Fuel Additive Effectiveness

[CowboyTaco]

I'm about as knowledgeable in this area as a teenager with a learners permit.

That said, I know that everyone has varying opinions ranging from "pure snake oil and a waste of money" to "scientifically proven to increase horsepower and gas mileage."

I did a Google search and it seems like the consistent top choices are BG 44k, Techron, Redline and Royal Purple. Of course, those could be biased based on sponsorships, etc.. LiquiMoly also got high ratings, but was not necessarily chosen as a "top choice," as were several others.

So with that being said, what are your thoughts on fuel additives whether your intended purpose is to improve gas mileage, clean injectors, clean the combustion chamber, or whatever?

 

[Oswego]

Ive always heard that their are enough additives in good gas that you do not need anything else. Now if you are buying budget cheap gas - that's a different story.

From what Ive heard around here (drive by a refinery every day) - each chain of gas stations has their own "blend" they get from the refineries so if I cared about it - I'd get gas from a good brand and never worry about any additional additives.

That said - I have never added anything to any gas for any of my cars and Ive only spun a bearing in one out of the four cars Ive owned in my lifetime. 25% has to be great right?

Oh and I have never bought from one brand. When I need gas - I get it so long as it's a chain's name I recognize.

 

[CowboyTaco]

I've heard that too. That the additive package used in name brand gasoline is much cleaner burning than the government subsidized additive packages used in off-brand/value gas.

Back when we lived in TX, the price of Exxon was about the same as you would find at the QT or anywhere else for that matter. In Georgia, there is a big discrepancy. I can get Exxon/BP/Texaco/etc. for anywhere from $.05-.35 more expensive depending on the week. I have a hard time paying up to 35 cents more per gallon for name brand.

 

[Oswego]

I get it. Luckily I do not pay for gas and have not for 15 of the past 20 years so it is never a concern I need to ponder over.

That said - I still bought a little 4 cyl commuter car for work cause city parking sucks

 

[Taco Loco]

IMO Chevron and Exxon have the best fuels with additives, not the cheapest.

I use seafoam in gas when I preform oil changes, gas stations do not service those inline filters on the pumps like they should, I never get gas if I see a fuel truck at the station.

I use seafoam in motors every 50k miles, usually in the crankcase, no more than 300miles.

 

[Oswego]

IMO Chevron and Exxon have the best fuels with additives, not the cheapest.

I use seafoam in gas when I preform oil changes, gas stations do not service those inline filters on the pumps like they should, I never get gas if I see a fuel truck at the station.

I use seafoam in motors every 50k miles, usually in the crankcase, no more than 300miles.

That is HUGE + never fill up in the heat of the afternoon.

Around here we have flooding issues near the river and ocean so I also never fill up anywhere that has a low water table. We have gas stations that flood over the fill valves and you need to avoid them like the plague

 

[CowboyTaco]

Well, just to keep this on topic, I'm thinking of trying the Royal Purple or Liqui Moly

https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Purple-11722-6PK-Synthetic-Cleaner/dp/B00B1VBQRS/?tag=car-bibles-20

https://www.amazon.com/Liqui-Moly-2007-Gasoline-Injection/dp/B00CPL8PSG/?tag=car-bibles-20

I will agree that Chevron and Exxon have some of the highest quality additives in their fuel.

 

[AlienXtx]

Well, just to keep this on topic, I'm thinking of trying the Royal Purple or Liqui Moly

https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Purple-11722-6PK-Synthetic-Cleaner/dp/B00B1VBQRS/?tag=car-bibles-20

https://www.amazon.com/Liqui-Moly-2007-Gasoline-Injection/dp/B00CPL8PSG/?tag=car-bibles-20

I will agree that Chevron and Exxon have some of the highest quality additives in their fuel.

I've used the Royal Purple stuff in the past for injector clean up and It seemed to do the trick.

 

[Silverback]

I've used the Chevron Techron in the past to clean up a rough running engine and it worked wonders in just a few miles.

 

[tex]

I have run the RP stuff a few times. I noticed a very slight increase in MPG for the 1 tank with the additive in it. After that it was back to normal.

 

[CowboyTaco]

I decided to give the Liqui Moly a shot. Ordered online with 20% off at AAP. Will pick it up this afternoon. Results to follow.

 

[Taco Loco]

I decided to give the Liqui Moly a shot. Ordered online with 20% off at AAP. Will pick it up this afternoon. Results to follow.

If you clear your cookies/cache you can get 25% off coupons from AAP, all day long.

