Do engine additives work?

They may prevent future car maintenance problems regarding your fuel injectors and buildup. However, fuel additives may not improve your vehicle’s fuel economy right away after just one tank. Additives can help clean out those deposits and prevent expensive car maintenance down the road.

• Engine oil additives can help improve the performance and longevity of your engine in a variety of ways. Most improve the viscosity of the engine oil. Some also provide a coating of sorts to the engine internals and others help break up and flush out sludge.

Do engine additives actually work?

While most fuel additives are, at worst, harmless, Trotta warns against using engine cooling system additives that claim to plug leaks. These, she says, will only work temporarily on small leaks, will have no effect on larger leaks and could cause damage to your car’s mechanics.

Are car additives worth it?

Certain additives, including fuel additives, are worthy investments. They can clean your fuel injectors (and may increase fuel mileage), bolster older transmission performance, seal head gasket leaks and stop radiator leaks.

Do fuel injector additives actually work?

Do Fuel System Cleaners Work? Yes! When used regularly, fuel system cleaners can help work to remove harmful deposits and keep new ones from forming. They are especially important for engines running on gasoline containing Ethanol and fuel-injected engines.

Do fuel stabilizers actually work?

Fuel stabilizers keep fuel fresh and effective for at least two years of storage time. Old fuel can also leave gummy deposits behind in sensitive areas of the motor. The bottom line is trouble, unless you let a fuel stabilizer prevent it. This stuff really works.

Do FTC pellets work?

FTC will work in any petrol and diesel engine. It will remove a build-up of carbon in old engines, and prevent carbon from forming in new engines. FTC will permanently reduce raised vehicle emissions and restore lost fuel economy and is the most cost effective solution available.

Is redex good for your engine?

Redex is known to be good for maintaining your engine and removing deposits from fuel injectors. Fuel economy can be reduced by the deposits which build up on your fuel injectors during combustion, Redex System Cleaner eradicates this deposit build-up.

Can oil additives hurt my engine?

The majority of motor oils contain around 15% of additives. Without the proper levels of these additives, you run the chance of increased wear and tear on your engine, potentially resulting in rust, corrosion, oil sludge, decreased fuel economy, breakdowns, overheating, and expensive engine damage.

Can fuel additives increase horsepower?

Fuel additives can increase torque, horsepower and fuel economy of virtually any car or truck. Unlike expensive turbochargers, fuel additives are relatively cheap and can actually save you money by increasing your miles per gallon.

Are injector cleaners worth it?

You can expect to see a better running engine after using an injector cleaner. If you are having a hesitant engine, then it’s worth trying out a good injector cleaner. Reduced acceleration and fuel efficiency. The modern fuel injectors run on close tolerances through which pressurized fuel is pushed.

Does techron really work?

Techron® is proven effective in a wide range of field tests against the competition. Some competitor products either completely lack or have very little of the key detergents found in Techron. And unlike some competitors, Chevron has test results to back up every performance claim.

How often should fuel injectors be cleaned?

It is recommended to get fuel injector cleaning done after every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. If you’ve noticed a sharp decline in your fuel economy, a lack of power in your car, or have experienced a sluggish feeling when you accelerate, it could mean you need a fuel injection cleaning service.

Is 2 year old gas still good?

However, gas that is more than two month old is generally OK to use with only minor decreases in performance. Gas that is older than a year can cause issues, like engine knocking, sputtering and clogged injectors. Bad gas can be drained from the tank to prevent damage to the engine.

Which is better StarTron or Stabil?

ACCORDING TO EACH MANUFACTURERS’ SITE, StarTron will treat 6.4 times more fuel than Marine Stabil for the same price, and preserve the fuel twice as long.

Is seafoam or Stabil better?

Stabil, Stabil is comparatively better at storing gas-powered equipment or vehicles. Seafoam is costlier but does an amazing job when it comes to cleaning.

Do engine additives work?

There are several goods on the shelves of any car parts store that claim to boost gas mileage and overall performance, as you can see in the image below. Do those engine additives, on the other hand, actually work? If your engine is in good working order, the answer is no. They are a complete waste of money. However, if your engine isn’t in decent shape, a handful of them will function. Examine which engine additives are effective in the next section.

Do fuel injector and fuel system cleaners work?

Filling your car or truck with Top Tier gas means you’re already benefiting from the same or better fuel system cleansers than you’d receive from a store-bought product. If your engine is producing decent performance, investing in a fuel injector cleaning is a waste of time and money. But if you are concerned about engine performance; if you are experiencing a loss of power, difficult starting after shutting down the engine, or difficult starting while the engine is cold, it is worthwhile to experiment with a fuel injector or fuel system cleaning.

Which fuel injector or fuel system cleaners actually work?

My personal advise is to avoid the Seafoam, Lucas, and Royal Purple fuel system cleansers and instead use products that include either P.E.A. (polyetheramine) or PIBA (polyethylene glycol etheramine) (polyisbutylamine). These two cleaners have been shown to effectively clean gasoline injectors, and these are the items that are utilized in Top Tier gas. Chevron TechronGummout The following are the reasons why I do not advocate using Seafoam to clean your engine.

Which air induction cleaners actually work?

