourn north to the local Costco (and it's less BOHICA pricing than anywhere else around) and QT/QuikTrip otherwise because it's convenient. We have a Buc'ees as well, but I don't use their gas because they don't certify to Top Tier, so I have no real clue what's in it (or not in it).
The word "minimum" also does not appear in that document either, only maximum allowable limits, which i find strange. i also agree with your other points, so unfortunately im unable to provide any concrete figures of what brand A and brand B have in their 87, 89, or 93 octane by volume. So really all we have to go by are the marketing departments and the few mentions it from various automotive sources.
That is incorrect. Top Tier has more than the EPA minimum. There is nothing keeping anyone else from using as much as they wish. There is nothing keeping Top Tier subscribers from using more than the Top Tier minimum. Top Tier does not make a gasoline detergent, they only list minimum quantities of EPA approved detergents.
I rarely see a Top Tier sign at a Shell, Texaco, or Chevron but Top Tier lists those as subscribers. The whole point of Top Tier is to tithe the minor brands providing a sign to convince consumers the product is as good as Shell et al, while Shell doesn't really want to be associated with those lesser brands. Many here buy that hook line and sinker.
Top Tier goes to automakers stating, "Would you give us a free recommendation in your owner's manuals for our branding which offers you extra detergents to band-aid the gasoline so you don't have to fix the designs of your engines?" Well, heck yes!
Top Tier does not specify anything different about "premium" vs any other AKI. Traditionally Shell and Texaco/Chevron (that I know) put extra detergents in premium but I don't believe they do anything because Top Tier told them to.
Top Tier's specifications for the base gasoline is exactly the same as the EPA's but for requirement of minimum 7% fuel grade ethanol. EPA goes about it differently with a quota and credits system whereby one must sell 1 unit of fuel grade ethanol as a motor fuel for a permit to sell 9 units of gasoline. This allows sale of E0 by offsetting with sales of E85. High price for E0 is used to subsidize price of E85.
You have a lot of faith with the assumption that non top tier gas has equal or higher additive levels than top tier. Top tier isn't a gimmick of numbers here, there are actual tests performed on actual engines with carbon reduction tracked, by weight, that they must pass in order to gain that certification. So what, one non top tier gas station offers equal fuel? There are 20 others behind it that are selling flammable garbage. Additives cost money and when it comes to any bean counter in any corporation's offices, they arent going to throw extra additives in there just out of charity.
You're also assuming the engines are at fault for carbon buildup, when some engines are more prone to building it up in certain areas ( some more detrimental than others). In realty we are lighting imperfect hydrocarbons on fire and expecting a perfect combustion every time with zero residue left behind... You want to see a clean engine? Tear down an engine converted to LP, i think my point should be made clear then. Seriously, you need to see the difference that makes.
The EPA only cares about emissions. They don't care about engine deposits
unless they lead to increased emissions. So its an apples to oranges comparison to even bring them into a topic about top tier gas.
Since this thread derailed in such a fantastic fashion, i should bring it back around. OP asked a simple question. I gave a very simplified answer without all the details that he probably doesnt care about anyway. Run 93 octane from a top tier station. I can't fathom how people running 87 octane in an engine that produces greater than 100hp per liter can sleep at night.
"(They) were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should".