...fuel additive to our fuel at about every fourth fill-up. Is this standard, and how many of you do this?

 

Go to any car parts store or car accessory section of the department store and pick up a can. Other brands may be preferable over Techron, some more expensive. Get yourself a funnel as well so you don't slosh down the side of the car trying to pour it in the tank. I prefer to put additives in when I need a fill up, I put it in the tank at the station just before pumping the gas so it mixes well.

 

On a gen1 or on a Cooper (non-s) it can help clean stuff up...
But on a direct injected gen 2 s, it can only clean the injectors....
Think every 4th fill up is excessive and $$.

 

+1. AND the Techron formula has changed in recent years and isn't near as good as it used to be.

 

Any idea why they would have changed it?

 

No, however they reduced the amount of the ingredient that did all the cleaning (sorry I don't remember the chemical name). Maybe it was bad for catalytic converters or something.

 

Running a can of something (Techron or other brands) every once in a while cannot hurt, except for the expense. Personally, I put a can of Techron in every 5k miles when I change the oil.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Or you can just use "top tier" gasoline.

http://www.toptiergas.com

 

Techron is a good fuel system cleaner. I've run it in all our cars for years. It will help keep fuel injectors clean in a direct injection engine. It is not going to clean carbon off the valves. For that you need walnuts.

 

My SA told me the same thing, and said to use Chevron over 76 or Mobil.

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