Gasoline 87? 91?

[Motegi]

In all of our cars we use Costco gasoline. We've been doing this for years. Two-three times each year we add a bottle of Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner (which we also buy in bulk at Costco).

As far as octane choice, if the manufacturer calls for "Premium Unleaded Only" such as our Acuras and Audi then we use the 93. For the Genesis 3.8 we use regular unleaded.

Costco Kirkland gasoline is "Top Tier" certified for those who did not know.

 

[powerslide]

I washed my 3.8 today and noticed quite a bit of black deposits on the chrome tips on the exhaust. Is this normal for this engine? Any idea if it is more prominent with regular or premium (I've used both) or if the drive mode could play into this?

 

[Mark_888]

In all of our cars we use Costco gasoline. We've been doing this for years. Two-three times each year we add a bottle of Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner (which we also buy in bulk at Costco).

As far as octane choice, if the manufacturer calls for "Premium Unleaded Only" such as our Acuras and Audi then we use the 93. For the Genesis 3.8 we use regular unleaded.

Costco Kirkland gasoline is "Top Tier" certified for those who did not know.

Costco has stepped up to the plate and now meets Top Tier standards at all stations effective March 2014. Here is some information from the Costco website:

Since 1995, all gasoline sold in the U.S. must include an EPA-approved deposit control additive. Commonly called detergents, all Costco gas has always contained these additives. Costco gas stations are well maintained and our fuel has always been 100% guaranteed.

Increasing Federal emissions and mileage requirements have led to improved and more complicated engine designs. These improvements make many engines more sensitive to carbon deposits on intake valves and clogged fuel injectors. In the worst cases, dirty engines can sometimes trigger a "check engine" dashboard warning light. Many of the latest model vehicles perform better using fuel that contains more than the minimum EPA detergent requirement. In fact, several automobile manufacturers recommend the use of TOP TIER™ gasoline to maintain optimal performance.

As our valued member, you expect Costco to always offer the finest quality products at the best possible price. Gasoline is no exception. Costco has closely studied fuel additives and engine deposits, and conducted extensive engine tests at nationally-recognized laboratories. As a result, we decided to increase the detergent additives in our fuel to provide a better value to our members. As of March 2014 Costco is listed as a TOP TIER™ gasoline retailer. Find out more at www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html.

Kirkland Signature™ Gasoline contains five times the EPA detergent requirement in both regular unleaded and premium grades. Kirkland Signature™ Gasoline helps remove any existing deposits and keeps your engine clean.
http://www.costco.com/kirkland-signature-gasoline.html​

It is getting harder and harder to find gas that is not Top Tier these days, but the point is that current US Government EPA standards for deposit control additives in gas are woefully inadequate and the automakers (not oil companies) created their own standards, and the marketplace has spoken.

 

[Mark_888]

I washed my 3.8 today and noticed quite a bit of black deposits on the chrome tips on the exhaust. Is this normal for this engine? Any idea if it is more prominent with regular or premium (I've used both) or if the drive mode could play into this?

Yes, it is normal, especially for the GDI engines that Hyundai included in the Genesis starting in 2012 model year. If you plan on keeping your car more than a few years, make sure:

• Use a Top Tier Gas (www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html)
• Use Synthetic motor oil
• At least once a year use a fuel injector cleaner additive for your gas, such as Chevron Fuel Injector Cleaner (the Hyundai branded cleaner is made by Chevron, but costs more usually).
• Clean and wax you tailpipe on a regular basis. Waxing it makes it easier to clean.

 

[powerslide]

Thanks, Mark. I do plan on running it as long as she stays reliable. I said goodbye to my Avalon after 8 years and 180,000. I've always run synthetic and still do my own oil changes. I don't think I've ever used a fuel injector cleaner so I'll have to add that to the routine.

 

[darthspader]

^Sooo if you use top tier gas why do you need to add an injector cleaner once a year. If there is so much cleaner in this top tier gas your injectors should always be clean. And btw synethic oil does not mean better oil. there are synethic oil just like regular oil that my not meet your cars standard. You must ensure that the motor oil going in you car meets todays standards and that is SN grade motor oil.

 

[powerslide]

I've always used Mobil1 full synthetic and run my change intervals between 5 and 10k. Never had a problem. I believe just as important as running a good oil is letting the car properly warm up before working it hard.

 

[darthspader]

i use regular oil whatever autozone has a deal on and change my oil every 3500miles. i love taking a look under my car at this time. i also clean the engin bay and under carrage. both of those get dirty fast.

 

[Midnightsun]

^Sooo if you use top tier gas why do you need to add an injector cleaner once a year. If there is so much cleaner in this top tier gas your injectors should always be clean. And btw synethic oil does not mean better oil. there are synethic oil just like regular oil that my not meet your cars standard. You must ensure that the motor oil going in you car meets todays standards and that is SN grade motor oil.

I also got a giggle out of that, guess the more the merrier is sometimes the thought. As for oil, no need whatsoever to go synthetic unless you tend to overshoot the regular severe maintenance schedule. If you want to go 7000 miles between changes then go syn, if not, dino oil will suit just fine. In fact the recommended oil is not syn in the Genesis.

