Chances are, you’ve wondered if the gas retailer matters when filling up at the station. The truth is that some retailers sell high-quality gas, like the Top Tier gasoline. Such gasoline is costly at the pump but will benefit your vehicle in the long run.
However, not all gas stations sell Top Tier gas. If you’ve ever fueled at one of Circle K’s stations, you’d probably want to know if their gas is Top Tier. So, is Circle K gas Top Tier? And more importantly, is their gasoline good for your car?
I delve deeper into Circle K gas to determine if it suits your needs.
Question: What is Circle K?
Circle K is a renowned global chain of convenience stores and gas stations. It offers a wide variety of products, including gasoline, to people on the go.
Alimentation Couche-Tard acquired Circle K in 2003, making it a global brand by 2015. Circle K operates in over 24 countries worldwide, with over 9,799 convenience stores in North America. The brand has other stores in Europe, China, New Zealand, and UAE.
Circle K is famous for its high-quality products and top-notch customer service. One of their most sought-after products is the high-grade gasoline. The brand guarantees gas that cleans your engine and extends your car’s life.
But does Circle K sell Top Tier gas? Before we answer this question, let’s see what Top Tier gas is and if it’s worth the hype.
Question: What’s Top Tier Gasoline?
For gasoline to be regarded as Top Tier, it must contain more than the recommended detergent additives compared to regular gas. According to the EPA, all gasoline must have the minimum amount of detergent additives.
However, Top Tier gasoline will have more detergent additives than typical gas. Automobile makers set standards that a Top Tier gas must meet to receive the TOP TIER certification. With Top Tier gas, your car can benefit from the following:
- Fewer engine deposits
- Emission systems protection
- Peak engine performance
- Increased fuel economy
- Increased engine longevity
So, is Top Tier gas worth the hype? Yes. Despite its higher cost, this gasoline will provide the above benefits compared to regular gas. A lab test result shows that Top Tier gas leaves fewer carbon deposits in the engine and fuel system.
After around 4,000 miles of driving, non-Top Tier gas leaves 19 times more deposits than Top Tier gas. Additionally, long-term use of non-Top Tier gas can cause a 2-4% reduction in fuel economy compared to Top Tier gas.
The Top Tier hype is not just hype. The gas will offer more benefits to ensure a smooth driving experience. You can fuel at Top Tier gas stations like Shell, Exxon, Sinclair, Phillips, Kwik Star, Metro, and Shamrock.
Question: Is Circle K Gas Top Tier?
Circle K gas is not Top Tier. The brand formed a franchise with major Top Tier gas retailers like Phillips 66, Shell, and Exxon. It sold Top Tier gas at their locations, specifically in Missouri and Illinois. However, Circle K parted ways with most of its co-franchised Top Tier gas retailers.
In 2019, TOP TIERᵀᴹ officially removed Circle K from the certified Top Tier gas retailers list. As of today, Circle K is no longer a Top Tier brand.
Question: What Gas Type Does Circle K Provide?
You now know that Circle K gas is not Top Tier. So, what type of gas does the brand sell? According to the information on its website, Circle K offers high-grade gas with cleaning detergents from reputable refineries and terminals.
However, the brand doesn’t mention the refineries or terminals where it gets its fuel. Circle K’s deals with regular gas that ensures better engine maintenance and fewer emissions. Its Premium+ gas is high-quality, and guarantees improved performance.

Question: Is Circle K Gas Good?
Although Circle K gas is not Top Tier, it suits your engine and fuel system. It adheres to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gasoline standards. Thus, you can rest assured of a clean gasoline that reduces smog and toxic emissions.
Additionally, Circle K gas will clean the engine and fuel lines to get rid of deposit buildup. The brand claims that its gasoline has 2x (double) the cleaning detergent additives than many other brands. With a clean engine, your car can perform better and last longer.
Question: Does Circle K Gas Contain Ethanol?
Yes. Circle K gas has 5% bioethanol as an additive. If you blend gas with bioethanol, you make gasoline eco-friendlier by reducing CO2 emissions. Bioethanol is safe for the planet as it comes from processed agricultural products like corn and wheat.
Besides making gasoline eco-friendly, ethanol increases the octane rating of gasoline. Therefore, Circle K gas supports a more aggressive ignition timing and higher compression ratio.
Although the brand sells ethanol-blended gas in America, some parts of Europe sell ethanol-free Circle K gas. Circle K supplies its gas stations with ethanol-free gas branded as 95 miles, 95 milesPlus, and 98 milesPlus.
Question: Is Circle K Gas Expensive?
Circle K gas is one of the most affordable gasoline on the market. However, prices can go up and down depending on the market. So, if you want to save a few bucks while fueling with high-quality gas, drive to one of their stations.
It’s worth noting that Circle K has varying gas prices for different regions. Use your gas price app to check the fuel prices at various Circle K locations.
If you want to save more at their gas stations, sign up for their gas discount program. Still, most of their stations will accept Shell-specific discounts. Circle K also offers gas reward programs like rewards from credit cards and fuel points.
You can save more gasoline by using a more efficient route when driving to a Circle K gas station. A navigation tool will help you choose the fastest routes with fewer traffic challenges.
Final Thoughts
We’ve answered some of the most common questions about Circle K gas, including “Is Circle K gas Top Tier?” Circle K no longer sells Top Tier Gasoline. It used to supply Top Tier gas through a franchise agreement with various Top Tier gas brands. However, in 2019, Circle K stopped supplying Top Tier gas.
But being a non-Top Tier gas retailer doesn’t make Circle K gas low quality. The brand’s gasoline uses EPA-recommended detergent additives to ensure proper cleaning of engines and fuel systems. It’s also high-quality, meaning you’ll enjoy better engine performance and low emissions.