Q. During a fill-up recently at a Chevron station, I noticed the pump had
a sign advertising Chevron as a “Top Tier” gasoline provider. What does that mean?
A. Four vehicle manufacturers — BMW, GM, Honda and Toyota — jointly
developed gasoline additive standards called “Top Tier” that are stricter than the current
EPA regulation. Gasoline vendors that meet the Top Tier standard may advertise this. Top
Tier requires more and better additives in all grades of fuel to reduce fuel-related
deposits in engines. Retailers selling Top Tier gasoline include Chevron, Conoco, Entac,
MFA, Phillips, Shell, Quik Trip and Union 76.
