best fuel additive to use?

[TNfarmerTRD]

wonder what engine cleaner fuel additive ppl used or liked the most? most ppl here use lucas but i wanted to know what ppl have tried and noticed it to actually work! lol

[Buddywh1]

Originally Posted by TNfarmerTRD

wonder what engine cleaner fuel additive ppl used or liked the most? most ppl here use lucas but i wanted to know what ppl have tried and noticed it to actually work! lol

Techron...sold conveniently in Walmarts everywhere. A bottle in the last full tank of gas before every oil change and I've never had problems on any fuel injected vehicle I've owned or helped with. It's also highly effective at cleaning valve deposits.

[WetOne]

+1 on Lucas, cheaper by the gallon, use it in everything 2 and 4 stroke and my yamaha outboard. Easier starting 2 strokes that run occasionally and it does maintain the best mileage and performance in my truck.

[notsofunny]

Originally Posted by TNfarmerTRD

wonder what engine cleaner fuel additive ppl used or liked the most? most ppl here use lucas but i wanted to know what ppl have tried and noticed it to actually work! lol

Not sure what your goal is, but I suspect it is what all of ours are: nothing but routine preventive maintenance for the first 500,000 miles . Here are a few thoughts.

The first and best fuel additive is the fuel itself. Go with a Top Tier Detergent Gasoline. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Tie...rgent_Gasoline. Top Tier exceeds the EPA minimum for detergent and the EPA acknowledges the EPA minimum is not enough. My favorites are Chevron and Shell. You'll spend about 1-5 cents more per gallon (20-1.00 per tank full) with Top Tier vs a bottle of Techron for a 20 gallon tank is about $10-12. Some of the detergents in the fuel make their way into the oil too as part of the combustion cycle which is okay in my book.

After that are tuneups with Toyota recommended spark plugs (Denso or NGK), air filters, clean MAFS and oil changes...all before any elixirs.

If you are so inclined to use fuel and crankcase additives, Google the name of the product and "MSDS". The MSDS will give you an idea of what you are putting in your truck. All too often it's distillates that you'll recognize and can buy cheaper at your local paint or chemical store...but then you've got to ask you self, why are you adding the extras?

Cheers for the New Year!

[humanoid]

We have a fuel economy sub-forum here on TN, it's been discussed ad nauseam there.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/fo...play.php?f=185

[worthywads]

I've never used any fuel additives in 32 years and see no reason to.

[dl1027]

Originally Posted by Buddywh1

Techron...sold conveniently in Walmarts everywhere. A bottle in the last full tank of gas before every oil change and I've never had problems on any fuel injected vehicle I've owned or helped with. It's also highly effective at cleaning valve deposits.

Techron is already in Chevron gas. No need to pay for more. I'm sure others have their detergents too. So my guess is the most cost effective gas additive is not buying it in the first place. I got enough bills as it is.

[Buddywh1]

Originally Posted by dl1027

Techron is already in Chevron gas. No need to pay for more...

Used to be Techroline?...additives are now heavily regulated by EPA to ensure emissions aren't compromised in routine use so it's present in small quantities now. Maybe efficacious if you use it exclusively but I got bills to pay so I stay away from name brand gas unless there's a gas war going on. A bottle of Techron every 10000 miles at oil change time is a lot cheaper than paying the dime a gallon difference for Chevron gas.

And it does work well...it cleaned up a growing injector problem with my Maxima shortly after I got it with about 30K miles; now with 108k and regular use it hasn't come back. Techron is the only 'additive' type product of any sort I use or recommend...that because it does work and it comes very well recommended, by several major car manufacturers including BMW.

[SlickT]

Seafoam. It'll make your engine light go off every time! I love the stuff, I think it just cleans the sensors and that's why the engine light goes off. But that's proof enough it is cleaning. Marvel Mystery Oil as well, cause hey, its a mystery and sounds good.

[Billzebub]

Seafoam.

[Dark Taco]

I just purchase Top Tier fuel and leave it at that.

[notsofunny]

Per the company's MSDS sheet: Seafoam = Pale Oil + Naptha + IPA

Per Dow Chemical: IPA is a colorless, flammable liquid with a characteristic alcohol / acetone-like odor.3 It mixes completely with most solvents, including water. One well-known yet relatively small use for IPA is “rubbing alcohol,” which is a mixture of IPA and water and can be purchased in many pharmacies and grocery stores. http://www.dow.com/productsafety/finder/iso.htm

[Billzebub]

Originally Posted by notsofunny

Per the company's MSDS sheet: Seafoam = Pale Oil + Naptha + IPA

Per Dow Chemical: IPA is a colorless, flammable liquid with a characteristic alcohol / acetone-like odor.3 It mixes completely with most solvents, including water. One well-known yet relatively small use for IPA is “rubbing alcohol,” which is a mixture of IPA and water and can be purchased in many pharmacies and grocery stores. http://www.dow.com/productsafety/finder/iso.htm

Seafoam is not just rubbing alcohol and camp fuel.

[worthywads]

Originally Posted by Billzebub

Seafoam is not just rubbing alcohol and camp fuel.

Your right, it's rubbing alcohol (minus the water) and camp fuel mixed in oil.

Pale oil = 40-60%
Naphtha = 25-35%
Isopropyl alcohol = 10-20%

[Dante's Taco]

So, why would I add that to my vehicle?


Can't find that recommended in the owners manual

did a smoke show once for fun sucking it thru the brake booster. Was that smoke anything "bad" from my engine "burning off" - why yes, the "Seafoam" my son.

LOL

oh yeah, pissed the neighbours off something fierce.

D