question about synthetic fuel system cleaner

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by taxce, Dec 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM.

  1. taxce

    taxce Junior Member

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    2010 Prius
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    III
    I stopped by a new place to get my oil changed today (Jiffy Lube) and was caught off guard when they told me I should spend another $35 for their "fresh start treatment package." The bill I was given describes the treatment in more detail: "special package includes throttle muscle oil sys clean FX805 syn fuel system cleaner." This is the first time I've ever been told I needed this when getting an oil change. I found myself wondering if this was really something I needed or just a way for them to make extra money, but the employee pushed it so strongly, talking about the amount of miles I had on my car, and how the system gets gunked up over time, that I thought I had probably better purchase it.

    Does anyone know what this is? Is it actually necessary? or if not necessary, is still it advisable to get a system cleaning of this kind every now and then, and if so, how often does one really need to have it done?
     
    #1 taxce, Dec 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It's snake oil!
    And I made a lot of money from people who went to jiffy lube! Drain plugs not tightened and falling out.
    Oil filters with 2 seals, leaking, Too much oil, too little oil.....

    Go to walfart and get some marvel mystery oil and pour the large bottle in the fuel tank before filling up.
    And you can also use 1 quart in the oil.

    If you are getting fuel from the better gas stations, you likely won't have issues...
     
    #2 ASRDogman, Dec 30, 2025 at 6:53 PM
  3. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    A fuel system cleaner is a good idea to use once a year or every other year, based on how many miles you drive per year. Just buy some Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner at Walmart or an auto parts store and follow the directions on the bottle. You pour it into the gas tank. It is much cheaper than the $35 charged by Jiffy Lube.
     
    #3 Brian1954, Dec 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
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