Gasoline direct injection engines, often known as GDI engines, are powered by injectors that transfer fuel directly into the combustion chamber. In comparison to port fuel injection, this is a distinct delivery technique. A port fuel injection system has injectors that spray gasoline into the valve opening, causing gasoline and cleaning chemicals to continually wash the backs of the valves in a continuous cycle. When using a GDI engine, this does not occur. It’s possible that when a GDI engine shuts down, heated combustion gasses will deposit carbon on the valves, which will create performance concerns.

• Air induction cleaning is accomplished by spraying the cleaner directly into the airstream while making careful to spray through the MAF sensor.
• After you’ve finished spraying, you should turn off the engine and let it soak for a few minutes.
• The two air induction cleaners that I recommend are listed below.
• The intake valve and turbo cleaner from CRC.

Do engine flush additives work?

Using engine flush additives might be beneficial if you have an oil sludge problem that is the result of a failing crankcase ventilation system in your vehicle. Performing an engine flush, on the other hand, if your sludge was produced by a lack of oil changes, might be significantly more harmful than beneficial.

Engine flushes are only recommended in extremely unusual circumstances. It is never recommended to do an engine flush as part of normal maintenance. More information about engine cleansing may be found in this blog article.

Do oil additives work?

They do not, in fact (with one exception). They are a total and utter waste of time and money. They will have no effect on performance or fuel economy. They operate only for the benefit of the corporations that manufacture this snake oil. There is, however, one exception. A ZDDP (zinc dialkl dithiophosphate) additive may be beneficial if you have an older engine (from the 1980s or before) with flat tappet valve lifters that have a high friction coefficient. Never use a ZDDP additive in a modern engine since it might cause harm to the catalytic converter.

Does head gasket sealer work?

The answer is no (with one exception). The money you spend on them is completely wasted. They will have no effect on performance or fuel efficiency. All of their efforts are directed only toward enriching the corporations who manufacture this fake medicine. The one exception, however, is the case of A ZDDP (zinc dialkl dithiophosphate) additive may be necessary if you have an older engine (from the 1980s or before) with high friction flat tappet valve lifters. Never use a ZDDP additive in a modern engine since they might cause harm to the catalytic converter.

Do radiator stop leak products work?

Sometimes, but only if you adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and precautions. IN RESPONSE TO THE LETTER One of the most common problems with radiator and heater core stop leak products is when do-it-yourselfers believe ‘more is better.’ A large amount of sealer will clog the small passageways in the heater core, resulting in considerably more serious difficulties. More information about stop leak products may be found in this blog article. Rick Muscoplat has a new year’s resolution. Rick Muscoplat posted a blog entry on

Do fuel additives really work?

Essentially, this is the question that underpins a great deal of the debate about gasoline additives. Do they have any effect? A reasonable question, and it’s critical to have a decent response to it if you’re planning on making an informed decision about whether or not to spend your hard-earned money on anything that claims to benefit you.

Do Fuel Additives Work? It Depends

I’m a bit of a celebrity at Bell Performance for providing the ‘it depends’ response since it is so versatile and can be applied to a variety of circumstances. In this case, the ‘it depends’ response is derived from a handful of subsequent questions:

• What exactly do you require it to perform
• Do you understand what constitutes success?

In actuality, the term ‘fuel additives’ refers to a very broad category of products. A fuel additive is anything that is added to a refined base fuel in order to provide a desired benefit. What type of advantage are we talking about? Increase the cetane rating of the engine. Increase the resistance of the material against oxidation and deterioration. Microbial development in the fuel and accompanying water should be eliminated. One thing you’ll notice is that those aren’t often the kinds of things that people are searching for when they’re looking for gasoline additives.

1. And yet, it is precisely for this reason that we know that gasoline additives are effective.
2. But what about all of the chemicals that promise to do everything, even cleaning the kitchen sink for your mother-in-law?
3. What’s more, you know what?
4. There’s a lot of snake oil out there that’s completely worthless.
5. What is it that you require a gasoline additive for?
6. Most consumer aftermarket fuel additives have problems since there is so much competition in the market that many companies have opted to attempt and differentiate themselves by over-promising and under-delivering on their commitments.
7. Over-promising is a simple process.

There is no understanding among their consumers regarding fuel chemistry and what is meant to accomplish what by when. They rely on the naivety and optimism of their customers. As a result, you will almost always be disappointed.

What Do You Need It To Do?

If you’re going to inquire as to whether or not gasoline additives are effective, the first and most crucial question you should ask (of yourself) is what you hope to accomplish with them. If you put enough effort into it, there are lots of chemistries that will function as fuel. However, this does not imply that they will fulfill or exceed all of the expectations of those who purchase them. That is not a fair expectation, and we believe you would agree if you gave it any thought. I’d want to have 25 percent better gas mileage, but that’s not likely to happen anytime soon, unfortunately.

• That is exactly what they stated.
• However, under some conditions, you may be able to obtain superior gas mileage.
• A magical ‘additive potion’ that was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics and some NASA award in 1973 and is now available to the general public does not exist.
• Those are valid side effects of gasoline additives, according to the manufacturer (provided they actually contain detergency to do that).
• There are a plethora of authentic chemicals available that have been demonstrated to be effective.

How Do I Know?

. if he truly cares for me. No, not the Whitney Houston of the title. How do you tell if the promises made about the product you’re purchasing are accurate or if they are exaggerated? We won’t be able to account for every type of claim that might arise, but here are some broad guidelines to follow.

