Techron or Fuel Additives?

Interesting question, I'd be interested in hearing some opinions on this as well...

 

I used to use Redline SI-1 which has a similar chemical to that found in Techron. That chemical is (PEA) polyether amines.
It acts as a surfactant instead of a solvent making it safe for all components in the fuel system. It attacks carbon and deposits like no other, and even survives the combustion process so it can clean O2 sensors, catalytic converters and EGR valves. If you are going to use anything, those that contain PEA are the best.

Redline SI-1
Techron
Gumout w/Regane
just to name a few of the big ones. I'm sure there are more.

Now Shell advertises a new nitrogen enriched formula, they are referring to the nitrogen atoms that make up amines.

I will continue to use these products as it has proven itself to be the best of the best. I've brought back a lawnmower, a snowblower, and some guys car from up the street with this stuff. Go ahead and use with confidence.

 

I used to use an independent Honda shop for my CRX and the service manager said that while they did not believe in the "mechanic-in-a-can" idea, they found the Techroline product to be helpful in keeping the components it targets clean. They told me this when I had them clean the throttle body after the idle became rough. I've been using one bottle each time I get the oil changed and never had the throttle body cleaned after that. No, this is not scientific proof that it works. I have several bottles left in the garage and haven't decided if I will use it proactively in my Prius.

On a related note, I did call the Chevron technical hotline with a related question and the gentleman told me that Techron Concentrate Plus is a better product than Pro Gard.

YMMV

 

So, are these products available at you local Advance Auto, Pep Boys, O'Reilly's, etc, or do you have to get them at some speciality auto shop?

 

Yes, even walmart carries some of them.

 

Awesome... Thanks!

 

I've got upwards of 50K on my prius now and I think I've used about 3 bottles of chevron techron so far. Everytime I use it, I feel the difference. maybe all in the mind.

 

I use Techron, SI-1 or Regane. They're safe for the fuel system as the only solvent that carries the PEA in it is either kerosene or stoddard solvent(paint thinner). I wouldn't use BG 44K/Berryman's in a Prius due to the potential risk of fuel bladder damage from the methanol, acetone and toluene in those products.

 

Why fuel additives? Oil compaines spend billions of dollars refining their products so they will be the best there is.

I remember when I was a kid back in the 60's there was all types and sizes of snake oil products availaible.

Personally, I do not use any of them and I have been driving since
1966, and never seen a need for them.

If there was a clear and concise scientific study I would take a peek at it, but I know of no scientific research where snake oil products do all they claim to do.

al

 

colgged or restricted injectors usually shows up at idle first... its a head thing beyond that... for example i purchased a used motorcycle and it had a rough idle,, techron fixed it in about 30 minutes.

 

Techron is old, but it's the real deal. Buy it anywhere that has it cheap. It's generally easy to find.

Redline SI-1 is also good, but harder to find. For many years BMW's dealer-sold, BMW-branded fuel injector cleaner (in the US) was Redline SI-1 with a different label (same bottle though).

Those two are the real stuff. There may be others now, but there are TONS of impostors that are nothing but light naphtha (about $1.50/gallon cost).

 

I've been using Techron in my Lexus Truck GX470 and my Brand New Prius religiously I'm a little more "liberal" in my application though, I use it every other tankful...

Is it keeping the engine/injectors clean, don't know but I figure with the $$$ that I'm saving at the pump, I'm more than happy to spend a few extra $$$ for the Techron...

Really glad to see so many positive replies about the product...!

 

Use E10 and your injectors and valves will get all the cleaning they need.

 

I add a bottle of Techron every 5K miles or so. It doesn't hurt and it probably helps, especially since I don't always use tier 1 gasoline. I don't use any other additives for my vehicles but I think this is one that really works.

 

pouring in Techron fuel injector cleaner isn't a bad idea... but if you pump tier 1 gas, you should be good as well because gas company nowadays have additives already in the refining of the gas.

 

What about Seafoam? I tried to purchase a bottle of Techron at Advance Auto the other day for my wife's CR-V and they told me Seafoam was a miracle in a bottle! Was I scammed?

 

Like in health there are a lot of hunches and anecdotes. Factually most fuel additives are either not helpful or actually injurious. Techron is, as far as I know, one of the very few that have an actual proven benefit in some cases. However, always defer to the manual. You do not know better than the engineers who built the engine. And neither does your mechanic, no matter where he works or what cars he's worked on. I don't know what the manual says for fuel additives. In many cars the manual says don't use them.

I recall that Chevron gas has some techron added to it. I have put some bottles through my other vehicles every 10k or so. I have no idea if it helped but I do recall reading it can be one of the fuel additives worth trying. To be honest I'll check the manual on the Prius first. If it says, and I almost bet it does, do not add additives I will not, period.

Some people write songs about seafoam. I've never used it. My believe in these things is until you can show me a real study indicating its proven benefit I am not going to use it, no matter what Jimmy at Autozone has to say about it.