 

[Taco Loco]

I decided to give the Liqui Moly a shot. Ordered online with 20% off at AAP. Will pick it up this afternoon. Results to follow.

did you buy the fuel injector cleaner or fuel system cleaner?

 

[CowboyTaco]

did you buy the fuel injector cleaner or fuel system cleaner?

I got the injector cleaner. Several of the online reviews say that it is incredibly effective at cleaning the whole system including the upper cylinder / combustion chamber. We'll see.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...-300-ml-2007/12015785-P?searchTerm=liqui+moly

I filled up tonight, but didn't add the Liqui Moly. I've had a new serpentine belt waiting to be installed for far too long now. Skid plate was already off, so figured I'd give it a go and check that one off my list. I know the general though on TardWorld is that no one over there is competent, but I've read some folks suggesting that they got a few MPG back after changing the belt (IIRC, up to 2mpg). I doubt that will be the case, but figured I don't want any other variables to influence my test. So now I need to re-establish the baseline.

 

[Taco Loco]

I got the injector cleaner. Several of the online reviews say that it is incredibly effective at cleaning the whole system including the upper cylinder / combustion chamber. We'll see.

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

I filled up tonight, but didn't add the Liqui Moly. I've had a new serpentine belt waiting to be installed for far too long now. Skid plate was already off, so figured I'd give it a go and check that one off my list. I know the general though on TardWorld is that no one over there is competent, but I've read some folks suggesting that they got a few MPG back after changing the belt (IIRC, up to 2mpg). I doubt that will be the case, but figured I don't want any other variables to influence my test. So now I need to re-establish the baseline.

Personally I would not use that, but to each it's own.

https://www.garagetooladvisor.com/auto/best-fuel-injector-cleaner/

 

[Silverback]

I also read on the interwebs that Bigfoot runs a Shell station in Alberta and likes vanilla lattes. Elvis has a Chevron across the street and he hates him.

 

[AlienXtx]

Someone must have a seafoam sponsorship

 

[CowboyTaco]

Personally I would not use that, but to each it's own.

https://www.garagetooladvisor.com/auto/best-fuel-injector-cleaner/




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Thanks for the link. Per that article "Liqui Moly fuel injector cleaner is great for high mileage vehicles which have developed a good amount of deposit build-up in their fuel system. The Jectron in Liqui Moly is the secret to keeping fuel injectors and intake valves clean.

For best results, empty the bottle into your gas tank when it’s about 1/4 to 1/2 full. One application should fix most issues with rough idle, slow throttle response, or hesitation. ....

....it’s definitely worth a shot if you miss the smooth idling or immediate throttle response from when you first got your car or truck."

I should also mention that Techron was BOGO so I picked up 2 of those on the same 20% off deal. I won't use it for a while, but figured it wouldn't hurt to have it. If the liqui moly stuff doesn't do miracles, I'll follow it up a few weeks later.

I may consider the SeaFoam in the crank case when it gets closer to my next oil change, but we'll see how the other stuff does first. I'm not really concerned about it though because I drank the KoolAid that ExxonMobil was handing out with each purchase of Mobil1 Full Syn. Oh, and speaking of oil, the screenshot you posted said that it is specifically recommended for people who use 5w-20 oil....guess what I use!

 

[Taco Loco]

Thanks for the link. Per that article "Liqui Moly fuel injector cleaner is great for high mileage vehicles which have developed a good amount of deposit build-up in their fuel system. The Jectron in Liqui Moly is the secret to keeping fuel injectors and intake valves clean.

For best results, empty the bottle into your gas tank when it’s about 1/4 to 1/2 full. One application should fix most issues with rough idle, slow throttle response, or hesitation. ....

....it’s definitely worth a shot if you miss the smooth idling or immediate throttle response from when you first got your car or truck."

I should also mention that Techron was BOGO so I picked up 2 of those on the same 20% off deal. I won't use it for a while, but figured it wouldn't hurt to have it. If the liqui moly stuff doesn't do miracles, I'll follow it up a few weeks later.

I may consider the SeaFoam in the crank case when it gets closer to my next oil change, but we'll see how the other stuff does first. I'm not really concerned about it though because I drank the KoolAid that ExxonMobil was handing out with each purchase of Mobil1 Full Syn. Oh, and speaking of oil, the screenshot you posted said that it is specifically recommended for people who use 5w-20 oil....guess what I use!

you have the 4.0l motor?

 

[CowboyTaco]

you have the 4.0l motor?

yes