Fuel Additives

In a fair and just world, the "Premium" label for fuel would be challenged as a false claim.

 

If Shell V-power has more cleaning effect than Chevron with Techron, wouldn't it be logical that over the same mileage that a car burning V-power would cleaner than the one using Chevron if both used the fuel exclusively, starting from a clean engine?

 

According to a refinery relative long ago, the higher octane she was blending at that time typically did have slightly lower volumetric energy density than regular octane, because the lower octane could take a greater portion of more energy dense but more easily ignited components. In those circumstances, the lower octane should actually produce better MPG, in engines that could use it.

Was this measurable? It depends on one's definition of "measurable", and the factory can measure lots of things that regular consumers can't. Was it universal? No, it depended on the immediate circumstances of the blending, and different factories have different processes and feedstocks and supplies. Was it consistent? No, there were lots of moving variables and requirements, so things continually changed. Does it still apply today? do not know, many requirements and standards and additives have changed since then, so one would need to find someone closer to the current local business to give an answer.

... only by those who don't know enough definitions of "premium":

 

You aren't thinking this through AND aren't keeping in mind the original premise.

Higher octane fuel DOES burn a bit less efficiently in an engine that is not designed for it.

And if it is far enough off from the spec's that are really needed, it might leave a little extra carbon as a result.

 

Lot of "IFS" in there.
What's your point ?

Maybe one has more cleaner than is really needed.
Nobody knows for sure what really comes out of those underground tanks.
Especially "inland" where ALL of the gas comes from a tank farm at the end of a pipeline.

Do you trust a truck driver or station owner to ALWAYS put the required additive package in with the gas delivery ?
I don't.

 

As I've said repeatedly, my point is that premium fuel with allegedly more detergents supposedly keeps an engine cleaner for longer versus regular, while not really cleaning a dirty engine at all. And if Shell V-power has more detergents and is what someone would choose if their idea is to clean their engine a little, it seems less likely to burn dirtier than regular fuel from Shell or Chevron.

 

Meaning?

 

Here is from an old thread where member Ray posted his correspondence with a BG rep regarding fuel additives and top tier fuel. I think BG is a reputable company so I take them seriously, but if one doesn't that's fine. It's also from 2016 so one could consider possible improvements in fuel over the past five years. Consider the advice or toss it out the window, it's your car. Personally, I run a can of 44K once a year. The first time I used it my car got back some power and the mileage went up so I think it cleaned up some gunked fuel injectors. And the oil immediately got really dirty so it was definitely cleaning up somewhere.


"4) I have used Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner in both the Prius and the 4Runner for years. I am buying Top Tier gas anymore as in the Prius I began to see oil consumption and carbon buildup in the egr system. Should I mix the Chevron and 44K treatments or just do the once a year 44K? I have one bottle of Techron left, so my plan was to use it at the 6 month mark.

--> A few bits of info that might help clear some stuff up. What ever oil your vehicle calls for, use that. What ever octane ( 87, 91 ) you vehicle calls for, use that.Top Tier fuel is better that regular, use that. Regular fuel allows so much carbon buildup over a set amount of time. Top Tier fuel allows the same amount of buildup, but over a longer period of time. This is according to the Top Tier website. The idea that Top Tier fuel will clean your engine is false. But if your engine is clean, it will keep it cleaner longer. It is worth the dollar or two every time you fill up. We developed and own the paten to the best fuel cleaner on the market, 44K, part # 208. Long story short, Chevron bottles it for us, and they get to use a knock off, which is their Techron. I'm not trying to knock them. Techron is a really good product. I've recommended it to a couple people to use in a pinch, when the couldn't get some 44K. Use up what you got. I would recommend doing a full fuel system cleaning every year, or every 15K miles. Which means you are using 44K once a year as part as that service. If you want to throw in some Techron on the 6 month mark, I'm sure it will help. If you want to do that until you use up your standing stock, I'm sure it will help. Make sure you throw it in on a full tank of gas to get the most cleaning out of it."

 

And I have said at least twice that your assessment of the situation is dead WRONG.

Anything in the gas that cleans minor deposits will certainly do SOMETHING toward cleaning worse ones too.
Maybe not enough to help anything in many situations but your claim of "doing nothing" is just simply not right.

 

Some people will believe anything.

 

Will you just STOP IT, please.

"Regular" is an octane grade of gasoline. The way you used that word above just further confuses the issue.

No fuel, by itself, "allows" carbon build up.

I quit. This is ridiculous.

 

Lol. As I've already stated I've claimed nothing as fact, only what I've read. And what you quoted there wasn't my words it was a rep from BG. You've taken some of my words, and of the rep, and distorted them with your own projections and bias and ignored other context.

Every forum has the pedantic bunch. You can only go in so many circles. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Those who are good at communicating know that every statement should stand on it's own merits.
The reader should not have to go back and look for "other context" to try and get the full meaning.

It is YOU who is making incomplete and inaccurate statements......repeatedly.
I quit.

 

LOL. A member asked if using a tank of premium fuel to **clean their fuel system** was worth the extra expense. I replied no and recommended Techron or 44K, then you proceeded to derail the thread by nitpicking what I meant by "will not clean anything" and misquoting me. One won't need to go back through and look for context if they don't project and misjudge in the first place.

 

The "ignore user" function of Prius Chat is a nice option.

I can tell when a thread is off the rails even though the member is on my ignore user list.

But something to consider.

 

Well, I'm out of popcorn. G'night.

 

I just gotta watch to see if there will be a new record for how many times someone quits the same thread.

 

I'll help with that!