My 05 just turned 70,000 miles. I was wondering if I should start adding some type of additives for engine, injectors, etc.... or if it ain't broke, don't fix it? Thanks.

 

With those types of miles in 8-9 years I would agree with GM that you need to get 6 quarts of Mobil 1 every year and some Top Tier gas whenever you need gas. Nothing else.

 

I always use Mobil 1 and have always put 93 octane in it.

 

93 octane isn't enough. Top Tier 87 octane can keep an engine cleaner and running better than 93 octane "cheap" gas. Top Tier Gasoline has all the additives you need and you do need some there. One reason cheap gas is cheap is ithat t doesn't contain the needed additives.

 

What in your opinion is the best "Top Tier"?

 

I use a bottle of Lucas injector cleaner once a month. Cleans fuel system and carbon build up on valves that hurt performance and gas milage.

 

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

 

Guess I've been using top tier, just didn't know it.

 

Which, IMHO, means you're good for another 140,000 miles with no other additives as GM recommends.

 

Where do you get this information from?

 

I'm a fan of Redline's and Amsoil's fuel system cleaner. It's not something you're likely to notice, but doesn't hurt to add it once in a while.

Using the recommended oil is usually enough for that system.

 

I put a bottle of Techron additive in my tank after every oil change.

 

 

Long post and string a couple of years ago convinced me to use Chevron for a few months and then switch to Shell for another few. I continue switching off between the two. A tank of two of something else isn't terrible, but I feel that between these two company's additives I am covered as well as I can be.

I do not believe in those miracle oil additives and simply use Mobil1 oil and filters. I have tried some of those additives years ago and regret it. If you experience problems, you can not prove that they contributed to it , and they never really live up to their promised hype and promotion.

An antique may be a different story for some because of the modern fuels and lubricants not having some of the additives common in the old days.

 

We use Shell at home and Mobil in Florida (both Top Tier), and add a bottle of GM Fuel System Treatment+ (probably same as Techron) each year, so the engine alternates between three different but very good, gas additives.

 

Techron might migrate into engine oil.

Shouldn't it be used before new oil change to lessen the chance?

 

The GM Fuel Treatment+ bottle, probably Techron (it even has a Chevron symbol on the bottle) recommends using it at every oil change, but I can't recall if that is supposed to be before or after the change.

I had a thread over in bobistheoilguy, someone posted that some fuel additives do cause increased war but Techron isn't one of them. He did not explain how/why he believes that to be true.

Please post if you learn more. I always use mine just before the oil change.

 

If you use top tier gas, there’s little or nothing to be gained from additives. Even the old adage about shifting between top tier brands is less important than it used to be, because all of the top tier additive packages are getting so good. If you go back 10 years ago, company A’s additive might do a smidgen better on injectors, company B’s a smidgen better on valves, company C’s a smidgen better on manifolds, and so forth, so the rotation strategy made some sense. As additives have continued to get better, such differences are shrinking. All of today’s top tier additive packages keep all parts of the engine very clean in 50,000 mile test cycles. When I retired 3 years ago, my company had pretty much given up on showing differences in cleanliness among top tier brands, and was focusing on comparisons to cheapo gas, and on the ability our gas’s additive package to clean up the mess left behind by cheapo gas. If you buy non-top-tier gas, a can of additives now and then might do that sort of cleanup too, but it seems so illogical. Buy cheap gas to save a smidgen, then spend most of those savings on additives, and I’ll guarantee that even with the additives, your engine will end up with more deposits. Where’s the logic in that? And additives in addition to using top tier? Well, ok, you’re not hurting anything other than you wallet. But with today’s top tier packages, it’s not needed.

 

Since the local station stopped carrying Mobil over a year ago I haven't been able to get any so called Top Tier gas. My current choices are Express (whatever that is), Sunoco or Valero. None of them are on the list.

Bill

 

Kind of on topic....

Where youse guys live is Shell premium fuel eight cents per gallon more expensive than Chevron premium fuel, like it is here?