I when I bought my MINI, I read brochures strongly suggesting to use a gas treatment fluid periodically. So far the car is running great and has no issues.

Is the periodical gas treatment really necessary?

Please advise.

Thanks?

 

IF you have a 2007 or newer it is highly recommended that you use Seafoam. Do a search on it and you will see. Welcome aboard.

 

i run injector cleaner every couple of months. you dont wanna wait till you see an issue to treat it. if you dont have an S, run a tank of premium every once in a while too, itll help keep things cleaner.

i mean, cleaner is only a couple bucks, treats a whole tank, sometimes more. tank of gas costs $40+, so, really, whats another $4 3x a year?

 

Have been adding a bottle of Techron every so often since new. Never really saw a noticeable change but what I did see I chalked up to doctor feel good. I had heard a lot about BG44K from our mechanic and friends over the years so I added a can. After a 100 miles or so I could feel that the engine was smoother at idle and cruise. Acceleration was a tad snappier. Only saw a slight improvement in mpg. Overall I was pleased and will add a can at least once a year.

 

On my other cars without DI, I use redline SL1 monthly. On the Mini, I tend to use it less often, about once every two months. With DI, it is not as useful in cleaning the values.

 

where exactly did you read this?

not the owner's manual I'm guessing . . .

I've been a MINI S owner since 2002 and have NEVER run a fuel additive thru either of my MINIs. I do use an ethanol treatment in my Mini but can't swear it does any good except to say that running ethanol enhanced premium provides significantly better performance than the 'premium' I was getting from the local supplier of eth - free. (it performed like mid grade at best and my 79 don't like anything under 92 . . . )

 

I never follow the manual that closely. I use it generally as a starting point. Like I change oil 4-5 times a year and brake fluid 3 times a year. I also follow a breakin procedure for the brakes with is also not in the manual. I never use any brands mini recommends but generally adhere to the specs, such as redline 5w30 oil and motul dot4 brake fluid. I run completely differently alignment specs that what is recommended and also tire pressures.

It is my car so I do what I what to make it handle and drive the way I want. I did this even when the car was under warranty and the Mini dealer just said I took care of the care way better than most.

 

Love that Seafoam. Have used it for years in my chainsaws, mowers, autos and 1520cc goldwing(6 carb)

 

I don't know of anyone who recommends Seafoam except for people on this forum. You will also find threads where it is not recommended.

I'm not sure if the owners manual says to use fuel cleaner but I know that my Mini dealer does. In fact many people in the local Mini forum use it as well. I use it in my cars every 3000 miles. We put one bottle in after filling up the tank. We then run the car half empty and fill it up again. I do this twice and then fill the car normally. I then repeat the process after 3000 miles.

We have had no problems with our cars and it's much easier than the SeaFoam process which to me is a big pain the neck.

But whatever floats your boat is the way to go in my opinion. This way works for us.

 

Mini was selling rebranded techron for a while....
Most fuel has adquate cleaners....
And injector cleaner will not help clean/reduce intake carbon on a direct- injected motor...like a gen2...so beyond using a bottle sometimes....like every 5000-7500 miles...it is just a waste of $$...
And seafoam as a injector cleaner is junk....but ok as a deposit cleaner when introduced into the intake/vacuum system imo.