Fuel Additives...your experience?

[First Stang]

Thanks for the top tier link Hoofer. Even gas companies are one upping each other with regards to the number of additives. I like Costco by default since its always fresh and the cheapest. The Sea foam additive even suggests a direct pour into the crankcase. I don’t know about that option.

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[Hoofer]

Thanks for the top tier link Hoofer. Even gas companies are one upping each other with regards to the number of additives. I like Costco by default since its always fresh and the cheapest. The Sea foam additive even suggests a direct pour into the crankcase. I don’t know about that option.

No I didn't say put Seafoam/Techron/MaxClean in your crankcase.
We're talking about fuel additives.
I said add a can at each oil change, which is 3,000-7,500 miles for most owners.

I also added this note:
EDIT: For clarity, put fuel additives (SeaFoam/Techron/MaxClean) in your FUEL TANK, not in your crankcase!

 

[Skye]

If starting from new, I believe any Top Tier gasoline, consistently used, would be just fine, without additives.

I prefer Shell Nitro in the highest octane available; it's a brand preference. I've used Shell since the SU2000 days. But there are other quality gasolines available, as others have pointed out.

I have used and would use one additive I have confirmed the results for: Techron. But I would only use this additive once, in one instance: when purchasing a used car. I believe Techron performs best when added to a full tank of fuel and going on a highway trip, with mileage that drains the tank. Afterwards, I'd continue reviews and probable replacements, like oil, coolant, plugs, filters, etc. At the end, I'd have a baseline, something I know, that can be used for the rest of the car's service life.

I do use Stabil, when my Mustang is stored for the Winter. Needed? Probably not. But it costs a few bucks and is cheap insurance.

 

[Tucker80]

Are you sure about that? I can most definitely tell you that Kroger does not sell Top Tier fuel in my area. If your area is different then I think that's fantastic.

Kroger is definitely not top tier. I used to run it my Mustang before switching to Costco and have seen a slight MPG improvement and definitely feels better.

 

[Bikeman315]

Interesting connection between Kroger & Shell.

https://www.aisleofshame.com/is-kroger-gas-top-tier/

 

[sk47]

Hello; A rationale for using some additives comes about because of the recirculation systems most ICE engines use. Crankcase ventilation systems which collect fumes and gases from the engine and send them into the intake to be run thru the combustion process. This allows a buildup of oily deposits on the inside of the air intake plumbing.
This started with the early clean air emissions systems. Before that the crankcase gasses were vented to the air by what was called a road tube.
For a long time it was not as bad with carbs and port fuel injection systems because at some point fuel was sent into the intake manifold which washed some of this buildup away. Kept the intake valves cleaner. Exhaust valves could get a buildup.
Along came direct injection in which the fuel is pumped directly into the cylinders bypassing the air intake altogether. So no longer any washing of the intake manifolds by fuel. My take is direct injection engines will need some cleaning of the air intake passageways after some miles.

Back in the 1960's I did two things. One was to run a bit hard in a hard rain the other was to take the air cleaner off and dribble some water into the carb with the engine at fast idle. The idea was small amounts of water hitting the combustion chamber will expand as it turns to steam. That would loosen up some of the carbon deposits. (as in popcorn a water droplet expands around 1700 times volume when changed phase to steam.) Had to be careful to not add too much water. My guess is even today a drive in heavy rain does the same sort of thing in the combustion chamber, but it will not clean the intake manifolds.

Toyota/Subaru have a two part fuel injection system in the BRZ and FRS four cylinder. Has both port FI and direct injection.

My point being the greatest fuel in the world make no difference in a direct injection system because the fuel never enters the intake manifolds at all.

 

[ORRadtech]

Are you sure about that? I can most definitely tell you that Kroger does not sell Top Tier fuel in my area. If your area is different then I think that's fantastic.

Apparently not as sure as I thought I was. I will check the pump later this week though.
Still, I've never had a problem with their fuel and it's a very busy station so I know it's fresh.

 

[Hoofer]

Interesting connection between Kroger & Shell.

https://www.aisleofshame.com/is-kroger-gas-top-tier/

Article says BP is TopTier.
BP is not listed as a TopTier supplier on the Top Tier website:

https://www.toptiergas.com/licensed-brands/


Back in 2016, BP developed their own formulation called "Invigorate".

https://www.bp.com/en_us/united-sta...-the-benefits-of-bp-gasolines-with-invigorate

 

[MAGS1]

Article says BP is TopTier.
BP is not listed as a TopTier supplier on the Top Tier website:

https://www.toptiergas.com/licensed-brands/


Back in 2016, BP developed their own formulation called "Invigorate".

https://www.bp.com/en_us/united-sta...-the-benefits-of-bp-gasolines-with-invigorate

I use BP or Shell. We have a BP card that gives us $0.15/gal off each fill, not much but it’s something. From what I recall, BP went through the process to be considered Top Tier but ultimately did not want to pay the fees for the designation. So they came up with Invigorate.