Does It Claim To Solve World Hunger?

Okay, perhaps not that. But does it really promise to be able to accomplish 17 distinct things and then some more on top of that? Along with the promise of being able to regenerate hair (which is the Ron Popeil-equivalent of the claim of being able to increase gas economy by ‘up to 25 percent or more’)? The greater the number of things that anything promises to be able to do, the less likely it is that it will be able to accomplish any of those things well. One major reason for this is because the more the number of things an addition is required to perform, the greater the number of active components the recipe must have in order to accomplish those tasks.

• For example, increasing the cetane rating of diesel fuel by a significant amount cannot be accomplished with a single ‘drop’ of addition.
• To have that type of good impact, you need a cold flow treatment at a ratio of 1:1000 or more.
• Furthermore, gasoline additives that promise to be able to perform everything under the sun are even less likely to be real because their makers rely on marketing effect to get their products into the marketplace.
• Once individuals have used it and found it to be ineffective, they are unlikely to use it again.
• There is a greater likelihood that a product can do certain functions, and perform them well, the fewer the product’s promises.

We are unable to provide you with a definitive restriction on product claims because the idea is flexible. However, if you happen to see it, you’ll most likely be able to identify it.

Can I Recognize If It Works?

If all you want is greater gas mileage, that’s a much easy one to evaluate (though some people do mess that one up). That is not true for all types of gasoline difficulties that necessitate the use of additives. It’s not always simple to tell whether or not additives for stability or water management are effective. There are tests that can be performed (such as those that assess the stability rating or the water content), but the ordinary customer is not likely to perform them. What should you do in this situation?

Look for gasoline additive chemistries that are commonly employed in the commercial sector of the economy.

If a gasoline additive does not perform as expected, it is unlikely that many commercial or professional users will be interested in using that type of chemical.

Do Fuel Additives Really Work?

Whether or not gasoline additives are a suitable option for your car is something you may be debating. After all, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that all gasoline supplied in the United States have a certain level of deposit-control chemicals in order to prevent a potentially hazardous accumulation in automobile systems. Isn’t that sufficient? It all depends on the situation. Depending on your vehicle’s individual requirements, utilizing gasoline additives might be advantageous in some situations.

What are fuel additives?

One source of ambiguity around gasoline additives stems from the bewildering variety of products on the market. Various types of gasoline additives are available. They are not all created equal, with each type of addition addressing a distinct problem. Stabilizers and enhancers are the two broad kinds of fuel additives that are often used. Fuel stabilizers are intended to be used when the engine will not be utilized for an extended period of time, such as during the winter months.

We’ll go over each and every one of them below.

Types of fuel additives

Fuel injectors, as well as the rest of the fuel system, can get clogged with debris over time. Fuel injector cleaners contain detergents that aid in the clearing of the system, resulting in more consistent performance throughout. If you’re experiencing sluggish acceleration or diminished performance, employing a fuel injector cleaning is a simple and economical first step you may take to improve your situation. Using polybutene amine (PBA) in gasoline additives can help remove deposits from carburetors, fuel injectors, and intake valves.

2. Octane boosters

Octane boosters, as the name indicates, are intended to raise the octane rating of a fuel’s performance. However, the octane rating does not always correspond to the amount of power.

Instead, octane is critical in the creation of a stable environment in which combustion may take place. The use of an octane booster might be advantageous if your engine is experiencing difficulties such as pinging or knocking as a consequence of incomplete combustion.

3. Fuel stabilizers

Fuel stabilizers are excellent for use in any engine-powered device, from your automobile or truck to your lawnmower. They’re intended to keep gasoline from degrading over time, which might result in hard starts in some situations. In the event that you know you won’t be driving for a couple of months, consider applying a gasoline stabilizer as part of your winterizing procedure on boats, ATVs, and lawnmowers, among other things. You’ll be grateful to yourself afterwards!

4. Anti-gel diesel additives

Diesel fuel offers a number of legitimate advantages, but it struggles in the cold. In colder climates, diesel fuel will begin to gel, producing clogs in the filter, difficult starts, and potentially costly engine damage. During cold weather, anti-gel additives such as theLucas Oil Anti-Gel Cold Weather Diesel Treatment are meant to unclog diesel fuel filters and decrease difficulty starting by preventing gel formation. We urge that you take this prophylactic action as soon as the temperature begins to drop below 32 degrees.

The bottom line is that it all comes down to choosing the correct additive for your vehicle’s requirements and then following the manufacturer’s instructions.

What are your thoughts?

Please share your opinions with other car owners.

Comments

Certain additions, such as gasoline additives, are well worth the money spent on them. They may clean your fuel injectors (which may result in improved fuel mileage), improve the efficiency of an older transmission, seal head gasket leaks, and eliminate radiator leaks, among other things. 1/6

Fuel and Other Additives That Actually Work

Taking a stroll down the additives aisle at any auto parts store will reveal several hundred goods, each claiming to improve gas efficiency or transformyour everyday driving into a race car. Another sort of ‘miracle in a bottle’ product asserts that it can seal a leaky engine, repair a malfunctioning gearbox, or restore an old, worn-out engine to ‘like new’ condition. Do they actually work? Some people do. However, the majority of them are a complete waste of money. I’ll guide you through the jungle of goods and help you distinguish between reality and, well, snake oil.

