How to Buy Fuel Treatments

Fuel treatments or additives are fluids you put directly in your gas tank. They're designed to reduce wear on your engine and deposits on intake valves and manifolds, carburetors and fuel injectors. Additives lubricate engine parts and generally enhance performance.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Owner's manual

1. Check your car owner's manual to see what fuel treatments are recommended, or if the manufacturer recommends against using any at all. Don't gum up your engine with the wrong additive.

2. Figure out which problem with your engine's performance you need to correct. As with cold medicines, you want the specific treatment that addresses your engine's issues.

3. Find treatments for sale at auto-supply stores, at mass-market or discount stores in the auto section, or from your mechanic (16- oz. bottles sell for less than $5).

4. Add the treatment at your next fill-up (usually a full bottle per tank) to the empty tank, then pump gas as usual. Use treatments regularly for maximum effectiveness.

Tips & Warnings

• Fuel treatment may be a simple solution for knocking or hesitating on acceleration. Higher-octane gas, however, is often a cheaper solution. See How to Purchase the Right Gasoline.

[jos924]

on 9/10/2007 For a truly revolutionary product check out www.4planetearth.com/jos924 this is a reformulator not an additive. Non-petroleum, reduces carbon emmissions, increases mileage and is used in both the fuel and crankcase. Proven with over millions of miles of testing, this product is available only thru reps and is not sold in stores. Al Unser III is the new spokes person. Works in gas or diesel engines, 2 stroke or 4. It doesn't matter if you use it in a lawn mower or a million dollar yacht. If you are serious about the prospect of a truly revolutionary product check out the testimonials. Additional web info at www.increasemileage.info

[ericgrau]

on 11/2/2006 Good quality gas already has all the additives you need; fuel treatments are usually unnecessary. www.toptiergas.com has more info. Some fuel treatments do work, but many do not.

on 8/8/2006 Everyone thinks fuel treatments are a great way to clean those carburetors or fuel injectors, and it's true. However, they clean so well that they will, over time, dissolve O-rings in the injectors, as well as various other rubber parts in the fuel system. If your car is doing something that makes you think you need a fuel system cleaner, talk with your mechanic about the symptoms your car is having; it could be something as simple as a partially clogged fuel filter.

on 6/30/2006 I found a fuel treatment that does not dissolve O-rings in the injectors, as well as various other rubber parts in the fuel system. It's called K100 and it seems to work great at removing water. I seen a test on the product and was very surprised.

on 11/22/2005 Check Consumer's Union for the real skinny on gasoline additives (they just lighten your wallet), most contain alcohols or zylenes, plus other exotic-sounding stuff. Very few understand the relationship between octane and timing (there is a way to adjust the initial timing on the newer computer-controlled cars and trucks).