Gas Additives (New Pilot Pic too)

[hornedfrog04]

Hey Folks!

Thanks so much for your previous advice.

I was wandering what the consensus is here on gas additives and fuel system treatments? I know what it says in the owners manual, and I know the FTC says some of them can harm your engine and they wont increase gas mileage.

I think my question is: Is there anything you can use to clean your fuel system that won't harm the engine? Is it better just to trust your gas?

Thanks in advance for your reply!

Also, here is a pic of my new baby boy, purchased on April 10, since we all know by now that a thread is no good without pics!

[jay]

I've been in the habit of adding a can of Chevron Techroline fuel injector cleaner at the first fill-up after an oil change.

Nice looking Pilot.

[AlH]

You need to add the Techron or Techroline (good stuff btw) the last fill up BEFORE an oil change. Some of the crap they clean out can end up in the oil.

[jay]

Originally posted by AlH
You need to add the Techron or Techroline (good stuff btw) the last fill up BEFORE an oil change. Some of the crap they clean out can end up in the oil.

Thanks, I'll start doing that. I wish I could get Chevron gas here, then I wouldn't mind paying $2 a gallon. I've always gotten the best mileage from Chevron gas, and decided years ago that adding the cleaner was the next best thing.

[hornedfrog04]

Wow! You can really tell a difference? I have always used Exxon/Mobil because thats the only gas card I have. How does the Techroline differ from other additives?

[AlH]

Actually the additive is Techron, I think their gas with it used to be called Techroline. Go to http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuels/techrongas/ and you can read about it. A number of manufacturers spec Techron as the only pour-in cleaner that works. They don't sell Chevron gas here either, but Wal-Mart carries the Techron.

[elduderino]

Originally posted by jay
Thanks, I'll start doing that. I wish I could get Chevron gas here, then I wouldn't mind paying $2 a gallon. I've always gotten the best mileage from Chevron gas, and decided years ago that adding the cleaner was the next best thing.

Jay, I actually found a Chevron station here in VA by accident. I was running way low coming back from Shenendoah and stopped in Marshall, VA (the only gas in 15-20 miles (mile marker 28 on I-66) and found a Chevron station. I promptly did a search on www.chevron.com and found several local stations. I wonder if they add Techron to all of their gas grades or only their upper grades?

[xGS]

Originally posted by elduderino
...I wonder if they add Techron to all of their gas grades or only their upper grades?

Chevron adds Techron to all 3 grades:

[http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuel...h-unlead.shtml]
[http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuel...ech-plus.shtml]
[http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuel...-supreme.shtml]

Regarding the highest grade, Supreme, they state that:

"In addition to providing high octane, Chevron Supreme Unleaded gasoline has a higher dose of the exclusive gasoline additive Techron® compared to our regular and plus unleaded grades. This higher dose of Techron® can clean up dirty carburetors, fuel injectors and intake valves faster, which could be important for those of you who occasionally purchase something other than the highest quality gasoline. The higher dose of Techron® also can help keep intake valves their cleanest, which can help sensitive engines and engines in severe service operate their best (some driving patterns cause a greater tendency to form deposits in different parts of the engine)."

However, all 3 grades of Chevron gas meet the new Top Tier Detergent Gasoline standard established by BMW, GM, Honda and Toyota:

[http://www.chevrontexaco.com/news/pr...2004-06-17.asp]
[http://www.toptiergas.com]

[jay]

Originally posted by elduderino


Jay, I actually found a Chevron station here in VA by accident. I was running way low coming back from Shenendoah and stopped in Marshall, VA (the only gas in 15-20 miles (mile marker 28 on I-66) and found a Chevron station. I promptly did a search on www.chevron.com and found several local stations. I wonder if they add Techron to all of their gas grades or only their upper grades?

Cool. Thanks for the link. I guess the old Texaco in Gainesville is now a Chevron. I'll have to check it out.

[Dac]

I used to use all kinds of additives in the fuel system just to keep it in top shape untill i read that the premium fuels actually have extra detergents in them already.Im my BMW i always use Shell Gold and i can tell you that 185.000 km later the bimmer purrs like a kitten and runns super reliable ...premium fuel and oils like Mobil 1 work for me (always...i know all the Shells in my area ),but i have found myself down in the US (Montana) and i have used Exxon products...again their premium,here in Canada Exxon is Esso and their stuff is ok but Shell does the most research for performance wise.By using premium fuel you always will have clean injectors,better performance (our Pilot today is 2 weeks old;and i read in the owner's manual that premium fuel is recomended if you tow or drive up the mountains... ),i still think Honda didn't want to recomend using premium fuels so they (Honda) have an advantage over the nearest competitor the Highlander that calls for premium fuel,this way the Pilot apears to be less expensive to own and operate... but it too needs premium .
Thank you

[03pilotish]

I used to use all kinds of additives in the fuel system just to keep it in top shape untill i read that the premium fuels actually have extra detergents in them already.Im my BMW i always use Shell Gold and i can tell you that 185.000 km later the bimmer purrs like a kitten and runns super reliable ...premium fuel and oils like Mobil 1 work for me (always...i know all the Shells in my area ),but i have found myself down in the US (Montana) and i have used Exxon products...again their premium,here in Canada Exxon is Esso and their stuff is ok but Shell does the most research for performance wise.By using premium fuel you always will have clean injectors,better performance (our Pilot today is 2 weeks old;and i read in the owner's manual that premium fuel is recomended if you tow or drive up the mountains... ),i still think Honda didn't want to recomend using premium fuels so they (Honda) have an advantage over the nearest competitor the Highlander that calls for premium fuel,this way the Pilot apears to be less expensive to own and operate... but it too needs premium .

you can always go upgrade your gas but never downgrade. if the car says Premium only, you can't go w/ anything else... if you wanna keep your car for awhile ... and Toyota want's to say they have better fuel efficiency.

05 Toyota Highlander: 18/24
05 Honda Pilot: 17/22 (Regular Unleaded)

i don't know about you guys but i still wouldn't buy Highlander...

[03pilotish]

[03pilotish]

may be we should get a sponsorship from chevron

[jay]

Dac, the Highlander, like my RX 330, requires regular unleaded, but recommends premium for better performance. In my experience, the better performance and improved mileage more than cover the extra cost of premium fuel. The Highlander, like my RX 330, actually achieves the EPA estimates. That's something that was a challenge with my Pilot.

[RipRocK]

Originally posted by jay
Dac, the Highlander, like my RX 330, requires regular unleaded, but recommends premium for better performance. In my experience, the better performance and improved mileage more than cover the extra cost of premium fuel. The Highlander, like my RX 330, actually achieves the EPA estimates. That's something that was a challenge with my Pilot.

You didn't have your Pilot long enough to for it to've been broken in My Pilot's MPG dropped suddenly to be in line with the advertised rate right around the 15,000KM/10,000 mile mark. Sure took a long time. So, now, I'm getting anywhere between 13.5 to 14L/100KM (17.5 to 16.8MPG) in the city, which I guess isn't too bad.