2/6

Fuel Additives and System Cleaners

Fuel injector cleaner is found in every gallon of gasoline. However, Top Tier gasoline (which is labeled as such on the pump at the gas station) includes a greater concentration of it. In order to save money, I recommend that you pay a few cents extra per litre and fill your tank with Premium petrol. If you can’t locate a station that supplies Top Tier gas and you make a lot of short trips or travel in stop-and-go traffic, adding a fuel system cleaner to your tank may help you obtain better gas economy and enhance engine performance.

There’s no reason to spend any more money on a fuel system cleaning than that.

With a diesel engine, Marvel Diesel Supplement or STP Diesel Fuel Treatment will clean and lubricate the fuel system, allowing it to run more efficiently. They’ll also lower the likelihood of gasoline waxing in cold weather conditions. 3/6

Engine Cooling System Additives

if you find coolant puddles on your driveway, look for a damaged radiatoror heater hose or a loose hose clamp and fix it immediately. First and foremost, get it fixed. After that, look for a leaky core plug (also called a freeze plug). Core plugs are inexpensive and simple to replace provided you have easy access to the affected region. Try adding a cooling system sealer product such as Bar’s Leaks No. PLT11 or Gunk C312 (around $5 at auto parts stores) if it turns out that your leak is originating from your radiator, heater core, or an inaccessible core plug.

1. If this is the case, you haven’t lost much money.
2. If the sealer doesn’t work, you’ll have to face the fact that you’ll have to replace the defective component.
3. You can remove the top hose from your car and siphon off some coolant before pouring it into the radiator with a funnel if it does not have a radiator cap.
4. None of them are functional.
5. Just fork over the bucks to repair the fundamental cooling problem.
6. The lubrication of the water pump is excellent when the coolant is fresh.

Engine Transmission Additives

If you find coolant puddles on your driveway, look for a damaged radiatoror heater hose or a hose clamp that has become loose. First and foremost, fix the problem. Afterwards, look for any evidence of a leaking core plug (also called a freeze plug). If you have easy access to the affected region, core plugs are a low-cost and simple repair. Try adding a cooling system sealer product like Bar’s Leaks No. PLT11 or Gunk C312 (around $5 at auto parts stores) if it turns out that your leak is originating from your radiator, heater core, or an inaccessible core plug.

• It is unlikely that you will lose much money.
• Ultimately, if the sealer fails to stop the leak, you’ll have to face reality and replace the damaged component.
• To fill the radiator if your car does not have a radiator cap, remove the upper hose and pour coolant into the radiator using a funnel to siphon it out.
• Each and every one of them is ineffective.

Simply running a fork through the dough will solve the underlying cooling problem. The use of water pump lubricant is another another substance to stay away from. The water pump is well lubricated when it is filled with fresh coolant. 4/6

Head Gasket Sealers

If you find yourself continuously topping up your coolant despite the fact that you can’t locate any evidence of an exterior leak, you most likely have a leaky head gasket. Save your money on the low-cost head gasket sealers ($15 or less) (they require at least two full days of water-flushing procedures). Instead, use the additional money to purchase Bar’s Leaks. For example, HG-1 Head GasketCooling Sealant (about $45) or K W FiberLock Head GasketBlock Repair (No. 401224-6; approximately $35) are two options.

However, there is a critical caveat to utilizing any type of head gasket sealer.

If your engine overheats or loses coolant too quickly, don’t bother with a head gasket sealer; the cylinder head is most likely deformed and has to be replaced.

Unless the head gasket sealer fails to function properly, you will not need to replace it when you change your coolant.

Engine Oil Additives

Unless you have an ancient automobile (from the early 1980s or before), you should avoid using any oil additives. Due to the fact that such engines were developed with high-friction flat tappet lifters, they require an increase in anti-wear additive, such as ZDDP (zinc dialkyl dithio phosphate). Supplemental ZDDP additives are reasonably priced at less than $15 per bottle. Brands such as ZDDP Plus and Hy-Per Lube Zinc are available for purchase. If you have a post-’80s engine, avoid using ZDDP additives since the excess ZDDP might harm your catalytic converter.

It’s okay to daydream; it’s simply not going to happen.

Instead of wasting your money, use it towards something more helpful, such as frequent oil and filter replacements.

8 Expensive Mistakes That Depreciate the Value of Your Vehicle The original publication date was April 22, 2016.

Fuel Additives: What Are They & Do They Work?

Unless you have an ancient automobile (from the early 1980s or before), you should avoid using oil additives. Because such engines were developed with high-friction flat tappet lifters, they require an increase in anti-wear additive, such as ZDDP, to operate well (zinc dialkyl dithio phosphate). Additional ZDDP additives have a suggested retail price of less than $15 a bottle. Brands such as ZDDP Plus and Hy-Per Lube Zinc are available to purchase. If you have an engine built after 1980, avoid using ZDDP additives since the excess ZDDP might harm your catalytic converter.

It’s okay to daydream, but it’s not likely to come true.

Keep your money aside for something more helpful, such as regular oil and filter changes, and use it to help others.