I wish there was an oil quality remainder gauge like in many of the other cars today. This works quite well and more often than not you can go several thousand miles above the recommended change interval with no problems or warranty issues. My F-150 was due for a change about 500 miles ago however the oil change gauge says there is 42% remaining oil life before a change is required.

This obviously is not good for business as the car will be less often in the shop for regular maintenance, wonder if Hyundai has not included this gauge for obvious reasons.

 

[Mark_888]

i use regular oil whatever autozone has a deal on and change my oil every 3500miles. i love taking a look under my car at this time. i also clean the engin bay and under carrage. both of those get dirty fast.

For anyone using a GDI engine, I would highly recommend synthetic oil. GDI engines typically have fuel dilution (gas in the oil) and using synthetic helps to deal with problem a lot better than conventional oil.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Mark_888]

^Sooo if you use top tier gas why do you need to add an injector cleaner once a year. If there is so much cleaner in this top tier gas your injectors should always be clean. And btw synethic oil does not mean better oil. there are synethic oil just like regular oil that my not meet your cars standard. You must ensure that the motor oil going in you car meets todays standards and that is SN grade motor oil.

I can't say it is absolutely needed, but the cost is quite low (especially if purchased at Costco). Probably the cheapest insurance you can buy.

 

[acecert]

If you go to the TopTier website, they will indicate which gas is certified as TopTier. Costco website lists individual locations, since they get gas from local independents, and not 100% of them are TopTier certified, but most are.

AM/PM is owned by BP, and is TopTier, although their gas has a tendency to spill.

Where did you see which Costco's are and are not TopTier certified? I went to Costco's site and found under the FAQ section that says Costco gas is certified as Top Tier but didn't indicate which individual locations are or are not TopTier certified as you noted? Thanks!

 

[Mark_888]

Where did you see which Costco's are and are not TopTier certified? I went to Costco's site and found under the FAQ section that says Costco gas is certified as Top Tier but didn't indicate which individual locations are or are not TopTier certified as you noted? Thanks!

That was based on my visit to Costco website prior to March 2014 when all Costco stations became Top-Tier Certified. Prior to that, Costco listed the stations individually that were certified (which appeared to be most all of them). They said that not all were Top Tier certified because in some locations they were dependent on local independent refiners that did not offer the Top Tier additives. Maybe they had to wait until some of their contracts ran out before switching to Top Tier in some locations, not sure.

Even though all Costco gas is now Top Tier certified, it is probably not identical in all areas. For example, in some areas the additives may be similar to Shell, and other area similar to Chevron, depending on which refiners are local to a particular Costco store.

 

[Recdol]

91 octane only, sometimes I filled up the 100octance(race fuel) lol

 

[dreamerak]

Chevron, Shell, etcetera stations all get their fuel from the same regional tank farm, the additive packages are added when the trucks are loaded for delivery.

 

[darthspader]

Sorry but imo i feel like top tier gas is a marketing tool use by oil companies to see how many people will pay more for already overpriced gas. So since people continue to pay higher prices the prices continue to rise. Trust me if the overall demand in gas went down so would the price. Top teir gas allows oil companies a cushion to feel out consumer attitude for raising prices. If you cant see that they are doing there job well.

just one mans opinion.

 

[Mark_888]

Sorry but imo i feel like top tier gas is a marketing tool use by oil companies to see how many people will pay more for already overpriced gas. So since people continue to pay higher prices the prices continue to rise. Trust me if the overall demand in gas went down so would the price. Top teir gas allows oil companies a cushion to feel out consumer attitude for raising prices. If you cant see that they are doing there job well.

just one mans opinion.

I suggest that you read every post in this thread carefully, and go the top tier website and read about it. Top Tier Gas program was started and advanced by the auto manufacturers, not the oil companies. Some oil companies resisted it strongly, including BP (until very recently).

 

[Motegi]

I suggest that you read every post in this thread carefully, and go the top tier website and read about it. Top Tier Gas program was started and advanced by the auto manufacturers, not the oil companies. Some oil companies resisted it strongly, including BP (until very recently).

Exactly.

Costco + Top Tier = quality cheap gas.

Seriously, Costco is often 10 cents per gallon or more cheaper around my area than other gas stations.

When you factor that into the savings that you get from Costco's Auto insurance program and even their car buying program it more than pays for the annual membership costs!

 

[scottdk]

Top Tier fuel is the same price as standard fuel at least in MN....

 

[Mark_888]

Top Tier fuel is the same price as standard fuel at least in MN....

There are not many stations these days that don't sell Top Tier fuel these days. The retailers known to be on the TOP TIER list are shown below, but it may not be all of them (for various reasons):

• 76 Stations
• Aloha Petroleum
• ARCO
• BP
• Chevron
• Conoco
• Costco Wholesale
• CountryMark
• Entec Stations
• Express Convenience Centers
• Exxon
• Hawaii Fueling Network (HFN)
• Holiday Stationstores
• Kwik Trip / Kwik Star
• MFA Oil Co.
• Mobil
• Ohana Fuels
• Phillips 66
• Quik Trip
• Road Ranger
• Scheirl Oil
• Shell
• SuperAmerica
• Texaco
• Tri-Par Oil Co.

Just because most gas is now Top Tier, does not mean it was always so. At one time, many gas stations only met the pitiful EPA standards for detergent additives, but auto-industry and consumer pressure has forced most gas retailers to met the Top Tier standards.