Does Techron really work?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
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From: Back in Nebraska
Does Techron really work?
Hello everyone, just a quick question concerning Techron fuel additive. I have seen on countless threads that the most used fuel injection cleaner is Techron among forum members. My question is this: does it really work? Has anyone actually noticed better performance or better miles per gallon after using it? Or are you using it just because others do? Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,705
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From: Hampton VA
I cant speak for my C7 but I used it in my C4. I had a problem with the fuel gauge not working correctly, after several bottles it must have cleaned the sending unit stuff in the tank and it began working correctly again. I have always heard its good stuff 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
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From: Windermere FL
Yes, it is a miracle, if you need a miracle.
Like the previous poster stated, it is known to clear fuel gauge problems that can cost thousands to replace. I have used it on other cars to get rid of carbon in the combustion chamber that caused pinging problems. But on these direct injection engines, they cannot really clean the valves like on the old regular fuel injected engines.
But like most stuff, too much of a good thing can cause horrible problems. If you dunk a bottle of techron every fill up, you are going to have major problems eventually. Once a year before you change the oil is sufficient as a preventative.
Like the previous poster stated, it is known to clear fuel gauge problems that can cost thousands to replace. I have used it on other cars to get rid of carbon in the combustion chamber that caused pinging problems. But on these direct injection engines, they cannot really clean the valves like on the old regular fuel injected engines.
But like most stuff, too much of a good thing can cause horrible problems. If you dunk a bottle of techron every fill up, you are going to have major problems eventually. Once a year before you change the oil is sufficient as a preventative.
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I use it more for preventive maintenance. I drop a bottle in once/year in both my C5 and C7Z as an extra cleaning boost and it probably has a placebo effect more than anything. The first time I used it was for an 80s era Camaro IROC Z28 I had that also had a fuel gauge issue that went away after I added a bottle so maybe it helps older engines more than newer engines.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2019
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From: Blacksburg Va
I worked for BMW N America in the 80s when they were having a lot of problems w/ crap building up on the intake valves. BMW ended up recommending it officially but had strict recommendations on how much and how often. It can blow past the rings and dilute the oil and wipe bearings. They had many of their service and sales reps run the stuff in their company cars and put them on different schedules. They blew up several of the cars running more than the recommended amount. But it absolutely did clean the intake valves.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
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From: Loveland
GM and the C7 manual says to use top tier fuel. The engine design spec's call for the added cleaners in top tier fuel. It isn't about more power or making the engine run better, it's about keeping it clean. We have all heard of the issues this engine has had. That being said, I fill up at a non top tier station, so I use Techron to replace the cleaning additives the gas doesn't have. I use a few ounces at every fill.
Don't forget cleaning agent and octane are two entirely different issues.
Don't forget cleaning agent and octane are two entirely different issues.
Last edited by kodpkd; Aug 15, 2025 at 08:48 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
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GM for a long time (potential still) has only Chevron Fuel in the tanks at the proving grounds and the tech centers so if M Plates are filled up on site they get Techron automatically. All the testing on dynos was done with Chevron Fuel at some point as well.
This was true when I was working with them in 2010-2012 but it may have changed since then. Top Tier has only been a thing for 21 years, and I don't know when it became common for the big brands to meet the specs, 10 years ago for regular, 15 for premium? Maybe longer. I don't remember it being talked about before 2010 really. I used to add Techron to my C6.
https://www.toptiergas.com/2024/04/2...of-excellence/
This was true when I was working with them in 2010-2012 but it may have changed since then. Top Tier has only been a thing for 21 years, and I don't know when it became common for the big brands to meet the specs, 10 years ago for regular, 15 for premium? Maybe longer. I don't remember it being talked about before 2010 really. I used to add Techron to my C6.
https://www.toptiergas.com/2024/04/2...of-excellence/
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2019
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From: Palm Desert CA
Unfortunately I'm old enough to remember when Chevron started putting Techron in their gas.
I had a friend who owned a station and that's where I filled up all the time. One time he saw me filling up and came over to tell me about Techron. In those days (circa 60's) only premium fuel was getting the Techron. He showed me the filler tube on the regular pump and it was black in the inside from use. Then he showed me the premium pump's and after running Techron through it for a few days it was clean and shining like new.
I have only used Chevron premium ever since in all my cars and have never needed any internal engine work done on any of them. And that covers cars from the US, Japan, and Germany.
I had a friend who owned a station and that's where I filled up all the time. One time he saw me filling up and came over to tell me about Techron. In those days (circa 60's) only premium fuel was getting the Techron. He showed me the filler tube on the regular pump and it was black in the inside from use. Then he showed me the premium pump's and after running Techron through it for a few days it was clean and shining like new.
I have only used Chevron premium ever since in all my cars and have never needed any internal engine work done on any of them. And that covers cars from the US, Japan, and Germany.
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From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
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