Additional characteristics include: Techniques for Avoiding Being Scammed by an Auto Mechanic Is the higher cost of premium fuel worth it? There are eight costly mistakes that might cause your car’s value to decrease. April 22, 2016 (Prior to publication)

Are Fuel Additives Worth the Money?

For example, fuel or gasoline additives frequently make bold promises about how they will increase the performance of your engine, such as ‘improves fuel efficiency by 20%.’ A promise like that, according to the Federal Trade Commission, would be found on a bottle of gasoline additive and would be very tempting to purchase. It’s simple to understand the appeal: spend a few dollars, put the stuff into your gas tank, and you’ll quickly recoup your investment via the savings on petrol. Is it true, however, that gasoline additives are a worthwhile investment for your vehicle’s performance?

Others are available to do tasks such as cleaning fuel systems and injectors.

Is it really necessary to provide further assistance to our automobiles?

Trotta’s recommendations for several sorts of additives are listed below.

Types of Fuel Additives

Fuel system cleansers, the most prevalent type of addition, promise to remove carbon and other buildup from your fuel system, which Trotta believes they accomplish pretty effectively, and as a result, they can improve the overall performance of your vehicle. They’re also occasionally marketed as ‘fuel system corrosion fighters,’ which refers to an issue that some believe might arise in specific automobiles that consume fuel with a high enough concentration of ethanol. Trotta, on the other hand, disputes this allegation, stating that such rust accumulation is extremely unusual.

Fuel Injection Cleaners

Known as fuel injection cleaners, they are a special sort of fuel system cleaner that brush away carbon that has accumulated on the fuel injectors, which can have a negative influence on gas mileage. This is an issue that is particularly prevalent in some high-performance vehicles equipped with overhead cam engines, which can result in increased carbon buildup. ‘Some automobile types emit carbon dioxide,’ explains Trotta. It’s possible that you’ll benefit from a fuel injection cleaning if you don’t do a lot of highway driving, if you do a lot of short journeys, and the engine doesn’t get hot enough to clean itself.

Gas Mileage Additives

Apart from merely purifying and cleansing your fuel system, additives may provide your engine with a slew of other benefits. Products that promise to boost gas economy are becoming increasingly popular, particularly as gas prices climb. However, the Federal Trade Commission’s website advises taking a buyer-beware stance.

In the words of the organization’s website, ‘it’s a good idea to be wary of any gas-saving claims made for vehicle gadgets or oil and gas additives.’ Trotta concurs with this statement. ‘If it does make a difference,’ she adds, ‘it will be a negligible one.’ she says.

Cooling System Additives

In spite of the fact that the most majority of gasoline additives are at the very least non-toxic, Trotta advises against using engine cooling system additives that promise to plug leaks. They will only work momentarily on little leaks, she adds; they won’t have any effect on larger leaks; and they might cause harm to your car’s mechanical components. She advises that if you notice coolant accumulating on the floor of your garage, you should call your technician rather than grabbing for a bottle of cooling system additive.

The Bottom Line On Fuel Additives

If you’re considering utilizing an additive, Trotta suggests selecting a mechanic you can trust and adhering to the maintenance schedule outlined in your owner’s handbook as closely as possible. The individuals who design and build the car are usually the ones who know what’s best for it, she explains. Even while a qualified technician can safeguard your engine, it requires excellent auto insurance to secure your entire vehicle. GEICO is offering a free quotation right now. Next article:6 Gas-Saving Strategies to Help You Save Money

The Facts about Engine Oil Additives

For many years, aftermarket oil additives and treatments have been the topic of intense debate and debate has continued. Despite manufacturers’ claims that these solutions may perform wonders for your automobile, many experts say the excitement is mainly baseless. The majority of additives promise to lengthen the life of your car’s engine and enhance fuel efficiency, but scientific study has been unable to either substantiate or disprove these claims, which is disappointing. Ultimately, the decision to use an additive or not should rely on various criteria, including the age and condition of your automobile.

• The design of other products is geared on reducing oil leaks and corrosion, as well as reducing pollutants output and stopping engine smoke.
• To their credit, some significant facts have now begun to surface.
• According to the findings, the addition ZDDP (zinc dialkyldithiophosphate) does, in fact, help to minimize engine wear, which had previously been speculated about.
• Furthermore, it is incompatible with engines constructed of any material other than steel.
• When these nanospheres were added to engine oil, they decreased wear and boosted fuel efficiency by 10 to 25 percent without influencing the viscosity of the motor oil, according to the researchers.
• What Type of Oil Additive Should You Use in Your Vehicle?
• Despite the claims made by its marketers, aftermarket additives have not been scientifically demonstrated to deliver any significant advantage.
• Teflon additives were also suggested in the 1980s, but were eventually found to be impractical to make in large quantities.
• If your vehicle has excessive mileage or oil leaks, you may be able to benefit from aftermarket oil additives that are designed to address your unique issue; however, these should not be utilized if your vehicle is equipped with synthetic oil.

In addition to having conveniently located offices in Sandy and Salt Lake City, they give excellent assistance in a courteous and comfortable setting as well. Ask your service technician for further information on oil additives and the possible benefits they may have for your vehicle.

Protect Your Engine With Additives

Mr. Fix-It-Up-For-The-Family Certain additions, such as gasoline additives, do have an effect. Clean your fuel injectors (and maybe boost your fuel mileage), improve the performance of older transmissions, seal head gasket leaks, and halt radiator leaks are all benefits of using these products.