 

[Hoofer]

I use BP or Shell. We have a BP card that gives us $0.15/gal off each fill, not much but it’s something. From what I recall, BP went through the process to be considered Top Tier but ultimately did not want to pay the fees for the designation. So they came up with Invigorate.

Best part is 'most' fuel retailers are doing what they can to provide clean, safe, efficient, effective, fuel for our vehicles.

They've made a lot of improvements over the past 20 years!.

 

[MAGS1]

Best part is 'most' fuel retailers are doing what they can to provide clean, safe, efficient, effective, fuel for our vehicles.

They've made a lot of improvements over the past 20 years!.

Exactly! There’s still a few I would avoid because of a sketchy past but yeah most are pretty good these days

 

[junits15]

I am bearing in mind that this is an enthusiast forum and people like to go the extra mile...

What "gunk" are you worried about specifically? Valve buildup is not an issue on Gen 3 motors with factory PI, and Gen 2 and older motors will not see any reduction in valve buildup from fuel.

Seafoam does seem to help with cylinder buildup but I've never heard a compelling explanation for why its needed, cars run for hundreds of thousands of miles on garbage 87 with zero issues caused by carbon buildup.

I feel that most additives are snake oil, like other members have said.

 

[Bulldog9]

Thinking of alternating Shell Vpower fill up with Costco Gas (due to extra additives beyond the Costco gas) to keep the gunk out. Anyone using any additives for maintenance? I can see that a good catch can help significantly but doesn't it void the warranty? Come to think of it, I think the ford manual specifically mentions that adding additives will void the warranty so Sea foam may be a problem down the road if I use it.

On a side note, I am doing a non scientific experiment with my 8 year old untreated RAM 1500. Over the last year I can never seem to get better MPG above 16 (mixed driving) so I'm dumping 2 canisters of the Sea foam product in the tank to see if anything happens. If the MPG goes up I will let you all know.

I've been using Seafoam for winter stabilization and pre-oil change fuel system cleaning for 40 years. Add to my carb'd vehicles routinely, and also dump a can in the last tank before an oil change. With so many top tier gasoline options, many with additives, I don't see a reason for this to be a regular additive as a routine normal fill, but the 6-10K treatment before an oil change is part of my regimen. I think other quality treatments could be used similarly.

Why treat pre-oil change? The extra cleaner will (in theory) dissolve any carbon buildup, some of which will find its way into the oil, making it dirty (or dirtier). Washing it out and then changing oil is the best way to clean and keep oil fresh.

On the whole, with the dual injection systems, highly managed fuel systems and huge oil capacities, modern quality fuels are more than sufficient. Not many people realize that the cleaners in high octane fuels are due to their resistance to combustion, and hence while resisting pre-ignition and burning, they also have a potential for less burn, and thus higher deposits. For normal round town or highway trips, I run 87 in my car, and generally run 93 when I plan to have fun..........

 

[Bulldog9]

Thanks for the top tier link Hoofer. Even gas companies are one upping each other with regards to the number of additives. I like Costco by default since its always fresh and the cheapest. The Sea foam additive even suggests a direct pour into the crankcase. I don’t know about that option.

Seafoam in the crankcase is used similarly to what we used to do with Marvel Mystery oil. Whenever I buy an OLD car with a motor that may have been abused or neglected, or had sticky lifters or sludge build up, I've used BOTH to clean up deposits and free sticky lifters. I had an 86 Gutless 442 with the 307. Car had roller lifters and a couple sticky lifters when I bought it. Tried a couple changes and still clickety clack on cold starts. Tried MMO, and it improved minimally. Then 1 QT of Seafoam, drove the car 200 miles, and changed. Oil came out black as coal, and sticky lifter solved for the next 5 years. Sold the car 3 years ago (total of 8) and the motor runs perfectly with no return of the stuck lifters.

Sea Foam is also a great 'fogging' fluid. Use it, don't use it. I do and am a happy customer for 3-4 decades.

 

[joe603]

Costco is toptier gas...you shouldn't need to do anything. Really, just change the oil at 5k intervals and the engine should be golden.

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