Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Do gas additives really work?

I was thinking about adding either some of that redline stuff, or the chevron fuel injector cleaner (100% techron, right?) stuff to my gas tank tonight after work.

Does this stuff actually work?

Any first hand accounts?

Thanx.

It works, but the effects are short-lived. Should do it several times a year, at least once every 6K.

I've used Redline on older fuel injected cars and noticed minor improvements. I have heard excellent words about the Chevron stuff too. But there is no substitue for a good cleaning.

Several mechanics at work have told me there is no subsitute for a good cleaning as well.

I bought my car used with 17K miles, but it didn't seem abused as it ran great and was very clean inside.

My car has 25K mile on it now and other than an oil change and replacing the air filter with a K&N I haven't done anything.

I always run the highest octane gas they have at the gas station I stop at (93 +), and figured if they actually worked it would fall into the category of preventive maintenance.

any comments?

You sound like me how I treated my SVT.

I'd change the fuel filter and throw a bottle of the cleaner in the following tank. Make sure to hit redline a few times on that tank (like you really need an excuse in the SVT). Wait until 60k mile range to do the thorough cleaning.

APT - Would you recommend the redline stuff, or the Chevron? (or something else?)

Even with "premium" fuel (91/92 octane around here), I still get alot of pinging when I jump on the throttle. Have used Valvoline and Zmax fuel additives and the pinging stops.

I guess I'd try the Chevron stuff because I've never used it and it is supposed to be the strongest detergent. But it costs twice the Redline. I don't know either one is better than ther other for sure, though.

That Redline stuff works. When I put my 24# injectors in, I had a bad injector miss. Most likely they were dried out from sitting on the shelf so long. After one bottle of Redline, they worked fine.

Yes, gas additives do work.

I put a bottle of STP Fuel Injector cleaner and a bottle of STP gas treatment in my tank every six months or so.

When I put the treatment in my tour for the first time and drove it for a while, for the treatment to do it's thing, I noticed a great improvement in response and fuel economy!

I do wish though that I could spray some carb cleaner down into the engine but the Haynes manual says that the carb has a special coating on it and to avoid using any cleaners in there.

Stephen