Overview: Fuel and other additives that work

Mr. Fix-It-Up-For-Us. Certain additions, such as gasoline additives, do have a positive effect on performance. Your fuel injectors are cleaned, and your fuel mileage may be improved. They also improve the efficiency of older transmissions, seal head gasket leaks, and halt radiator leaks.

Meet Our Pro

Mr. Fix-It-Up-For-Us Certain additions, such as gasoline additives, are effective. They clean your fuel injectors (and may even improve your fuel mileage), improve the efficiency of older transmissions, seal head gasket leaks, and halt radiator leaks.

Fuel additives

The cleansers should be added straight to the gasoline tank after reading the container directions for dosing quantities. Fuel injector cleaner is found in every gallon of gasoline. However, Top Tier gasoline (which is labeled as such on the pump at the gas station) includes a greater concentration of it. First and foremost, spend a few cents more per gallon and fill your tank with Top Tier petrol. For drivers who make frequent short trips or who travel in stop-and-go traffic, adding a gasoline system cleaner to their tank may help them achieve better gas mileage and enhance engine performance.

Chevron Techron and CRC Guaranteed to Pass fuel system cleansers are less than $13 per gallon and perform an excellent job cleaning the fuel system.

Simply add a bottle to your gas tank once every 3,000 miles, and your engine will appreciate you for your efforts.

They’ll also lower the likelihood of gasoline waxing in cold weather conditions.

Cooling system additives

Directly into the radiator, use leak-stopping materials. You can remove the top hose from your car and siphon off some coolant before pouring it into the radiator with a funnel if it does not have a radiator cap. Coolant puddles on your driveway may be caused by a fractured radiator or heater hose, or by a hose clamp that has come loose from the vehicle. First and foremost, get it fixed. After that, look for a leaky core plug (also called a freeze plug). Core plugs are inexpensive and simple to replace provided you have easy access to the affected region.

• PLT11 or Gunk C312 (around $5 at auto parts stores) if it turns out that your leak is originating from your radiator, heater core, or an inaccessible core plug.
• If this is the case, you haven’t lost much money.
• If the sealer doesn’t work, you’ll have to face the fact that you’ll have to replace the defective component.
• None of them are functional.

Simply running a fork through the dough will solve the underlying cooling problem. The use of water pump lubricant is another substance that should be avoided. The lubrication of the water pump is excellent when the coolant is fresh.

Transmission additives

Pour a container of transmission fluid conditioner into an older transmission that is still fully working to lengthen its life expectancy. Unless your transmission is very slow to change or unwilling to move into gear, even with plenty of fluid, it’s most likely on the verge of failing. If you’re a risk taker, you might want to experiment with a transmission ‘fix-in-bottle’ additive. It may be able to extend your driving season by a few months (at best). However, do not believe that you have solved the problem.

• If your gearbox shifts smoothly but has fluid leaks, you may use a transmission leak stop solution to fix the problem.
• However, they are not a long-term solution.
• Add a bottle of a fluid conditioner such as LubeGard, Prolong, or Lucas Transmission Fix (about $10) to an older transmission that is not experiencing shifting issues.
• If you’re driving a late-model car that’s equipped with newer long-life synthetic transmission fluids such as Mercon V, Dexron VI, or Chrysler ATF+4, you won’t need to bother with a conditioner.

Head gasket sealers

Pour the head gasket sealer straight into the radiator and allow the engine to run for the time period stated on the package before removing it. If you find yourself continuously topping up your coolant despite the fact that you can’t locate any evidence of an exterior leak, you most likely have a leaky head gasket. Save your money on the low-cost head gasket sealers ($15 or less) (they require at least two full days of water-flushing procedures). Instead, use the additional money to purchase Bar’s Leaks.

401224-6; approximately $35) are two options.

Your engine must be able to operate for around 20 minutes without overheating or losing its coolant in order to be considered safe.

That will necessitate the use of a machine shop and the installation of a new gasket.

Oil additives

Engines that are more than a decade old require additional wear prevention. At each oil change, add a zinc-enriched addition to the mix. Unless you have an ancient automobile (from the early 1980s or before), you should avoid using any oil additives. Due to the fact that such engines were developed with high-friction flat tappet lifters, they require an increase in anti-wear additive, such as ZDDP (zinc dialkyl dithio phosphate). Supplemental ZDDP additives are reasonably priced at less than $15 per bottle.

If you have a post-1980s engine, avoid using ZDDP additives since the excess ZDDP might harm your catalytic converter.

It’s okay to daydream, but it’s not going to happen.

The same may be said about oil treatments that contain Teflon or other compounds that promise to minimize friction and wear, such as silicone. Instead of wasting your money, use it towards something more helpful, such as frequent oil and filter replacements.

Are Engine Oil Additives Worth The Money?

Owners of automobiles and mechanics alike are deeply divided on the subject. While some believe it is practical to use engine oil additives and swear by them, others are skeptical and believe it is not worth all of the publicity it has gotten in recent years. While engine additives promise improved efficiency, mileage, and less engine noise, are they really worth the money you’ll spend on them? This is what we’re going to speak about in this post. Also, we will discuss what they are, how they function, and the advantages and disadvantages of each so that you can make an informed decision.

