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Vaad Sophomore Author New York Posts:100 Points:152,110 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 9:24:59 PM Ignore Vaad Report Abuse Does anyone know if these "fuel additives" help increase gas inefficiency. Additives such as "cleaners" "boosters" or plain and simple additives that claim to help gas efficiency.

Vaad

Sophomore Author
New York

Posts:100
Points:152,110
Joined:Nov 2012

Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 9:24:59 PM

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Does anyone know if these "fuel additives" help increase gas inefficiency.
Additives such as "cleaners" "boosters" or plain and simple additives that claim to help gas efficiency.

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BigHorne1 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,507 Points:298,725 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2013 9:53:52 AM Ignore BigHorne1 Report Abuse they give you a bit of boost of performance of the tank you put it in, then your gas mileage goes down for the next two fill ups due to it.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,913 Points:2,057,655 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2013 8:11:51 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse rip city
dgsteven All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:807 Points:208,850 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2013 3:19:26 AM Ignore dgsteven Report Abuse not work
chipote Champion Author Washington Posts:1,274 Points:389,555 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2013 3:10:54 AM Ignore chipote Report Abuse Additives don't work
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,347 Points:693,500 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2013 12:47:53 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse VAAD writes: …help increase gas inefficiency … ________ ?????? The vast majority of fuel additives are a waste. Use a Top Tier fuel and you won't have any problems.
WTM Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:5,505 Points:958,850 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2013 7:17:01 PM Ignore WTM Report Abuse I use >>factory recommended<< fuel additives as preventive maintanence. Since the additives I use have been proven to keep the fuel system/intake valves cleaner, they do have the potential to "save fuel" in the long run. Also, as an auto repair shop employee I've seen numerous cases of fuel quality issues in my area. One $3 bottle of fuel additive used once every 6-8 weeks is enough to keep those problems away from me.
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,252 Points:538,100 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2013 6:04:10 PM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse What about additives to correct for the damage which ethanol does to engines?
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,252 Points:538,100 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2012 8:26:25 PM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse OK, I'll jump back in for this thought: Back in the 70s I was driving a mid-60s Emeryville. When it was 20 or below, I always put a quart of alcohol in each tank to prevent gas line freeze.
myphenix Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,291 Points:363,650 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 11:58:28 AM Ignore myphenix Report Abuse never use them
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,252 Points:538,100 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 10:48:32 AM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse Since this thread is focused on diesels, I'll bow out of this thread. I don't own a diesel, and wouldn't buy a pair of "Diesel" jeans even if I could afford them!
Bluebird333 All-Star Author Wisconsin Posts:634 Points:52,300 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 5:15:55 AM Ignore Bluebird333 Report Abuse Traffic cop:"Considering there's no mpg advantage, what's the point?" Not true. Diesels older than 07' will notice an increase. Heres a link were they tested 3 additives. dieselpowermag.com/tech/ford/0911dp_fuel_additive_test/
wshokie12 Champion Author Winston-Salem Posts:1,330 Points:218,510 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 12:30:32 AM Ignore wshokie12 Report Abuse none
sagnat Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,169 Points:310,435 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 11:47:01 AM Ignore sagnat Report Abuse I use 4 ounces of Diesel Kleen with every fill up. It helps keep the injectors clean and gives me a little piece of mind. TrafficCop - The diesel additive isn't necessary at every fill up to keep the injectors clean but with the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel the additive does add lubricity to the fuel. The sulfur in diesel was the lubricating agent, with less sulfur there is less lube and with fuel pumps like I have on my 2012 diesel you want as much lubrication as possible. Older injection pumps could handle just about anything but the new ones can't (even a minute amount of gasoline mixed with diesel can kill the new pumps)
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,055 Points:2,448,775 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 10:49:27 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse I rarely use additives. The gasoline I've been getting has been good, but I got a tank of bad gas years ago, and used additives to help until I had used that tank up.
DanFMA Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,121 Points:1,074,435 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 6:43:56 AM Ignore DanFMA Report Abuse Use an additive in diesel.
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,252 Points:538,100 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 6:00:46 AM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse disel8888, do you think you need an injector cleaner EVERY fill-up? Considering there's no mpg advantage, what's the point? I can't imagine that diesel fuel carries significantly more contaminants than gasoline.
diesel8888 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:1,202 Points:361,335 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 12:50:22 PM Ignore diesel8888 Report Abuse I use redline fuel additive on every fill up. It has kept my injectors working great, but the MPG is pretty much the same. There might be a small improvement, but nothing overly impressive that I have to announce on tv.....
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,252 Points:538,100 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 10:43:39 AM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse Well, I can still take it back. The $2.50 coupon I used would be my profit, as I'd probably get the full retail price back as refund. Anybody have anything good to say about this stuff?
Gerry1949 Champion Author Columbia Posts:3,068 Points:645,230 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 9:52:19 AM Ignore Gerry1949 Report Abuse Never - they are simply a money-making ploy
