(Via: awm.com) If you’re always on the hunt for the cheapest gas station in your area, you might need to rethink your strategy – if you want a car that lasts a long time. 

Although they cost more, gases with engine-cleaning additives really do make a difference in your ride. According to an independent study conducted by AAA, gas quality differs greatly around the country. 

And if you’re not shopping at a place on this list, you’re not doing your vehicle a service. Instead you could be driving it into its grave. Visit these gas stations more often and you can protect your car’s engine for the long haul…

The Environmental Protect Agency has enforced a minimum level of detergent for all gas sold since 1996. But the gas brands on this list have added extra engine-cleaning additives that make your car run better for longer.

The AAA study found that cheap gasoline produced 19 times more… 

engine deposits than the gas brands on this list – over 4,000 miles of simulated driving conditions. If you’re a car enthusiast or just want your vehicle to last, start thinking about upgrading your gasoline today.

While engine deposits might not seem like a problem in the short term, these carbon deposits reduce fuel economy (you get less miles per gallon), reduce performance (you get less power from the gas). And what is most shocking is that the difference is seen most clearly on new vehicles.

Bottom line, if you have a new vehicle start using these gas brands to help make your car last longer.

“AAA was surprised to learn the extent to which detergent additives impact gasoline quality,” said AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair, John Neilson.

AAA now recommends that drivers purchase their gas exclusively from the following gas brands because they add extra engine cleaning additives to their fuel, including regular, plus and premium.

Because most people buy gas when its cheap, you might have to bite the bullet for the sake of your car.

“Americans are six times more likely to choose a gas station based on the price of gasoline rather than the quality of the fuel,” Neilson said. 

“Since TOP TIER gasoline is widely available and only an average of three cents more per gallon, AAA urges drivers to reconsider their priorities when selecting a gas station.”

Top Tier says that about 33 percent of gas station meet their quality standard.

Here is the list of Top Tier gas stations that are good for your vehicle:

76, Aloha, ARCO, Beacon, BP/Amoco Ultimate, 

BP Regular, BP Silver, Break Time, Cenex, Chevron, 

CITGO, Conoco, Co-op, Costco Gasoline, CountryMark, 

CountryMark Plus, Diamond Shamrock, Esso, 

Express, Exxon, Hele, Holiday, Kwik Star, Kwik Trip, 

Kwik Trip Express, Mahalo, Marathon, Metro 

Petro, MFA, Mobil, OAAI, Ohana Fuels, Petro-Canad, 

Phillips 66, PUMA Energy Caribe, QT, QuikTrip, 

Road Ranger, Shamrock, Shell, Sinclair, Standard, 

Sunoco Ultratech, SuperAmerica, SuperFuel, Tempo, 

Texaco, Tri-Par Qwik Stop, Valero.

Are you ready to upgrade your gas? Or do you already buy at a place that sells better-for-your-car gasoline?

Below we bring you a clip that talks about the best brands for gas in terms of their content and consumer satisfaction. Please watch the video, leave your comments below and share this article with your friends to help them always find the best gas for their vehicles !