Engine Oil Additives – The Whole Nine Yards

Engine oil is largely responsible for keeping your engine lubricated. The additional lubrication helps the engine to operate more effectively while decreasing friction between its components. Additionally, motor oil prevents corrosion and sludge buildup while also removing impurities and maintaining a normal engine temperature – not too cold or too hot. However, motor oil is not capable of performing all of these functions on a continuous basis. This is where the use of additives comes into play.

You may obtain the additive by purchasing engine oil that has already been blended with additives or by purchasing the additive as a stand-alone oil supplement.

You may select the additive that best suits your needs based on the qualities and applications that you require.

How Does Engine Oil Additives Work?

As previously stated, the fundamental role of an oil engine is to ensure that the engine continues to operate effectively. With engine oil, you won’t be able to hear the screeching metal sounds that occur while you drive your car, which is something that no one wants to hear while driving. Engine oil additives are necessary for engine oils since they aid in the improvement of the oil’s ability to perform its functions. However, not all engine oils contain additives for a variety of reasons. As a result, you must take twice as much care in selecting the proper engine oil for your vehicle.

1. When oil does not include the proper additives, it can actually cause more harm than good to your engine.
2. So, what should you be on the lookout for while searching for high-quality engine oil additives?
3. It would be preferable if you could make sure that the oil is neither too thick nor too runny before using it.
4. If the oil is too ‘watery,’ it will not be sticky enough to perform its function.

To further complicate matters, the viscosity of oil can vary depending on temperature. As a result, you must also pay attention to the temperature of the surrounding environment as well as the temperature of your engine.

Benefits of Engine Oil Additives

Because there are so many various types of additives available on the market today, the advantages you receive will vary depending on the formulation you choose. However, the following are the several advantages that you may experience when you utilize engine oil additives in your engine on a regular basis.

Additives Are Mostly Compatible With Both Mineral and Synthetic Engine Oils

For both mineral and synthetic engine oils, the majority of additives are safe to use in combination. Regardless of whether you employ one or the other, you’ll still be able to introduce additives into the system in any case. To be certain, though, you should visit a technician to see whether the additive of your choice would be an awesome addition to the oil you are already using and, more importantly, your engine.

Additives Reduce Friction

We’ve already discussed that additives help to minimize friction. The reason why friction between engine elements should be avoided at all costs, however, has not yet been discussed in detail. If you’ve been driving for a while, you’ve undoubtedly come to realize why engine friction is referred to be the ‘primary nemesis of automobile engines.’ Moveable parts will rub against each other aggressively if they are not properly lubricated with oil. When this occurs, it is possible that the gas mileage will be reduced.

Furthermore, while using an additive, the engine oil’s performance may endure for a longer period of time than typical.

Prevents Crankshaft Foam Buildup

Engine oil is beneficial, but it may also generate a frothy buildup in the crankshaft, which is undesirable. When you overfill the engine with oil, it churns the oil around like butter, which is one of the reasons why this happens. If the foam does not have a distinct color, you can mention so. However, if you did not overfill the engine, this simply indicates that your engine oil does not have an additive with anti-foaming properties. Despite the fact that crankshaft foam appears to be innocuous, it is critical to address the issue as soon as possible since it can cause serious damage.

Prevents Sludge Buildup

Oil is beneficial, but it may also generate a frothy buildup in the crankshaft, which is undesirable. When you overfill the engine with oil, it churns the oil around like butter, which is one of the reasons why this occurs. If the foam does not have a distinct hue, you might state that it is thus. However, if you did not overfill the engine, this simply indicates that your engine oil does not have an anti-foaming ingredient. The presence of crankshaft foam may appear to be innocuous, but it is critical to address it as quickly as possible because to the potential for damage.

Oil Additive Disadvantages

The benefits listed above are only a few of the numerous advantages of using engine oil additives.

But are there any drawbacks to it as well? Yes, if you don’t know how to utilize it properly, there are risks. The following are some of the drawbacks that you may face.

Increase in One’s Function While Decreasing The Other

As you can see, employing engine additives has a variety of advantages that you may take use of. However, the goal of one addition may take precedence over the purpose of another. It has been discovered that the zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDPP) additive can help to reduce engine wear, according to research undertaken by Penn State University students and published in Science Magazine. However, they discovered that ZDPP can function as an agent to enhance the friction of catalytic converters in the process.

Can Potentially Do The Opposite Of What The Additive Prevents

You run the risk of having the opposite effect if you do not utilize particular additives in the proper manner. Anti-foaming agents, for example, are exactly as effective as many people believe they are. However, anti-foaming compounds should never be the exclusive focus of attention. When you overdo it, there’s a good probability that your anti-foaming compounds may end up attracting even more foam than before.

Claims Say Additives Are Not Necessary

According to a post on Angelfire, engine oil additives are not required. According to the article, it might cause long-term harm to your engine. According to the article, it is merely an additional cost that you may avoid incurring, and engine oils already include sufficient components and additives to safeguard your engine and extend its operating life.

In Conclusion

Is it necessary to apply engine oil additives? First and foremost, you should be aware that the majority of engine oils already include additives. If you decide to use aftermarket additives, it’s important to understand that the majority of them do not have sufficient scientific evidence to support their usefulness. Regardless, engine oil additives may be beneficial in some situations. Nonetheless, contact with an expert technician first if you aren’t sure which one to seek advice from. In most cases, mechanics can tell you right away which fluid to use based on the manufacturer’s specifications for your vehicle.