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 9:37:48 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse Driving a vehicle on a daily basis highway speeds has never required me to need any additives,simply by running each vehicle on a reg. basis the fuel doesn't have a chance to get stagnet. I have always considered a Van type vehicle as not being efficient because of frontal aerodynamic mass,tire size,usually V/6 powerplants,extra weight due to window area sq in. of glass/seating,height,body cabin insulation,rear roof design for bulky loads don't help,heavy side door construction,etc. Your occupational driving habits may hamper your personal driving,maybe not,concerning fuel consumption,a hurry attitude affects the right foot a lot driving. With cooler weather,notice what the engine temps are doing on a warm-up,depends on the age of vehicle,but vans are harder on thermostats,rather the engine room is more cramped for good ventilation,can run hot,shortening the life of the thermostat,some get sluggish before real problems set in. Fall weather shows up a lot of problems often on vehicles. I've used ST.. products before,for different reasons,depends if knowing what symptoms exhist beforehand....Vans often have larger heater capacity by volume ,often with the blower control on high,the heater acts somewhat like a second radiator,keeping the engine from warming at slower speeds delaying warming to normal,sometimes mileage suffers. I've owned three vehicles that had large deluxe heaters,I tried a lot of things to save winter fuel and stay warm,one was a window van,driving at speeds of 25 mph,Cold Winter,that V/8 engine wouldn't warm to normal if blower was set above med. Highway Yes!engines working load was greater..
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,548 Points:2,838,240 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 9:33:41 AM Ignore gvan Report Abuse Here's one refedrence: Myth: Additives to gasolines improve your car’s fuel efficiency. Facts: “We have tested many different types of gas additives, and we have never found any that did anything to improve fuel efficiency,” says Steve Mazor, manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California’s automotive research center. Likewise, of more than 100 different fuel additives tested by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, none was found to improve a car’s gas mileage.
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,798 Points:2,897,560 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 5:28:00 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse What have you actually gained by the time you buy a product? Nothing!
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,252 Points:538,100 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 1:49:26 AM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse Okay, I just bought a 4-pack of STP injector cleaner at a warehouse store. Cost me $7.50 With tax, that comes to $2.00 a bottle. Should I use it? or am I sucker and should I return it? Still have the receipt.... I drive a 2009 Sienna XLE, about 50K miles. Gets 14.7 crappy mpg. Thoughts, guys? [Edited by: traffic cop at 11/20/2012 1:51:42 AM EST]
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 12:25:31 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse Going back to my post of Sooo thin texture; My trials/errors over time always had results,some good some not so. Comparing an additive with ones sences is not always the best way of judging a product. Example; Most have used silicone spray,its thin,sprays good in most temps. After use one can tell whether or not a benefit takes place where a dry lubricant is needed.Unless you know the results will be better,or can see that product works,still maybe don't,can't understand how a spray film stays dry,non dirty,stays put,lasts,lubes,etc. simply by looking at it. Many products demonstrated are that way,some maybe gimicks,some ligit for proper use,work well...temperary cure...My rule is if it's too good to be,it an't going to be dirt cheap. Biogradable uh huh!..... If the product seems like a small miracle for you ,use the entire container up then,later might be in a % of wasted stuck...!^&%)@~%~^#
ranger2k All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:791 Points:92,375 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 12:24:41 PM Ignore ranger2k Report Abuse Just injector cleaner every once and a while
Dennis783 Champion Author Des Moines Posts:13,604 Points:2,705,835 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 7:40:11 AM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse Can't imagine I could get enough savings to make up for the cost of the product
85winger Rookie Author Ontario Posts:92 Points:3,830 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Nov 13, 2012 9:45:39 PM Ignore 85winger Report Abuse I occasionally use SeaFoam in fuel.No real MPG change but start and idle is better. Makes me feel good.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,913 Points:2,057,655 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Nov 13, 2012 8:14:03 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Rip city.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2012 9:54:14 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse Many years ago a friction reducing very thin additive to gas and oil I tried at seperate times each one. Both raised the idle speed enough that I reduced it at the carb setting twice,It was discontinued for some reason. This was used on a V8 STD.tranny hopped engine,after an oil change I never added again,but the results were fine,I had the feeling continued use might harm the engine sooner/later only because that stuff was sooo.. thin in texture... Fuel tank sensor is the only additive recently used when my dash reading indicater started acting strange,the cleaner corrected the problem so far.
OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,718 Points:1,330,325 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2012 7:51:51 AM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse Somebody was pushing the addition of TC-W3 marine 2-cycle oil a couple of weeks ago ...
rick_evans Champion Author Boston Posts:3,734 Points:1,035,660 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2012 7:33:23 AM Ignore rick_evans Report Abuse If Consumer Reports recommended one I might try it. I'm not holding my breath.
Norm1947 Champion Author Flint Posts:2,945 Points:459,830 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2012 12:28:24 AM Ignore Norm1947 Report Abuse Never tried any. I would be curious as well.
Delta258 Sophomore Author Fresno Posts:106 Points:21,110 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 10:55:04 PM Ignore Delta258 Report Abuse I wouldn't know.
Karisholman Veteran Author Nevada Posts:281 Points:170,410 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 10:47:46 PM Ignore Karisholman Report Abuse I used to purchase one through Amway. It really saved fuel.We had a suburban and an RV wit horrible mpg. The Suburban had 12 mg and the RV had 7 mpg. We would get about a 20% increase in mpg. We always track our mpg on these veicles and the joke with RV was it got 7 mpg full, empty, goin uphill into the wind or downhill with a tail wind. We towed an auto trailer with a car and the contents of a 3 bedroom apartment.... 7 mpg. So we were impressed with this fuel on fuel additive. We researched the company. They had nverhad any clais against them for any engine problems. My husband passed way and I sold those vehicles. I don't expect them to all be the same, but that was our experince with that additive. I think the company went bankrupt and I have never tried any others.
WEPSMAN Champion Author South Dakota Posts:10,513 Points:2,025,200 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 10:40:36 PM Ignore WEPSMAN Report Abuse they might do some good, but probably cost more than the savings you will see.