I have always used a fuel additive about once a year. Several good mechanics/racers have suggested the same. I'm not talking some magic cure or fantastic mileage increase. I'm talking Chemtool. STP, Duralt conditioner used occasionally to keep the upper end clean. Any pros/cons/suggestions. The rubber bladder has me a little concerned.
Fuel saving gadgets - a professional engineer's view If you're using 'Top Tier' gas, you probably don't ever need any other additive. If you're not, one tank a year of 'top tier' is probably all you need.
Do you use E10 fuel (that is, the gas station pump says "Up to 10% ethanol")? If so it's already providing all of the injector and valve cleaning that would ever be needed.
I don't know. I have to say I had an oil change at sts and my mileage was extremely poor over the winter. I found shell gas was not giving me good mileage, exxon was best.... I just had a toyota oil change yesterday AND today added a bottle of textron fuel injector cleaner ...50 degrees, 70 miles, 53 MPG... Happy days!!!! There are just so many variables, you really have to be disciplined to have a good scientific experiment.
I usually add a bottle of Techron at every other oil change. Every time I've done it the tank that has the techron in it is just average, but the following tank usually has about a 10 % increase.
I've always put in a bottle of Techron with every oil change, however, the Prius is new to me (brand new 09, less than a month old, about 1,500 on the odo as of yesterday). I will probably do the same thing. I usually use Shell gas, and I'm pretty sure down here there is no ethanol in it. With Shell advertising their 'nitrogen enriched' fuels, I do wonder, but I'd want to see objective third-party investigations before I put any stock in their claims. However, a few years ago when they advertised getting better fuel economy, I was able to compare Shell and Valero (I had primarily used Valero up until then) and found that Shell actually DID give better economy. I got a Shell card and have been using it almost exclusively for several years.
Austin's a big enough city; I'd bet that all gas there does have ethanol. Look for a sticker on the pump.
Austin definitely is, but we're in the south. We usually get to avoid the different formulations and ethanol. I've looked a few times at a few stations and never saw an ethanol notice. If I did at any stations, I would avoid them.
I don't know how much difference it makes in my Prius but I lose 15-25 % mileage with heavier vehicles. I have had that confirmed by many others that have tried it. Many stations here have quit handling it & display signs proclaiming the fact. I also don't like it that it is subsidized by the "gov't" meaning I pay the bill. I also cringe just a bit at burning corn while some people in the world go hungry. It is usually higher priced here too. ?? Kind of a double/triple hit to me. I don't buy it.
I would like to be able to avoid the 10% to 12% ethanol additives, but here in Tennessee, I have not found any pumps that do not have this added. Granted, it does help make for a cleaner engine, but there is a slight decrease in mpg's. it's a no win situation here locally. I think it's a bandwagon that all the major oil companies have climbed on. This helps them take their product farther, hence more profit for them.
Get a truck & trailer loaded with cattle/horses & you'll think a "little" decrease in mileage. You'll think you sprung a major leak!
They can clean clogged injectors but if you use good gas and take care of your car there is really not much help. They add about .1% octane rating to the gas
Frayadjacent, I myself have went to many Shell stations and would wonder if they were only putting their proprietary additives in their premium fuel as the lower octane buttons never had the VPower icon on them. Maybe it's my attention to detail getting in the way, but I have used their additive along with Lucas with no problems yet.