Regular maintenance is the most reliable and foolproof way to determine the health of your engine, and it is also the most effective approach to keep the engine’s health in top form and avoid engine issues before they become expensive.

Are Fuel Additives for You?

Engine oil additives: should you use them? As a starting point, you should be aware that the vast majority of engine oils already include additives. If you decide to go with aftermarket additives, it’s important to understand that the majority of them do not have sufficient scientific evidence to support their efficacy. Regardless, engine oil additives may be a good idea in some cases. Nonetheless, contact with a professional technician first if you aren’t sure which one to get assistance from.

In addition, it is preferable if you are able to do routine automobile engine maintenance.

If you intend to sell your vehicle, you should have it pre-inspected first to ensure that it is in good working order, including the engine and other components.

Diesel fuel quality

While the supply of diesel fuel in the United States is typically reliable, it is not always reliable and constant. When constructing and certifying their engines, diesel engine manufacturers take into consideration quality fluctuations. Generally speaking, they do not support or promote the use of gasoline additives in any way. Adding additives to diesel fuel is not recommended for Volvo truck owners, according to Volvo. In the event that additives are required, they should be added at the gasoline supply terminal, according to John Moore, powertrain product marketing manager for Volvo Trucks North America.

‘Cummins engines have been designed and developed to both certify and operate efficiently on commercially available diesel fuel,’ said Josh Hahn, coolants and chemicals business leader at Cummins Filtration.

Nevertheless, Cummins knows that there are poor quality fuels on the market that do not always satisfy ASTM D975 standards, which can result in a range of challenges for the customer, including poor lubricity, low cetane numbers, low temperature operability concerns, and injector deposits.

The announcement of the Cummins Power Service partnership came last year, and according to Roger England, director of technical quality and materials engineering for Cummins, ‘Diesel fuel quality has become increasingly important in recent years as engines evolve and diesel fuel manufacturing processes change.’ When you consider that pollution regulations are becoming more stringent and that engine technology is driving tighter mechanical and technical tolerances, it is easy to comprehend.

In summary, because the inconsistency in the supply of gasoline is not expected to improve, engine manufacturers such as Cummins are taking efforts to level the playing field for their products.

The Detroit Transportation Network Authority (DTNA) does not specifically endorse any brand or type of fuel additive, but they do recommend Top Tier diesel fuel because it addresses many of the shortcomings of ASTM specifications regarding diesel fuel quality.

‘How does Top Tier work?

Because stores may also offer non-additional diesel fuel or diesel that does not fulfill the Top Tier specifications, the website advises customers to ‘always verify the dispenser.’ In order to achieve high-quality combustion, the fuel must be ignited quickly, then burned smoothly and completely.

The greater the cetane number, the shorter the ignition delay and the better the quality of the combustion process. Cetane improver additives can be used to improve the performance of slow diesel. Photo courtesy of Jim Park

The cetane question

Many addition products make the promise that they may raise the cetane number of gasoline. The natural cetane number of a fuel is impacted by a variety of factors, including the base crude stock from which the fuel is derived and the refining procedure used to produce it. In the United States, the minimum cetane number is 40, however real cetane values will vary from that. In Europe, the bare minimum is 51 years old. Higher is seen as superior – but only up to a point. A webpage from the United Kingdom’s BP oil company provides a clear and comprehensive discussion of cetane and its influence on performance: ‘The cetane number is the most important indicator of the quality of diesel fuel combustion.’ Specifically, the number refers to the ignition delay, which is the time that elapses between the beginning of fuel injection and the beginning of combustion.

The greater the cetane number, the shorter the ignition delay, and the better the quality of combustion is as a result.

These poor combustion characteristics can result in excessive engine noise and vibration, as well as higher emissions and lower vehicle performance,’ says the manufacturer.

A more atomized spray pattern produced by clean injectors aids in the combustion of fuel, resulting in a more efficient and cleaner burn.

As a result, performance and mileage have increased, while total hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions have decreased.’ According to additive proponents, there are several reasons to consider investing in an additive program, ranging from enhancing fuel mileage to lowering DPF soot loads, preserving optimum injector performance, and minimizing corrosion within the fuel system, among other things.

There are products on the market that can achieve all of this and more.

Because the oil industry is not going to do the work for them, Gary Pipenger, owner and CEO of Amalgamated Inc., a Fort Wayne, Indiana-based additive provider, says fleets will have to do it themselves using chemistry if they want to get the highest fuel efficiency possible.

Each and every application may be addressed with a solution, but not all of them are created equal.

For example, the American Trucking Association’s TechnologyMaintenance Council publishes Recommended Practice RP 341A, Diesel Fuel Additive Functionality Groups, and Winter Operational Guidelines to assist fleets in distinguishing wheat from chaff.

Only field testing can determine whether or not a certain product is a suitable investment for your fleet.

‘Test your gasoline, get samples from the provider, and then test your fuel again.’ Run A/B testing on a couple of trucks to see whether or not the additives are effective. ‘The bottom line is to test, test, and more testing.’

Related:How to Push Your Truck Fleet’s MPG Envelope